The wise elder of Kazakh art

Today, renowned Kazakh film and theater actor and director Asanali Ashimov turns 88, reports Adyrna. The legendary actor was born in 1937 in the Zhambyl region. He graduated from the Almaty Conservatory in 1961 and began working at the “Kazakhfilm” studio. In 1964, he was invited to join the Kazakh Academic Drama Theater. From 1987 to 1988, he served as the theater’s artistic director. At the theater, he was mentored by prominent figures such as S. Kozhamkulov, S. Maikanova, Sh. Aimanov, K. Bokeyeva, and K. Karmysov. Ashimov’s first role on stage was Aidar in the play Abai by M. Auezov and L. Sobolev. He is also well known as a director. Among the plays he staged are N. Gogol’s The Government Inspector, G. Musrepov’s Amangeldi, I. Orazbayev’s Is There a Poison I Haven’t Drunk?!, S. Vanust’s If I Were a Sultan, and Zh. Aimauytov’s Akbilek. He also directed films such as The Year of the Snake, Chokan Valikhanov, and Kozy Korpesh — Bayan Sulu (1995). The esteemed artist has been awarded the “Otan” Order, the M.V. Lomonosov Award, and the “Golden Eagle” Order. He holds the titles of People’s Artist of both the USSR and Kazakhstan, and is a recipient of the USSR State Prize.