||
Classmates with violins were coming to the windows of the hospital to support their friend. While Dovlet was being treated for one disease, there another problem – a leg gangrene – was revealed. Even the doctors gave up the fight, but the staunch boy tried to walk, binge lame in the leg and overcoming pain. Much later, it will be Khodjabaev’s credo in life – persistent struggle, work with total absorption and desire to rise above himself, whatever it would cost.
In 1945, Khodjabaev has been selected in competition for the first equestrian group of Turkmenistan among other fifty guys. And from that moment on, as if from a new line, the dzhigit’s rapid rise to the circus sky begins. Already in 1956, Dovlet was entrusted to lead the equestrian group, and in September of the same year, the equestrian ensemble had its debute performance. Soon, Dovlet Khodjabaev was awarded the title of Honored Artist and having joined by the horse riders group, he went to participate at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow.
After thirty years of creative success, Khodjabaev is working on the creation of the equestrian program “Echo of Asia”. The circus is alive with a trick, but realizing that the technique and the trick are only accompanying parts of circus performances, the rider develops a whole performance in which the East and the enchanting beauty of the horses appear before the public. A 17-minutes dynamic performance, a sight that could make your blood run cold, according to eyewitnesses.
Fifteen riders on Akhal-Teke horses run with lightning speed in the closed round circus arena. The spears and shields as well as national embroidered costumes are among stage sets. Every action is a spectacular trick.
The riders demonstrated the abilities to ride the horse by performing pyramids on two horses, flying tricks, somersaults-mortale, standing upright on the horse’s back and jumping to the ground, having skilfully handling wayward horses. Dovlet Khodjabaev himself performed a dangerous trick with incredible speed – a crawling from beneath the belly of a galloping horse. At that time, no one was able to repeat it.
The equestrian attraction “Echo of Asia”, presented at the All-Union competition of circus artists, out of 350 “overwhelmed” performances, became the winner. Yet, behind the easy way of performing the most difficult tricks, there were endless rehearsals, falls and injuries. Khodjabaev was a pioneer in his business and did not give himself or his students no quarter.
From 1956 to 2010, the best rider, Dovlet Khodjabaev, remained the permanent leader of the equestrian-acrobatic ensemble of Turkmen horse riders. He conquered the arenas of different countries, including Yugoslavia, Italy, Finland, Belgium etc. He acted in films, developed new tricks, and staged original performances. In 2002, for the great contribution to the development of circus art, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin awarded Dovlet Geldiyevich the Order of Honor.
In September last year, the honored artist passed away, he was 87 years old.
Selbi CHARIYEVA
Hytaýyň Täze ýyly