Baluan Sholak (, ''Baluan Şolaq''; 1864–1919), was a Kazakh Turkic composer, singer, poet,

dombra The dombra, also known as dombyra (; ) is a long-necked musical string instrument used by the Kazakhs, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Nogais, Bashkirs, and Tatars in their traditional folk music. The dombra shares certain characteristics with the ko ...

player,

dzhigit ''Jigit'' (also spelled as ''Dzhigit'', ''yigit'', ''zhigit'' or ''igid'') is a word used in the North Caucasus and Central Asia to describe a skillful and brave equestrian, or a brave person in general. The word is of Turkic origin.Great Sovi ...

and wrestler.

Biography

Baluan Sholak was born on 11 December 1864, in the village of Karaotkel near the Khan mountains in modern

Akmola Province Akmola Region (, ; ) is a centrally located region of Kazakhstan. It was known as Tselinograd Oblast during Soviet rule. Its capital is Kökşetau. The national capital, Astana, is enclosed by the region, but is politically separate from Aqmola R ...

Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire that spanned most of northern Eurasia from its establishment in November 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in September 1917. At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about , roughl ...

, and was named Nurmagambet Baymyrzauly. He was the son of a carpenter. At a young age he lost his fingers in an accident when his right hand was burnt, and became known as Baluan Sholak, "Fingerless Fighter". He started fighting at the age of fourteen and gained a reputation as an invincible wrestler. He also gained fame as a singer of Kazakh songs, composing and performing music by Birzhan Kozhagulova and Achan Seri, and as an akyn (poet-improviser). He travelled through

Kokshetau Kokshetau (; , ; rus, Кокшета́у, p=kəkʂɛ'taʊ; ), formerly known as Kokchetav (; ) between 1868 and 1993, is a lakeside city in northern Kazakhstan and the capital of Akmola Region. It stretches along the southern shore of Lak ...

, Karaotkel, Bayan-Aul, Irtysh, and Sarysu, staging performances with his ensemble of

players, singers, storytellers, jockeys and wrestlers. Some of his songs became very popular in Kazakhstan, including ''Галия'' (''Galiya''), dedicated to his beloved Galiya, and ''Сентябрь'' (''September''). He was also an accomplished

(skilful horse rider), standing on the back of a galloping horse or riding under the horse's belly. At fairs, he could lift the weight of 816 kg. On one occasion at the

Koyandy Fair The Koyandy Fair () was a large annual trade fair held every June from 1848 to 1930 in the Karkaraly region of Kazakhstan on the caravan route from Central Asia to Siberia. Koyandy is located west of modern-day Yegindybulak, near lake Karasor. Or ...

he battled a well-known fighter named Karen and broke several ribs. Baluan Sholak remained popular with his countrymen and was respected and honoured wherever he went. His songs are still heard today, and the

Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports The Baluan Sholak Sports Palace ( ) or Bolyan Sholak Sports Palace is a Palace of Sports in Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan. It was built in 1967 and extensively renovated in 2009–2011. It is named after Baluan Sholak, a celebrated Kaz ...

Almaty Almaty, formerly Alma-Ata, is the List of most populous cities in Kazakhstan, largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population exceeding two million residents within its metropolitan area. Located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains ...

, built in 1967 and seating 5000, is named in his honour.

References

External links