2024-07-14 17:11:42
He died in January 2000 – as they say, in the prime of his life. And on July 15, 2024, Mahmud Alisultanovich will be 100 years old.
I was able to talk to the maestro in my student years, although not for long. He often walks around friends and lovers: tall and slender, wearing a coat with a collar, a bright color coat and sensible shoes. I was too shy to approach him even after I met him. What if he doesn’t recognize me? After all, you can’t remember all the adventurers and adventurers!
I thought so, but he never thought so. Mahmud smiles every time we meet and bows wholeheartedly. He finds an opportunity to show attention to a young student, regardless of his high status, international fame and popularity. Not like the current “megastars”, which you can’t even get into a tight Maybach…
Bari Alibasov recalled that during Esambaev’s American tour, Carnegie Hall was sold out every month. Leading politicians, writers, and international movie stars seek meetings with the dance magician. You know someone personally – for example, the Cuban leader Fidel Castro or the famous writer Ernest Hemingway. And he was also friends with some for many years, like the famous Italian artist Robertino Loretti or the French movie stars Jean Marais and Gerard Philippe. Suffice it to say that the unique figure of Mahmud Esambaev was taken in their works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and other great masters. And Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi presented her with a dress with hundreds of precious stones, including diamonds. They say that these priceless masterpieces disappeared in the 90s during the military events in Grozny…
Makhmud Esambaev is not only a great artist, but also an important person. His wisdom, grace and ease of communication were noticed by everyone who happened to be in his company at least once. Singer and producer Yuri Antonov said in his interview that in a modest apartment of Mahmud in the center of Moscow the doors are not closed: guests walk and walk, almost in groups. And for everyone there is time to listen or help if needed. He did not forget anyone, and he never gave up on having a good relationship with anyone. “He has an amazing spirit and kindness,” Yuri Antonov said of his friend Mahmud.
“I worked in an entertainment company in Novorossiysk,” said Said-Khamzat Gerikhanov, a graduate student in the journalism department at the University of Moscow and former editor-in-chief of United Newspapers. – Esambaev’s journey began in the summer. In my ignorance, I shared with my colleagues that Mahmud and I are from a Chechen village – Atagi. And in general, the famous dancer, my father’s friend, visited our house more than once, which is true. “Let’s go to the concert then! – the guys started to agitate. “This is your father’s friend.”
And so we approached the building of the city theater – in our war clothes, in Kirzach. There is no ticket in the box office, just like there is no money in our pockets. And where did the soldiers get their money? I thought: that’s it, the end of my glorious mission.
After some time, a Chaika car came up, from which Esambaev in a bright light suit got out. Dozens of people immediately surrounded him, shouting, shouting – you will not get close to him! Mahmud looked at everyone, including those standing on the side, and, in the fact that he got me out of this crowd, he pointed to me: “Why didn’t you come in?”
I immediately realized that there were no tickets. Besides, my friends and colleagues are here with me.
“Take everyone away! – Mahmud ordered, speaking to the organizers. “And put me in the first row.”
IT was already sweaty with confusion. The whole football team, eleven people. Where are they going?! “There’s no point there,” he tried to answer. “On the way to the future are the mid-career players!” “No good,” replied Mahmud again, “they will sit with the soldiers.”
… Many years later they met at an official event in Moscow, and at the same table. Side-Khamzat decided to remind about that funny incident and thank him once again for inviting the whole company to the concert. “I remember,” Mahmoud replied. “You’re the one sitting in the front row with the midfielders on your knees…”
He is called “the man of rest” for his rare ability to create an atmosphere of light, fun and kindness around him, although life itself is not very exciting. Obviously, at these times he himself was charged with a positive aura. Mahmud stands as good in his family – in communication with his wife Nina Arkadyevna, daughter Stella and grandchildren.
“We always have high spirits because it is at home,” Stella Esambaeva told the author of these lines. “I don’t remember being tired when we stayed together.” If you are close to the father, there is a joy of his explosion around. You know, he was a very nice person, with a great sense of humor.
