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Baluan Sholak

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Baluan Sholak
Born
Nurmagambetov

11 December 1864
Karaotkel, Akmola Province, Russian Empire
Died1919
NationalityKazakh
Occupation(s)Composer, singer, poet, dombra player, dzhigit and wrestler

Baluan Sholak (Kazakh: Балуан Шолақ, Baluan Şolaq; 1864–1919), was a Kazakh Turkic composer, singer, poet, dombra player, dzhigit and wrestler.

Biography

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Baluan Sholak was born on 11 December 1864, in the village of Karaotkel near the Khan mountains in modern Akmola Province, Russian Empire, and was named Nurmagambet Baymyrzauly.[1] He was the son of a carpenter.[2] 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".[3]

He started fighting at the age of fourteen and gained a reputation as an invincible wrestler.[1] 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, Karaotkel, Bayan-Aul, Irtysh, and Sarysu, staging performances with his ensemble of dombra players, singers, storytellers, jockeys and wrestlers.[2]

Some of his songs became very popular in Kazakhstan, including Галия (Galiya), dedicated to his beloved Galiya,[1] and Сентябрь (September). He was also an accomplished dzhigit (skilful horse rider), standing on the back of a galloping horse or riding under the horse's belly.[2]

At fairs, he could lift the weight of 816 kg.[1] On one occasion at the Koyandy Fair 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.[1] His songs are still heard today, and the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports in Almaty, built in 1967 and seating 5000, is named in his honour.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Lyudmila Vykhodchenko. "Marking the 150th anniversary of Baluan Sholak's birth – Qazaqstan tarihy". e-history.kz. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  2. ^ a b c d Тимур Амиров. "Певец и борец Балуан Шолак (The singer and fighter Baluan Sholak)" (in Russian). Neonomad. Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
  3. ^ "Kazakh names :: Kazakh culture and national traditions". OrexCA. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
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