"Stars that never go out..."

Karima ZARIPOVA

"Stars that never go out..."

LOOKING FOR A HOME...

Evening came. He somehow immediately, quite unexpectedly, muffled the outlines of the village that was visible in front of him, blurred the silhouettes of tall trees. And then the boy became scared, so scared that nothing could force him to walk along a dark road knocked down by arbs in an unfamiliar village ... Cautiously looking around and listening to the silence, he went away far from home, sometimes hiding behind the bushes from a loud rustle, raising his head to the top, looking at the blackening sky and seeing the faint flashes of stars, reassured himself: "Everything will be fine, morning will come and I will find my home" ...

So, the boy walked and calmed himself, who was playing with the children, and then offended by his stepmother, ran away from home ... Walking through unfamiliar streets, little Karimjan discovered a new, huge and such a generous world.

This story took place in the 19th century... Six-year-old Karimjan, ran away from home, ended up at the Tashkent railway station ... Unfamiliar houses and silence along the streets, as if everyone had disappeared from Tashkent. Such silence and desertion alerted little Karimjan and he began to cry. At this time, a young woman in a burqa passed by. Hearing the boy crying, she asked him:

"Son, what's wrong?" Why are you crying and where are your parents?

–I'm lost... said the boy

"Where is your home?"

- In the Kashkar mahalla ...

"Do you want to be my son?...

Karimjan did not answer and began to cry again. An unfamiliar woman took him by the hand and led him to the station buffet. Here she treated him with goodies, spoke sweetly about the future and the child began to trust her ... At every question about the fact that he would become her son, Karimjan had tears in his eyes ...

"Don't cry, dear," said the woman, "you and I will travel far by train, and we'll be fine!"

They got into the carriage. It was the first time for the boy, he had never seen a train and did not go anywhere. After a busy day, he quickly fell asleep.

When Karimjan woke up, it was morning outside the window and the woman took the things and the boy by the hand and left the carriage. A tall man met them on the platform, he looked at the boy with a displeased look, shouted something angrily to his wife and the couple disappeared in a large stream of people. The station was empty and Karimjan was left alone again. Who knows, maybe that woman brought Karimjan from Tashkent to Khujand, maybe she had no children, but the man who met them on the platform did not want to take someone else's child and therefore they left at the station. Karimjan cried from cold and hunger, but the world is not without good people, a plump man of Slavic nationality came out of the station and asked the boy where he came from, not understanding anything of what was said, the man took Karimjan to the barn where they kept flasks with kerosene for refueling. Cart drivers often came here and loaded these barrels onto their carts, and this time a Russian man said something to one of the cab drivers and put the boy in the backyard, the only word that Karimjan understood was Khujand. The road was far away, the cabman spoke little, and if he spoke, it was in a language incomprehensible to the boy. Finally, they drove into the city and stopped near the bazaar. The cab driver dropped the boy off and in Uzbek said that he should find his own way further and leave...

Once again, Karimjan was left alone. Wiping away his tears, the boy heard a sound of the surnay (loud oboe), feeling something familiar, hope warmed up in his soul, and he quickly walked towards the city ...

In his mahalla Kashkar, weddings were very often held and there were musical works of surnay (loud oboe), karnay (long trumpet) and doira (frame drum), these sounds gave him now hope that he would find his home ... Having reached the teahouse, Karimjan saw a lot of children playing and running near the samovars, a fat teahouse worker dispersed them and shouted "rah-rah" in Tajik, but the children happily ran away and ran again. Seeing the crying boy, the teahouse worker asked why he was crying, but not hearing an answer, he asked in Uzbek:

- Why are you crying and what is your name?

Through tears and choking, the boy talked about what had happened to him ... This was the first meeting with Jumabay-surnaychi, who sheltered the boy and gave him a ticket to the world of art ...

SCHOOL

Today, when we talk about schools, we imagine a beautiful building with beautiful classrooms with all the amenities, with equipment ... But, in our story, we will talk about the schools of that time, where it was necessary to work every day, endless physical and exhausting classes tempered Karimjan and introduced him to the secrets of circus and theatrical art ...

