Acting troupe in the play Ashig Garib. Derbent, USSR. 1984. First row – from left to right: Katya, Bikel Matatova. Second row – from left to right: musician Israel Izrailov, Roman Izyaev, Avshalum Nakhshunov, Raziil Ilyaguev, Abram Avdalimov. Third row – from left to right: Ilizir Abramov, Anatoly Yusupov, Israel Tsvaygenbaum.
The Judeo-Tat Theatre in Derbent, Dagestan, Russia specializes in staging plays with themes related to the lives of Mountain Jews, which are created mainly by Mountain Jews. The plays are performed in the Judeo-Tat language (Juhuri).
Actors of the Judeo-Tat Theatre. Dagestan, USSR. 1936. Standing: Isai Mardakhaev, first from the left, Shafad'yo Shafadov – in the center (wearing a white hat), Baaz Avdalimov – first from the right. Sitting – from left to right: Termo Davidova, Senem Izilova, Momo Sadykova.
Traditionally, the Judeo-Tat Theatre created and performed works in Derbent, since that is where most of the Mountain Jews lived. The first theatrical event by Mountain Jews took place in December 1903,[1] when Asaf Agarunov, a teacher and a Zionist, staged a story by Naum Shoykovich, translated from Hebrew, "The Burn for Burn," and staged it in honor of schoolteacher Nagdimuna ben Simona’s (Shimunov) wedding.[1]
In 1918, a drama studio was opened in Derbent, headed by Rabbi Yashaiyo Rabinovich.[1] Since 1924, the Mountain Jewish collective began to be called the cultural and educational circle of Mountain Jewish youth, abbreviated as (Russian: Кружок ГЕМ) – "GEM Circle." It was headed by Yuno Semyonov (1899–1961) and Manashir Shalumov.[2]
In 1924, Yuno Semyonov put on two plays in the Derbent Mountain Jews circle – "Two leather sellers" and "A cunning matchmaker."[2]
In 1935, the first Soviet Union theatre opened in Derbent, which included three troupes – Russian, Mountain Jews and Turk. It was based on drama circles, which were led by Manashir and Khanum Shalumov. Initially, in the circle, men played the female roles. Later, women began to take part in the theatre.[2] A period of prosperity began: many performances were staged. In 1939, the Judeo-Tat theatre was the winner of the festival of theatres in Dagestan. The music for the play was written by the theater’s composer and musical director, Jumshud (Shumshun) Shevanyevich Ashurov (1913–1980), "Honored Artist of Dagestan." At the beginning of 1941, the theatre held rehearsals of the play "The Rift" by Boris Lavrenyov and "Aydin" by Jafar Jabbarly.[2]
The drama group in Gyrmyzy Gasaba in Azerbaijan
Judeo-Tat drama group in Gyrmyzy Gasaba, Azerbaijan. 1932.
From 1920 to 1932, the Judeo-Tat drama group was active in the Mountain Jews settlement in Gyrmyzy Gasaba in Azerbaijan.[2]
Theatre during World War II
Actor Ilizir (Ilyusha) Abramov. Judeo-Tat theatre. Derbent, USSR. 1980.
During World War II, most of the actors were drafted into the army. Many theatre actors died in the war.[3] In 1943, the theatre resumed its work, and in 1948 it was closed. The official reason was its unprofitability.[3]
Post-war period
Actors of the Judeo-Tat's theatre "Rambam": Roman Izyaev & Rambam Mishiev. Israel. 2011.
On April 28, 1959, the board of the Stalincollective farm appealed to the city’s party committee, requesting to create a Mountain Jews people's theatre as an amateur art circle.
Pyotr Rafailovich Agarunov (1930–2006), "Excellent worker of the USSR State Television and Radio Broadcasting," was invited from Baku to organize the further work of the theatre. Musaib Mammadalievich Jum Jum (1905–1974) who was of Azerbaijani descent, was invited to be theater director, and was called the "People's Artist of the DASSR." He was very familiar with the language and culture of the Mountain Jews. The composer Jumshud (Shumshun) Shevanyevich Ashurov was appointed music director. Mikhail Gavrilov (1926–2014), "Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan," was the administrator.[3]
In the 1960s, the theatre resumed its activities and experienced its second heyday. The actress, the audience's favorite, Akhso Ilyaguevna Shalumova (1909-1985), "Honored Artist of the Dagestan ASSR" returned to the theatre. [3] She played the role of (Juhuri:Шими Дербенди) – Shimi Derbendi's wife – Shahnugor, based on the stories of writer Hizgil Avshalumov.[3]
In the 1970s, the People's Judeo-Tat Theatre was organized. For many years, its director was Abram Avdalimov (1929-2004), "Honored Cultural Worker of the Dagestan ASSR," singer, actor and playwright. His successor was Roman Izyaev (1940–2018), who was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour for his meritorious service.[3]
In the 1990s, the Judeo-Tat Theatre experienced another crisis: it rarely held performances and did not have any premieres. Only in 2000, when it became a municipal theater, was it able to resume its activity. From 2000 to 2002, the theatre was headed by actor and musician Raziil Semenovich Ilyaguev (1945–2016), "Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan." For the next two years the theatre was headed by Alesya Isakova.
In 2004, Lev Yakovlevich Manakhimov (1950–2021), "Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan," became the artistic director of the theatre. After the death of Manakhimov, Boris Yudaev became the head of the theatre.
For a long period in the life of the Judeo-Tat theatre, many actors have performed on its stage, such as Bikel Peisakhovna Matatova (1928–2013), "Honored Workers of Culture of the Dagestan ASSR," Avshalum Yakubovich Nakhshunov (Shori-Artist) (1925–1997), "People’s Artist of the Republic of Dagestan," Mozol Aleksandrovna Izrailova, "Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan," Anatoly Yusupov, Raya Novakhova, Israel Tsvaygenbaum, Eva Shalver – Abramova and many others.
