Tatar theaters: history and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Tatar culture, like any other, is very distinctive and original. It developed along a unique and inimitable path, but at one moment it became closely intertwined with Russian traditions and customs. Thanks to this union, exceptional cultural phenomena were born that shaped the face of modern Tatarstan and its capital Kazan. Today, this city is considered one of the key cultural centers of the country, where Tatar theaters thrive. What is their history and what makes them special?

History of the Tatar theater and dramaturgy

Tatar drama is considered relatively young, because it has existed for a little over a century. The date of foundation of the Tatar theater is traditionally considered 1906. Then, on May 5, the performance in the Tatar language was presented to the general public for the first time. It was an adaptation of the drama Pitiful Child written by Turkish author Namik Kemal. Previously, this work was played only in home theaters and various themed clubs. The initiative to expand the circle of viewers and make this production more public belonged to an activist of the then popularliterary and artistic circle "Shimbe" or "Saturday", Ibragim Teregulov. It was a charity performance in which amateur actors and enthusiasts played. However, the production was very warmly received by the audience. This event is considered the beginning of the existence of the Tatar theater.

However, the original Tatar drama originated a little earlier, back in 1887. At that time, the first works of such national playwrights as Gabdrakhman Ilyasi, Fatih Khalidi and Galiaskar Kamal appeared, with whose name the birth of national dramaturgy is associated. Russian and Turkish literary traditions, as well as the active development of the Tatar theater, had a strong influence on the formation of the literature of the Tatar people. Dramaturgy met the requirements of the time. In the pre-revolutionary period, the hero was in the center of the action, who was trying to find out who he was and what his place in society was. After the revolution, his priorities change, he becomes loyal to proletarian ideas and is ready to sacrifice himself for them. United by a common reality and historical events, Russian and Tatar drama became very similar and promoted the same ideals. However, the national flavor and unique style of the authors still distinguished them.

Famous Tatar playwrights and actors

Galiaskar Kamal is considered a classic of Tatar drama. His debut play "The Unfortunate Youth" was a discovery and a national innovation. He was followed by other interesting authors who worked in the genre of drama, comedy, melodrama, musicaldrama. The most prominent of these are the following playwrights:

• Galiaskar Kamal ("Bankrupt", "Because of a Gift", "Mistress", "Secrets of Our City").
• Gayaz Iskhaki ("Doomsday", "Zuleikha", "Teacher").
• Fatih Amirkhan ("Youth").
• Karim Tinchurin ("First Flowers", "Blue Shawl", "American").
• Mirkhaydar Fayzi ("Miserable", "Pugachev in Kazan", "Galiabanu", "Tukai").
• Naki Isanbet ("Maryam", "Escape", "Mullanur Vakhitov").

Streets and Tatar theaters are named after these writers in Tatarstan.

Musa Jalil Opera and Ballet Theatre

The Kazan Opera House is one of the largest in all of Russia. The Tatar Opera and Ballet Theatre, named after the heroic Tatar poet Musa Jalil, opened in 1939. The first production was the opera "Kachkyn" by Nazib Zhiganov, which in translation means "The Fugitive". The first troupe was made up of graduates of the Moscow State Conservatory, whose goal was the development of national musical culture. Today, international festivals are organized here in honor of Fyodor Chaliapin and Rudolf Nureyev. In 2009, FORBES magazine recognized the Tatar Opera Theater as the second in all of Russia in terms of the number of spectators.

The theater troupe tours not only in Russian cities, but also in Western Europe. The repertoire includes works by Tatar authors, as well as Russian and foreign composers.

Galiaskar Kamal Theater

The theater was named after its founder, Galiaskar Kamal. It is interesting that he acquired the premises only in 1917, at the same time he began to receive financial support from the state. Famous Tatar actors and playwrights started their careers here. A kind of revolution in the world of the national theater also took place here - for the first time a woman, Sahibzhamal Gizzatullina-Volzhskaya, appeared on the stage as an actress. Up to this point, according to Sharia law, all roles in performances were played by men.

The Tatar academic theater has several impressive awards. In 1957, he was awarded the Order of Lenin, and a little later - the Gabdulla Tukay Prize for the brilliant production of the play "My Poplar in a Red Scarf" by Chingiz Aitmatov. Various festivals are also held here: the Turkic festival "Nauruz" and the festival of young Tatar directors "Craft".

Today all performances in the theater are in the Tatar language. The administration took care of Russian and foreign viewers. Visitors can rent special headphones and watch the performance with simultaneous translation into Russian and English.

V. I. Kachalov Theater

One of the oldest theaters in the city, the Drama Theater named after Kachalov, is located on the main pedestrian street of Kazan. It is named after V. I. Kachalov, an actor who played in it at the beginning of the twentieth century. In this theater, bright cultural events took place, for example, the debut of the legendaryFyodor Chaliapin, from whom his theatrical life began. At the end of the 19th century, A. M. Gorky performed here. Around the same time, the theater was recognized as the best among all the provincial theaters in Russia.

Plays by Russian, Tatar and foreign classics are staged here. The performances are in Russian. The theater has two stages, small and large, designed for a different number of guests.

Karim Tinchurin Theater

The Tatar State Drama and Comedy Theater was founded in 1933 by Karim Tinchurin. Later, the theater began to be named after him, and in 1988 he finally settled in Kazan. The first play was "The Bulat Babai Family", written by the founder together with Kavi Najmi. Then the new troupe of the theater, consisting of talented artists, was mobile and the premiere took place in the village of Shali.

The main repertoire of the Tatar Drama Theater was and remains the work of the Tatar classics. At the same time, plays by Russian and foreign writers are staged on its stage. Performances are in Tatar, but you can also rent headphones for translation into Russian.

Viewer Reviews

The impressions of residents and guests of the city about the Tatar theaters are positive. Spectators note the good play of the actors, the convenience of the location and the interesting interiors of the theaters, where during intermissions you can get to know their history better. The disadvantages of the visitors include the poor quality of the simultaneous translation of Tatar performances into Russian.