Having received a good school of folk art from Jumabay-surnaychi together with his sons, Karimjan begins to work in this troupe. Jumabay's eldest son, eighteen-year-old Juraboi, was a master of playing the nogora (pot-shaped drum), surnay and doira. The younger Bokijon danced beautifully, but his father wanted him to do more acrobatics and therefore Karimjan and Bokijon devoted more time to acrobatics. In addition to acrobatic elements, they were taught to walk on stilts, classes were not easy, dance, jump, run and even do somersaults - these were very difficult days of mastery. Everything took place in stages, the children learned a lot of tricks on their own, maintaining balance, not forgetting about acting, about acrobatics technique. Time passed, the children grew up, Karimjan made brilliant progress, overtaking Bokijon in his knowledge, and this made Jumabay-surnaychi very upset, but there was a reason for that, because Bokijon was a physically very weak child and blind in one eye.

Finally, the day of performances came, the inviting sound of karnay and surnay gathered spectators from all over the district. The performance began, Karimjan's exit was announced, he went out on high stilts, to the sounds of doira and musicians, the audience saw an incendiary dance, incredible turns and acrobatic stunts. The audience shouted "Well done, Kid, Polwon (strong man)! Come on!" thunderous applause was heard, and at the end of the number, the suzani (hand-embroidered textile) laid out in front of the audience was filled with money.

The rumor about the talented boy spread throughout the district, he became interested at that time in the well-known head of the Tajik troupe Avazmat - aksakal, who kept a workshop of musicians, humorist and dancers in Khujand. For the success of his performances, he invited Karimjan to his team, to which Jumabay - Surnaychi could not refuse an authoritative person in the acting world. So, Karimjan got into a new team, where his creative life began ...

The third team was led by Abdukarim Mikhtar, this team differed from the previous ones in that there were more circus and theatrical performances. Non-replaceable workers Abdukarim aksakal - surnaychi, Mirbuva - percussion instruments, Mirayim - tightrope walker, brothers Isa and Musa - clowns. With such a composition, this group gathered many spectators, the performances took place in a circle that was covered with fabric around and mats were laid on the ground instead of seats, there was a cashier near the entrance checking entrance tickets, the performances were held strictly according to the program, but sometimes, clown reprises turned into improvisation and the audience really liked it. Often in reprises, clowns ridiculed the nobility, raised painful topics of that time.

All performances were held at a professional level, perfect acting skills, excellent acrobatic performance of artists, all this gave Karimjan a great desire to work and comprehend new genres of circus art: tightrope walking, clowning, juggling and even aerial gymnastics.

Secretly, from the owner, Haidar and Mirayim began to teach the boy their craft. Haidar-kizik even picked up a repertoire for Karimjan from the plays of the old traditional Uzbek theater, which he adopted from his foundations, from Yusufjan-kizik Shakarjanov. Small works, which have long been familiar to the Uzbek audience and are still played by adult actors, sounded completely different in the performance of little Karimjan. And Mirayim is a simboz (tightrope walker) who believed that a real acrobat, and even kizikchi (humorist), should perfectly master the technique of walking on a wire (sim-dor) and on a rope, so he gladly taught the talented Karimjan various tricks.

Haidar- kizik and Mirayim tightrope walker, can rightfully be considered Karimjan's first teachers in the field of new genres, which he superbly demonstrated to the audience to thunderous applause, in recognition on a par with adult artists, he was presented with a robe, a skullcap and a waist scarf (belbog) as a reward for his skill. This was the first tour to Samarkand.

FIRST TOURS

Working in the troupe of Avazmat, Karimjan was always under the supervision of Haidar kizikchi, who loved the boy very much as his son and taught him the intricacies of clowning. He selected and invented a repertoire specifically for Karimjan, considering his small stature, flexibility, dancing abilities and acting skills. In one of the reprises of "Ota-bola" - "Father-son", Karimjan tied a chapan (kaftan) tied with a sash to his feet and got the feeling of his son standing next to him. The text, sometimes improvised, was spoken for the two heroes by Karimjan himself, from the outside it looked very funny, because a 10-year-old boy played his father!

"A Boy with a Finger", "Photographer" and other reprises brought Karimjan great success among the audience and his teacher Haidar-kizikchi, who considered his student to be an "Artist of the highest class", liked it.

Once Avazmat, received an invitation to the wedding of the circumcision of the son of Miraimbai (Samarkand millionaire at that time), Avazmat with his group of 14 instrumentalists, dancer Toji and of course Karimjan, went to the wedding in Samarkand, where, as you know, there will be a lot of noble guests.