Once, a group of Russian artists led by Makhmud Esambaev, head of the International Union of Variety Artists, headed to Baku for the anniversary of the legendary Polad Bulbul oglu.
“It seems that recently we welcomed Polad’s father, the legendary Bulbul, here,” Mahmud began, “and now we are celebrating Polad’s own half-century.” So that the newly-minted “elder” does not forget about life, I brought him a beautiful Caucasian hat…
Polad decided to support his older colleague with a humorous comment:
– Mahmoud, the hat on your head is even better!
Esambaev stopped, took off his tall astrakhan hat and threw it at Polad, who was sitting opposite, with the words:
– Get it! My head is better too!
Homeric laughter rang out in the hall.
Mahmud admitted more than once that when he went on stage, he did not know in advance what he would talk about the audience during the breaks between dances. Thoughts and words arise spontaneously. Therefore, all his actions are improvised and impromptu. Fascinating stories from a rich artistic life, interesting stories, adapted by the imagination of the storyteller himself, appeal to everyone precisely because of their uniqueness and novelty. You can turn any difficult situation, any drama into a joke with one or two sentences, removing the tension of the audience and lifting their spirits.
At one time, a gala concert was held in the opera house in Yerevan. The speakers talked for a long time about the amazing fate of the Armenians, who were groaning for centuries under the yoke of great empires. When Mahmoud was given the floor, he walked up to the microphone and said with a serious look:
“I understand the pain and suffering of Armenians like no one else!” Since I myself continued to languish under the yoke of Armenia for more than half a century…
The hall of the opera house literally exploded with applause. In Armenia, everyone knows that his wife Nina Khanumyants is Armenian by origin. Needless to say, the next concert was a huge success!
But in Esambaev’s life and work, not everything is easy and pleasant. At the age of 16, while working with a game team on the front line of the Red Army, he was seriously injured. Then – moving to Central Asia, where he went after his parents, although he had an official reservation. Having recovered his health a little, he continued his work in the Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theater.
In 1957 he participated in the Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow, where he won all the first prizes and won three gold medals. He was immediately in a group of ballet dancers flying out on tour to France and the American continent. By the way, this is the “landing” after the first war of Soviet artists abroad, among whom stood a tall and graceful dancer with the unusual “Russian” name of Mahmud.
His unique dances aroused the interest of foreign viewers. What impressed young Esambaev the most was that he managed to master complex Latin American dances, which are taught since childhood and which are considered almost a ritual, during the trip. Mahmud and his companions performed them in every subsequent city, causing an uproar from the people. And this, of course, is perceived as a sign of deep respect for the culture of the Latin American people. Local newspapers wrote: “Why, when the Americans come to us, they only see money, but the Soviet stars see our souls. They dance our people “Khoropo” in the way our people dance, and even more beautiful and soulful.”
Esambaev’s own fond memories of the farewell concert in Caracas are referenced in his story by Gennady Pozhidaev. “And so we went on stage in Venezuelan national costumes and started their favorite folk dance. From the first computer, all the viewers stood up and started clapping later, and we ended to a thunderous applause. It was as if doves were flying in the hall: women waving hats, men waving hats. The whole hall shouted: “Bravo!”, “Encore!”, “Thank you, Rus!” The dance was repeated two more times, after which a crowd of thousands rushed onto the stage. They took us into the hall. And there is no hand that cannot reach us. Weeping continued in the hall, and this was made known to us, and we wept. A living person cannot cry because of what is happening here. Then we signed autographs until three in the morning and lines of cars followed us to the hotel. In the morning, at the airport, thousands of people saw off our side to Rio de Janeiro…”
Unfortunately, it is impossible to end the conversation on this positive note. During his long creative life, Makhmud Esambaev gave millions a lot of joy, positive emotions and showed the whole world the beauty of our world art. And, perhaps, you deserve to remember your name not only on the days around …
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