Abror Hidoyatov

The great Uzbek actor Abror Hidoyatov was born in Tashkent in 1900. Having a love for art from a young age, Abror Hidoyatov became literate at an old-style school. In 1918, Mannon Uygur founded the Uzbek State Drama Theater and invited young people such as Obid Jalilov, Sayfi Qori Alimov, and Abror Hidoyatov to join it.

Nemat in G. Zafariy's "Halima," Asker in U. Hajibekov's "Arshin Mal Alan," and Wurm in Schiller's "Intrigue and Love" were the first roles created by A. Hidoyatov on the theater stage.

Abror Hidoyatov, who was demanding of himself and others, was not always satisfied with these created roles. Deeply feeling that perfect knowledge and great skill were necessary to become a true actor, he entered the Uzbek theater studio in Moscow and studied under artists such as V. Kansel, R. Simonov, I. Tolchanov, O. Basov, and M. Sverdlin, acquiring deep theoretical and practical knowledge of the secrets of realistic stage art.

In the plays staged at the Uzbek theater studio, he created the roles of Gorgagon in Moliere's "The Miser" and Skvoznik Dmukhanovsky in Gogol's "The Government Inspector." Overall, studying at the Moscow studio had a significant impact on A. Hidoyatov's future creative trajectory.

Between 1927 and 1935, A. Hidoyatov performed roles such as Sarimsoq in K. Yashin's "We Will Kindle," Rustam in U. Ismoilov's "Rustam," Shopur in Khurshid's "Farhad and Shirin," and Frandoso in Lope de Vega's "Fuenteovejuna," gradually rising up the creative ladder and preparing seriously for the creation of mature roles.

In 1935, the premiere of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet" took place at the Hamza Theater. The actor performed the role of Hamlet in this play, directed by Mannon Uygur, and the performance achieved great success among the people. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the "Hamlet" play, and especially the character of Hamlet, was a major event in the history of Uzbek theatrical art.

Because the work won the love of the audience, it was shown for 21 consecutive days. The theater community and foreign art fans were amazed by the performance and the character of Hamlet. Indeed, the character of Hamlet created by A. Hidoyatov was a great achievement not only on the stage of the Uzbek theater but also in world theatrical art.

In 1939, director Ya. Bobojonov staged Hamza's "Rich and Servant," and the role of Gofur in the work was entrusted to A. Hidoyatov. After Hamlet, Gofur remained the most vivid character role the actor had ever created. Another one of the most brilliant roles created by the artist on the stage of the Hamza Theater, which brought the actor great fame, was the role of Othello in Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello," staged by N. V. Ladigin and M. Uygur in 1941.

Art fans from our homeland and abroad gave high praise to the play, the actors' talent, and their performance. In 1945, the British Parliamentary delegation wrote in the theater's guest book: "We have never seen a play so well staged anywhere, not even in London.

We were especially impressed by the skill of the artists who played the roles of Othello and Desdemona." The actor played the role of Othello 500 times over 18 years. In general, Abror Hidoyatov's services in making Shakespeare's work appreciated by the Uzbek people were immense. Later, Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" was staged at the Uzbek State Academic Drama Theater named after Hamza and the Drama Theater named after A. Hidoyatov.

Without belittling these productions, it must be said that the Othello in them cannot be compared to A. Hidoyatov's Othello. Because A. Hidoyatov's Othello is an immortal example of unique art.

A. Hidoyatov also created roles in Uzbek historical dramas that deserve great attention, such as Muqanna in H. Olimjon's "Muqanna" (1943), Temur Malik in M. Shayxzoda's "Jalaluddin" (1943), and Alisher Navoi in Uygun and Izzat Sultan's "Alisher Navoi" (1945).

"Abror Hidoyatov was a powerful actor who had his own audience," says People's Artist of Uzbekistan Mahmudjon Gofurov, "I have seen Abror-aka in the roles of Gofur, Hamlet, Alisher Navoi, and Othello. Later, he gave the roles of Hamlet and Alisher Navoi to Olim Khojayev and Gofur to Shukur Burkhanov, and he himself only played Othello.

Abror-aka was the real Othello. I cannot accept any actor other than Abror-aka in the role of Othello. After Abror Hidoyatov's death, Shukur Burkhanov could have played the role of Othello. But he did not. Because Othello in Abror Hidoyatov's performance had taken a deep place in the hearts of the audience. Abror Hidoyatov was a master of tragic roles."

One of the vivid roles created by Abror Hidoyatov in Uzbek cinematic art was the role of Sardor in the film "Tahir and Zuhra," filmed in 1945.

Abror Hidoyatov lived for many years with his life partner, the famous master of art Sora Eshontoraeva, they created together, created immortal images, raised wise and intelligent children worthy of envy, and trained worthy students.

The beloved son of our people, Abror Hidoyatov, passed away in Tashkent in 1958. One of the central streets in Tashkent is named after him. The A. Hidoyatov Drama Theater is operating in our capital. Director Bobo Khojayev created a film about Abror Hidoyatov.

The immortal memory of the famous Uzbek artist lives forever in the hearts of our people. On the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for his great contribution to the development of national Uzbek culture, Abror Hidoyatov was awarded the "For Great Services" order. The cultural community of our republic celebrated the 100th anniversary of the artist's birth in 2000.