On the outskirts of the city, horse games, “Kozlodran” were arranged, many guests gathered here, in front of whom the circus artists performed. Karimjan brilliantly showed his reprises, after which he received valuable gifts from Miraiimbay, promising to come again to visit before leaving for Tashkent.

In Karimjan's home, relatives lost hope after many years of searching for the boy and even resigned themselves to the idea that he died ... For Karimjan, the meeting with relatives was exciting and in the end it happened.

Karimjan returned to the troupe of Avazmat under the direction of Abdukarim and continued his artistic work. He did not stop there and began to learn to work on the free wire "Sim - Dor". There were many difficulties, a small age, little strength and daily rehearsals did not stop his zeal for knowledge. After a while, Karimjan, having mastered the wisdom of tightrope walking, becomes one of the best performers in this genre. He had a spectacular performance of trampoline-wire - a double trapezoid. Pushing off on the springboard, Karimjan turned over in the air (somersault) and descended on the wire, then swinging flew up to the trapeze and performed the most complex tricks on it, he had no equal in performing such tricks.

Holmirzaboshi, a rich man in the district, sent an invitation to the troupe for pilaf on the birth of his son. In addition to the troupe of Avazmat, askiyachi (humorist) from Margilan under the leadership of Yusufjan-kizikchi Shakardzhanov were invited to the celebration. Before performing at the celebration, Yusuf-kizik decided to hold rehearsals, watching the work of Karimjan, he gives him a role in one of his reprises "Karabeiniki". Several girls going to the wedding, heard the voices of sellers of materials, they, in turn, begin to offer their goods, arguing among themselves (sellers) whose goods are better, a fight begins based on an acrobatic performance. It seems to be a reprise - it is simple, but it partially ridiculed greed, illiteracy, bad manners.

Karimjan liked Yusuf-kizik very much and he invited him to join his team. From this moment begins a close friendship and cooperation between two talented people. An inquisitive and stubborn student, Yusuf-kyzykchi liked him, the teacher shared with him all his knowledge and experience acquired over many years of service at the court of the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate, Khudoyar Khan. He taught Karimjan taqlid - the art of imitation, mukkalid - the performance of satirical plays, farces and pantomime.

REVIVAL

In the second half of the nineteenth century, circus, dance, acting and vocal art began to flourish in Turkestan. Artists from the neighboring Republics of Afghanistan, Iran, China come here on tour, after the annexation of Central Asia to Russia, cultural growth and exchange of experience between countries began ... Large funds were needed to retain and maintain existing groups, and because of this problem, many troupes began to disintegrate.

In 1902, in the old city of Tashkent, Baratvoy (Kokand kizikchi, who worked in many circus genres) found an abandoned club, equipped it and invited here to work the already well-known at that time Kamil -kizikchi, Adil tightrope walker, Isok and Afghan saber fencer Said, as well as Karimjan, who came from a tour from Khadzhent. In 1903, a troupe of artists from Afghanistan consisting of 10 people under the leadership of Mullah Murshid came to Turkestan on a tour, to strengthen their program, they invited Karimjan on tour. Having toured half the country, the troupe has a great success among the people, especially performances with clown reprises of Karimjan and since then the people have nicknamed him "KARIM-KIZIK".

Time passed, changes took place in the history of circus art. Mullabai Mansurov, who used to work in the bazaar, had his own Ferris wheel, where puppet, circus and theatrical performances were often shown, he often helped visiting artists in conducting performances. To maintain his authority, Mullabai invites Yusuf - Kizik, brothers Muhammadjon, Rahmon and Parzi Abdukhalilov, Chakan Khodjaev, Karim Zaripov, Mukhsin Kadyrov, as well as a group of Surnaists (loud oboe players), with their new program for performances and tours around the country.

Mullabai Mansurov headed this group. The troupe worked with touring visiting programs. Even though Karim Zaripov at that time was the youngest circus artist, he constantly worked on his repertoire and his skills. He attended performances of Russian artists Yupatov, Zhiganov, Borga, Baranovsky, Makarov, Pospelov and others.

Time dictated the need for great knowledge in the field of circus and acting. So, he came up with an act, combining acrobatics and clowning on a free wire, working together with Parzin Abdukhalilov. Thus, more and more surprising the audience with their skill. Thus, Karimjan participated in five acts in the program. Moreover, he always dreamed of working on horseback.

