P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Rahmat Nazri
See Nazriev, Rahmat.
Rahmatova, Nuqra
Tajik singer-composer Nuqra Rahmatova was born in the village of
Bartang of Rushon, Badakhshan, on January 2, 1942. She received her
early education in public schools.
Rahmatova's career began as an amateur singer and dancer. In 1958,
she became the soloist for the Tarona Ensemble and danced for the
Tajikistan State Philharmonic Society. Between 1963 and 1967, she was
a student of voice at Dushanbe Institute of Music. In 1967, she became
the soloist for the Maqomkhoni Ensemble. Her repertoire consisted of
the popular songs of the Soviet Union (Tajik, Uzbek, Azeri, Russian),
as well as of eastern lands (Afghanistan, Iran, the Arab lands). As a
member of the State Philharmonic Society, she has performed in con-
certs in Afghanistan, Mongolia, Syria, and Iraq.
Rahmatova's forté is in performing songs based on lyrics. She played
the role of the girl from the highlands in the 1960 production of Kovai
Ohangar (Kaveh the Blacksmith). She participated in the 1957 Youth
Festival in Moscow, as well as in the 10
th
Anniversary of Tajik Litera-
ture in Kyrgyzstan in 1976.
Rahmatova became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1977 and won
the Prizes of the Central Committee of the Union of Workers and of
Radio and Television.
Although retired, Rahmatova continues to participate in major con-
certs and events. Most recently, she was invited by the Agha Khan Fund
to go to Europe with a group of Badakhshani artists.

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Prominent Tajik Figures of the Twentieth Century

265
Rahmatulloev, Hojiqul

Tajik actor-director Hojiqul Rahmatulloev was born in Bukhara on
May 15, 1909. He began his acting career at the age of 12. He joined the
CPSU in 1958.
In 1921, he studied at the Bukhara Pedagogical Institute while acting
with an amateur group called Forobi, sponsored by the Ministry of
Culture of the Republic.
Rahmatulloev's first role was that of a girl called Ocia in U. Hojibe-
kov's Orshin Mololon (Arshin Malalan). In 1922, he became an actor in
the Bukhara State Theater. After finishing the second course in the
Pedagogical School, he went to Moscow and entered the Institute of
Theater Arts. Upon finishing his studies, he joined the Hamza Theater.
From 1936 to 1971, he was actor-director at the Lahuti Academy of
Dramatic arts. Here he created a series of outstanding characters, in-
cluding, Mirbadal, Khorkash, and Bal'ami in Shodmon (Happy, 1939),
Kaltadoroni Surkh (Red Club Wielders, 1941) and Rudaki (Rudaki,
1958).
During 1964 and 1965, he worked as director and consultant for the
National Theater of Afghanistan.
Rahmatulloev's characters are focused, well-mannered, and well-in-
tentioned. He pays particular attention to the psychological aspects of
his characters. In addition, Rahmatulloev has brought the works of
many of the major writers of Tajikistan to the stage. These include, Dili
Modar (A Mother's Heart, 1942); Shabi Bistu Hashtum (The 28
th
 Night,
1946); Dukhtari Nokom (Unfulfilled Girl, 1950); and others.
He has also played a number of major characters in motion pictures.
These include Rudaki in Qismati Sho'ir (The Lot of the Poet, 1959);
Ruhom in Bairaqi Ohingar (The Banner of the Blacksmith, 1961);
Kaikovus in Dostoni Rustam (The Story of Rustam, 1972); and others.
Rahmatulloev was recognized as a People's Artist of Tajikistan in
1957. He also received the Red Banner of Labor, the Badge of Honor,
five medals, and the Honorary Award of the Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of Tajikistan.
Rahmatulloev died on March 25, 1993.