GASKAROV, Faizi Adgamovich

GASKAROV, Faizi Adgamovich (10.21. 1912, Birsk — 6.18.1984, Ufa), Choreographer, Dancer. Merited Leader of Arts of the RSFSR (1955) and BASSR (1944). Laureate of the Salavat Yulayev Award of the BASSR (1967). Awarded with the Order of the Badge of Honor (1967). Studied at the Choreographic Technical School of the Bolshoy Theatre (1928–32). Between 1932–37 he taught at the Bashkir Theatre Arts School, simultaneously, Choreographer of Bashkir Drama Theatre and Ufa Russian Drama Theatre; between 1937–38 Soloist of the USSR National Dancing Ensemble (Moscow). Founder and between 1939–70 (part time) Artistic Director of the Bashkir State Folk Dance Ensemble (ref. F.Gaskarov Folk Dance Ensemble). Between 1945–51 he worked in Kazan, between 1957–58 – at the Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theatre. The first professional Bashkir dancer, founder of the stage dance art in Bashkortostan, creator of the classical repertoire of Bashkir folklore dance, introduced new artistic and choreographic themes and stage forms in the Bashkir dance. One of the first to study and adapt Bashkir folk dance allowing to retain its specificity and national character. He reconstructed the Baik dance. Dir. of the first ballet performances at the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theatre (Mountain Legend by A.S.Klucharyov, Crane Song, Zyugra by N.Zhiganov). G. had a significant influence on the aesthetics of the ballet.