To bring peoples closer, very often Russian circus artists were invited to the troupes, who brought innovation to the development of this art. Due to financial difficulties, many circus troupes began to split and slowly disintegrate. Karim Zaripov also got into such difficulties, he had to work at the invitation of the hosts, who demanded a lot of performances, because they were only interested in money.

In 1912-1913, the previously disintegrated troupes were left without work, then the brothers Rahmon and Parzin Abdukhalikov, together with Karim Zaripov, decided to resume the old circus acts and invite former circus performers.

"LONG ROAD"

In the summer of 1914, the newly assembled troupe gathered for a tour to Khorezm. With the total money raised, musical instruments, props and costumes were bought. Having loaded all the props on the cart, the troupe went on tour, but many difficulties awaited them ahead ...

The crossing of the Amu Darya turned out to be very difficult, none of the members of the troupe was ready for such difficulties. The current of the water was almost drowned the ferry. It took 13 days for the artists to get to the right place. The first stop and performance were in Tortkul. People came here on donkeys, horses and on foot, they had to give two and sometimes three performances a day, the program included not only circus acts, but also clown reprises, dances and poppy seeds. At the end of the performances, many spectators asked the presenter Yusuf - Kizik: "How does this young man Karimjan manage to work in so many acts?", Yusuf- Kizik smiled and replied: "Karimjan, a lucky guy and fearless, with a strong spirit. You need to work hard on yourself, sometimes giving up earthly goods, in order to achieve such a result, he has a strong guardian angel.

Finally, the troupe arrived in the ancient city of Khiva. Passing through the main gates of the city, the musicians began to invite the audience with famous musical works "Lazgi", "Fargona yallasi", "Katta ashula" – this is how Karim Zaripov himself recalled. A tent was installed in the central square. Barkers, musicians and clowns began to invite people to the performance. Suddenly, near the bazaar in one of the houses, the screams and crying of a girl were heard, who was dragged by the hair by the Khan's guards, seating her on a cart. The girl was beautiful, but from a poor family. The Khan's son fell in love with the beauty of the girl and stole her from the house. A few days later, the prince threw the girl near the gates of her house and rode away.

Upon learning of this incident, the enraged emir ordered to punish in public a girl who allegedly wanted to destroy the life of the prince, who already had a wife and children. The people looked in bewilderment at the execution of the girl, which was arranged by the guards in the central square.

At that time, the people could not be outraged openly, everyone feared for themselves, frequent executions for offenses frightened them. Only at circus performances, people could forget a little about the hard lot, work and worries. Funny reprises performed by Karimjan caused laughter and thunderous applause from the audience after each of his appearances. Residents of Khorezm and Khiva recognized Karimjan as the best artist of the entire troupe and nicknamed him "Karim-Kizik" - "Karim is funny". At the end of the tour in Khiva, the troupe toured in many cities of Khorezm and had great success among grateful spectators ...

In one of the articles of the book "World Culture" of the publishing house "Art" 1970, it was written; "The founder of the Uzbek professional circus, Karim Zaripov, made a huge contribution not only to the development of the art of Uzbekistan, but is considered the teacher of many artists of world arenas. Especially, in the equestrian genre, namely in horse riding and horse training, his breathtaking stunts on horseback, his unique long cliff conquered the audience of China in 1914 ... More than 100 years have passed, but the Zaripov dynasty continues to surprise and conquer the hearts of the audience with its performances.

In Paris, at the international festival of circus art "Circus of Tomorrow", Karimjan's great-granddaughter Karima Zaripova performed a triple fold in the "Plastic Etude" act and was awarded the Grand Prix and received a gold medal (repeated the trick of her great-grandfather) Another great-grandson Erkin Zaripov, in Monte Carlo, also at the international circus festival, won first place with the act "Flying Angel" (gymnast on belts). Later, he will enter the Guinness Book of Records three times, and this is the pride of the entire Uzbek people...

AT THE EMIR OF BUKHARA

After a long tour, the troupe was invited to Bukhara to perform in the Emir's palace together with the Russian troupe under the direction of Sokolovsky. A man named Yevkochdi mirohun boshi served at the court, it was he who invited artists to perform in the palace, all cultural, mass and entertainment work was arranged only by him.