The founding of a theatre in Israel
In 2001, the artistic director, actor, screenwriter and decorator Roman Izyaev founded the Mountain Jews' theater "Rambam" in the Israeli city of Hadera.[4] The collective has toured not only cities where Mountain Jews live in Israel, but also Canada, the United States, Azerbaijan and Moscow, Russia.
After the death of Roman Savievich Izyaev in 2018, Eva Shalver - Abramova became the chief director of the theater "Rambam.”
Related Research Articles
Derbent, formerly romanized as Derbend, is a city in Dagestan, Russia, located on the Caspian Sea. It is the southernmost city in Russia, and it is the second-most important city of Dagestan. Derbent occupies the narrow gateway between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains connecting the Eurasian Steppe to the north and the Iranian Plateau to the south; covering an area of 69.63 square kilometres (26.88 sq mi), with a population of roughly 120,000 residents.
Mountain Jews or Caucasus Jews also known as Juhuro,Juvuro,Juhuri,Juwuri, Juhurim,Kavkazi Jews or Gorsky Jews are Jews of the eastern and northern Caucasus, mainly Azerbaijan, and various republics in the Russian Federation: Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Kabardino-Balkaria. The Mountain Jews are the descendants of Persian Jews from Iran. Mountain Jews took shape as a community after Qajar Iran ceded the areas in which they lived to the Russian Empire as part of the Treaty of Gulistan of 1813.
The Tat people are an Iranian people presently living within Azerbaijan and Russia. The Tats are part of the indigenous peoples of Iranian origin in the Caucasus.
Judeo-Tat or Juhuri is the traditional language of the Mountain Jews of the eastern Caucasus Mountains, especially Azerbaijan and Dagestan, now mainly spoken in Israel.
Israel Tsvaygenbaum, is a Russian-American artist of Jewish descent. A number of his works are in the Museum of Imitative Arts, Derbent.
Sergey Davidovich Izgiyayev was a member of the Union of Soviet Writers, the author of nine books of poetry and five plays, the translator and creator of lyrics for more than thirty songs. He was of Mountain Jew descent.
Hizgil Davidovich Avshalumov was a soviet novelist, poet and playwright. He wrote in languages of the Mountain Jews (Juhuri) and Russian. He was awarded the Suleyman Stalsky award. He was a USSR Union of Writers member.
Tankho Selimovich Izrailov was a Soviet Dagestan ballet dancer, a ballet master, a choreographer, and of Mountain Jewish origin. He was awarded the honorary title People's Artist of the USSR.
The national emblem of the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was adopted in 1937 by the government of the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. The emblem is identical to the emblem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
Zoya Yunoevna Semenduyeva was a Soviet and Israeli poet. She wrote in a language of the Mountain Jew (Juhuri). She was a member of Dagestan Writers' Union.
Judeo-Tat literature is the literature of the Mountain Jews in the Juhuri language.
Daniil Atnilov was a Soviet poet of Mountain Jew origin. He wrote in a language of the Mountain Jew (Juhuri). He was a USSR Union of Writers member.
Boris Gavrilov was a Soviet writer, poet, dramatist and teacher of Mountain Jew origin. He wrote in a language of the Mountain Jews (Juhuri). He was the founder of the Mountain Jews school. He was a compiler of the first grammar, textbooks and dictionary in Judeo-Tat.
Manuvakh Dadashev was a Soviet poet of Mountain Jew origin. He wrote in a language of the Mountain Jew (Juhuri).
Mikhail Gavrilov was a Soviet writer and poet of Mountain Jew descent. He wrote in Judeo-Tat and Russian. Mikhail Gavrilov held the title of Honored Worker of Culture of Dagestan.
Yakov Agarunov was a Mountain Jew poet, playwright, political and public figure of Azerbaijan, author of the new Mountain Jewish alphabet. He wrote in Judeo-Tat.
Roman Savievich Izyaev was a Soviet, Russian and Israeli stage actor, artistic director, screenwriter and scenic designer of the Judeo-Tat theatre. For his contributions to the development of domestic theatrical art and many years of creative activity awarded with the Order of the Badge of Honour (1985). Founder and artistic director of the first Judeo-Tat language theater "Rambam" in Israel (2001-2017). He has performed with his theater in many cities in Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Canada and the United States.
Abram Borisovich Avdalimov was a Soviet, Russian folk singer, stage actor and theatre director. Honored Worker of Culture of the Dagestan ASSR (1967). Co-founder of the Judeo-Tat theatre in Dagestan. He made a great contribution to the development of Dagestan culture.
Yuno Shaulovich Semyonov was a Soviet Union prose writer, playwright and artistic director. He wrote in the Judeo-Tat language. His work was characterized by plays on the topics of the day, full of sarcasm and humor. He was one of the founders of the Judeo-Tat theatre in Derbent.
The Jewish community of Derbent, a city in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, is the oldest in the North Caucasus and dates back to the 7th century. A large influx of Jewish immigrants occurred during the Russian Civil War (1917-1923). Most Derbent Jews immigrated from the mountain and steppe villages of the northern Caucasus.
References
1 2 3 Book (ru:«Татская литература») – "Judeo-Tat literature" by Musakhanova G. B., Makhachkala, Russia. 1993.
1 2 3 4 5 P. R. Agarunov. (ru:«Театральное искусство горских евреев») - "Theatrical art of Mountain Jews". Magazine (ru:«Миньян») - "Minyan", №5.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Book (ru:«Самородки Дагестана») – "Gifted of Dagestan" by Mikhailova I. X., Makhachkala, Russia. 2014.
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