P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Iraj Bashiri

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Sobirova was also successful in the performance of psychologically

deep characters. In the characters of Zhizelle in Zhizel'(Zhizel), Zarrina
in Qissai Kuhsor (The Story of the Mountain), and Sa'oda in Pisari
Vatan (Son of the Homeland), she projected some of the most poignant
elements of loyalty and artistry.
Sobirova's concert activities began in 1964. The following are the
roles that she performed: Odetta in Kuli Quvon (Swan Lake), by P.
Tchaikowsky, 1962); Zhizelle in Zhizel' (Zhizel), by A. Adan, 1963;
Kitri in Don-Kikhot (Don Quixote), by L. Minkus, 1968; and many
others.
Sobirova also contributed to a number of artistic and documentary
motion pictures including 1002 Shab (1002 Nights, 1966); Malika
(Queen, 1967); and Qissai Sharqi (Eastern Tale, 1972).
Sobirova became a People's Artist of the Soviet Union in 1947. She
won the Conservatory Prize in Classical Ballet in Varna in 1964, the
Rudaki State Prize in 1967, and the International Ballet Concourse in
1969. She was the recipient of a number of national accolades, includ-
ing the Lenin Komsomol Prize (1967), the Order of the Red Banner of
Labor, the Badge of Honor, and many other medals.
Sobirova died in 1982.
Sobirzoda, Abdulhay
Tajik poet Abdulhay Sobirzoda was born in 1869 in the village of
Chahormaghzak in Qarotegin . He received his early education first
from his father, and later, at the schools of Quqand. Most of his life was
spent as a farmer in Qarotegin. His legacy consists of two works: one is
a divan (collection of poems) with 170 ghazals, several mukhammases,
and 74 ruba'is. The other is a Munojotnoma (Book of Incantations). The
theme of his poetry deals with the atrocities of oppressive rulers, praise
for love, and general ethical concerns.
Sobirzoda died in Qarotegin in 1951.
Sodiqov, Ma'ruf
Tajik historian Ma'ruf Sodiqovich Sodiqov was born on December
21, 1908, into a family of poor farmers in the village of Rugund in
Uroteppa. He joined the CPSU in 1929.
Sodiqov graduated from the Central Asian Communist University in
1930 and from the Communist University of Eastern Laborers in Mos-

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