At the palace there were a lot of theatrical and circus troupes, dorbozes (tightrope walkers), polvons (strong men) and askiyachi (humorists) - clowns. Therefore, there was a place for performances of artists, a circle closed with material with spectator seats. Before showing their performance, the leaders of the troupe had to coordinate the repertoire of performances with Evkochdi mirohun boshi, who in turn could make changes to the program or additions. The performance did not begin until the arrival of the Emir, everyone sat down in their seats in anticipation of his arrival. The Emir was greeted standing with a bow as soon as the Emir sat down, after which the performance could begin.

Throughout the performance, the audience looked out of the corner of their eyes at the reaction of the Emir and if he clapped, then everyone clapped, smiled - everyone laughed ...

As Karim Zaripov himself recalled: "It seemed that his courtiers were animals in a cage, which, at the command of the trainer, had to follow his orders. If the audience suddenly clapped or laughed without a command, it could infuriate the Emir. And if he didn't like something, the artists could be expelled or even executed.

"Performing to the Emir, Karimjan conquered all those present at the performance with his skill. His acrobatics and body plasticity conquered the Emir himself, and clown reprises made him laugh to tears. As a reward for such a performance, the Emir of Bukhara himself presented Karimjan with a gold embroidered robe and palace medals. Time passed and the troupe needed to change the repertoire, as there were long tours. Karimjan mastered aerial gymnastics on the trapeze and rehearsed complex tricks, but this was not enough to surprise the people, the wrestler Gaffor from Kasansoy was invited to the troupe to diversify the program. The conditions of the fight consisted in the fact that a daredevil was invited from the auditorium, who would defeat the famous wrestler and receive as much as 20 thousand sums as a reward, but if he loses, then of course he will not receive anything and will not pay. Thus, such advertising attracted more viewers to the performance.

Finally, the program was ready and at the beginning of the Ramadan, the troupe began its tour throughout the region, the performances gave pleasure to the audience, thunderous applause sounded after each performance, clown reprises were accompanied by laughter and joy. At the end of the performances, everyone went to iftar (breaking the fast).

The tour continued until the onset of winter, but due to the onset of cold weather, the troupe returned to Tashkent. Returning home was difficult, the cold and frozen roads brought a lot of difficulties, crossings through mountainous terrain, entailed many problems, clearing roads, the death of draft horses, all this required the transfer of props manually. But, despite all the difficulties and natural disasters, the artists continued their journey and finally returned to Tashkent.

KARIM KIZIK

In 1916, the tour of the troupe stopped, Karimjan worked like adults since childhood, his diligence and fearlessness, the life lived among adult artists, taught him a lot, patience, hard work, love for the Motherland. Growing up, Karimjan understood that, in the troupe, he was getting cramped, he wanted more, new, unfortunately, the artists began to leave it.

In 1918, Karim Zaripov gathered artists and created a new troupe "Cooperative", which was in the old building, headed by Govorin. The roof of the building was made of clay, 9 seating rows designed for 500-600 spectators. The program included aerial gymnasts of the Russian circus, brothers Karl and Ferdinand Gaft, as well as their wives Shura and Sarah. Karim Zaripov introduces horses into the program, on which he demonstrates acrobatic stunts using a springboard. The main "highlight" of the program were clown reprises, in which Karimjan and Muhammad-chakan (fast) performed. Many reprises were taken from the repertoire of performances of Russian and Western circus artists, arranged in an oriental way, they were conducted in Russian and Uzbek languages. This meant friendship and mutual understanding between nationalities and cultures of peoples.

Unrest in the city led to the fact that the performances were temporarily canceled. Military preparations by Emir Olimkhan kept the whole city in suspense. The party and the government decided not to send the troupe to the front, but to continue performing for the people. In the summer of 1919, the tour of the country of the troupe "Cooperative" resumed. In November, on the instructions of the commissariat, the troupe of Karim Zaripov was sent on tour to Alma-Ata, here, in the absence of their own circus, the artists of the troupe had to build a temporary circus with a roofing surface instead of a roof from boards. Despite the extreme cold, the audience was happy to come to the performances and then, the artists had to perform several times a day.

Karim Zaripov adds new acts to the troupe performed by Uyghur and Uzbek actors, thereby strengthening and diversifying the program of performances. By this period, Karimjan had mastered another genre - acrobatic ski jumping through living pyramids on galloping horses. A beautiful and exciting trick that required precise calculation, absolute control of one's body. Not every rider dared to repeat this trick. And at the same time, the thin and agile Karimjan smiled so that it was immediately clear that he himself gets a lot of pleasure from this and from performing various complex tricks, somersaults on a horse, pyramids, turntables, climbing under the belly of a horse and his signature trick “CLIFF”.

The experience gained from childhood from great foundations was useful to Karimjan in life, improving the work of the troupe, each time he came up with new programs, new acts, invited new artists and more and more surprised the audience with his performances.

"RED" AND "WHITE" CLOWNS THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH TO TEARS ...

In the autumn of 1919, changes took place in the life of Karim Zaripov. He met the daughter of the famous Mullajonkhoja Imam from Tashkent and the well-known dutorist (lute player) Anziratkhon at that time, Muborakhon and fell in love with her. The 16-year-old beauty, with blue eyes and chestnut-colored braid, won the heart of Karimjan and they got married. From that time on, they went to rehearsals and evening performances together every day ...

In 1922, Karim Zaripov and his troupe moved to the state building (Colosseum) under the direction of Yupatov, where he began performances with a new program. After the transfer of the management of the building to Khizirkov, Karim Zaripov gathers a new group and opens a tent in the Old Town (Eski Shahar) on Viloyat Street. And yet, among the people, Karimjan was more often called "Karim-kizik" - a master of satirical and comic art. National clowning occupied a special place in his life, it absorbed the richest traditions of the Uzbek people, always met the spirit of the times and even sometimes outstripped it ... So, very soon after the wedding, he introduced Mubarakhon, his life partner, friend and adviser, into his reprises, in all his affairs, whom he affectionately called "malicahon-princess", "parihon - my fairy". The first Uzbek woman-clown was not afraid to enter the arena in public, at a time when women were just beginning to take off their burqas.

Since 1923, the troupe under the leadership of Karim Zaripov began to actively work to combat illiteracy among women, to raise culture and free-thinking. For example, in the Old City (Eski Shahar) in the Kokaldosh Mosque, he creates a state film center and becomes the head of cultural and public events. He hires brave women, among whom his wife Mubarakhon was the first example.

In 1924, on the city posters it was possible to read "SEPTEMBER 23, 1924 (Thursday) IN THE OLD CITY ON CHORSU, EQUESTRIAN GAMES WILL BE HELD, IN WHICH FAMOUS RIDERS FROM BAKU AND TURKESTAN WILL TAKE PART. HURRY UP - THE MAIN ARTIST OF THE PROGRAM IS A CLOWN-PARODIST, THE WELL-KNOWN AND BELOVED "KARIM-KIZIK". The performances start at 9 p.m., the ticket price is 2 sums and 20 pennies.

Karimjan invites the famous musician and composer Yunus Rajabi to his troupe, with his instrumental ensemble ...

This year was special for Karimjan, he and Muborakhon had their first child, Khakimjan. Now the master understood that he had an heir who would continue the work he had begun.

CLOWN COUPLE HUSBAND AND WIFE

An oriental woman at that time did not have the right to show her face, especially to work in the field of art. On the street, women were required to wear a burqa. Mubarokkhon Zaripova is a heroic and selfless woman. At one of the performances in Bukhara, there was laughter in the hall from the reprise and stormy applause of the audience, the reason for which was the performance of Karimjan and Muborakhon. This was the young woman's first step into the arena as a partner. The seated spectators did not suspect that a WOMAN with an open face was performing in front of them, the talent and magnificent performance of the spouses did not cause negative emotions in the audience, from that day on, the creative and acting activities of Mubarakhon Zaripova began.

Mubarakhon Zaripova became an example for many women of the East, entering the circus arena was not easy, daily rehearsals, disputes, tears, new reprises were necessary, but nothing stopped her and even her little son, whom they brought with them to the performances.

It is much more difficult to make people laugh than to make them cry. But as soon as the "Red" - Karimjan and "White" - Muborakhon clowns entered the arena, the audience began to laugh. Naive, a little ridiculous, gullible and witty clown, each time came up with new reprises. A short dialogue or story that filled the pauses between performances necessarily became a real circus work of art, in which there was a theme, images, apt comparisons and conclusions. Often the couple used the technique of "LOF" - exaggeration, fiction. Masterfully prepared dialogue, the richest folk humor - juicy, imaginative and surprisingly clear - made the audience laugh to tears. Often in reprises they recognized the "heroes" they were talking about, and then laughter and applause sounded in the hall for a long time.

The performances of the famous kyzykchi Karim Zaripov and the first woman clown of Uzbekistan Muborakhon, were so light and sharp that no one guessed how worried she was every time before entering the arena and how she asked ALLAH that the audience would not guess that in front of them was a woman with an open face, in ridiculous trousers to the knees, in a bright motley hat and not listening to the witticisms of their reprise, They can boo her and drive her out of the arena. But she was worried in vain, apparently there was so much humor, warmth, enthusiasm in the performances of the clowns, they were fascinated with their talent and skill that the audience accompanied their favorites with thunderous applause.

However, very soon they will talk about the Zaripovs as brave and courageous riders. And not only in Uzbekistan, but also abroad. Indeed, the masters of the equestrian circus had no equal either in the training of horses, or in the dizzying, bold horse riding, and there were almost no such acts.

The tour in Bukhara went off with a bang! The audience gave a standing ovation to the skill of fearless horsemen, the training of Baranovsky's horses, acrobats and aerial gymnasts brothers Karim and Mirza Zaripov and, of course, the clown reprises of Mubarakhon and Karim Zaripov.

In 1925, the Executive Committee of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a decree on the melioration and improvement of the land economy of the Republic (Tashkent, Samarkand and the Fergana Canal). From that day on, a new era of revival of land and water management began in the Republic, Karim Zaripov and his troupe were also entrusted with a great responsibility for holding all concert events on this occasion.

In 1927, another very pleasant event occurred in the life of the Zaripov spouses, they had a daughter. In the year of the accession of the republics and the formation of the Union, it was given the name of the Union - KHALIDA. The happy father dreamed of a family room and mentally made plans.

In the same year, Karim Zaripov organized a new group "Kizil Sharq" - "Red East" and became its leader. He invites composer and musician Yunus Rajabi with his orchestra to his troupe, now all numbers will be performed by a full orchestra. Karim Zaripov goes with performances to all regions of the country, to all hot cotton harvest fields, towns and villages to raise the spirit and mood of the residents. The troupe worked for exhaustion, day and night with moving from one point to another, with songs and musical accompaniment, accompanied caravans with cotton to their destinations, in the evenings they gave concerts in front of residents of towns and villages with new acts and clown reprises, with sharp satire and topical problems.

The troupe "Kizil Sharq" continued to work until November 1930, which included a young and little-known Akram Yusupov, the Madaliev brothers, tightrope walkers, dancers and singers. During this period, Karim Zaripov organized the first professional circus, where he introduced the traditions of Russian and Uzbek circus art. He personally selected artists by genre to work in the team. Without losing the national spirit of the art of askiyachi - witticisms, he is constantly working on a theatrical and circus program, considering all the canons of the arena, stage and colloquial genre - clowning, askia, parodies. In the program, together with Karimjan "Red", his wife Mubarakhon performed under the pseudonym "White", in traditional Russian clown costumes, with funny reprises and unpretentious make-up, they were the central characters of the entire program. Horse riding was no less successful with the audience, but Karim Zaripov, having vast experience in the circus, did not stop there, he began work on the act "Trained Horses".

He had a love for horses since childhood, as Karim Zaripov himself recalled, his father had a stable with many thoroughbred and expensive horses, since he was still very small, the grooms did not let him get close to the horses and this offended him very much. He sat on the sidelines after the rain and sculpted figures of horses from wet clay, then dried them in the sun and played. His stepmother did not like it (Karimjan's own mother died early and Zarifhoja Imam married another beautiful woman Sakine), she constantly scolded him for this, maybe once, this was the reason that the boy ran away from home and got lost, probably this was the beginning of our story ...

A great love for horses led Karim Zaripov to the Abdukhalilov brothers, who taught him the first basics of riding and horse riding. The first Karabair horse that Karimjan bought was named "Samarkand" in honor of his beloved city. People said that black horses are very zealous, rarely amenable to training, but how could this stop the fearless, talented and purposeful Karimjan. Since the time of Amir Timur, young men have been taught to sit in the saddle and were given instructions, to be a real man means to be able to saddle a horse, marry an intelligent and faithful wife and have a good whip to keep everything under control.

Time passed, the professional circus toured all over Central Asia and Kazakhstan, conquering the audience with its performances. Karim Zaripov, appointed head and director of this circus, constantly worked on the repertoire, invited the best acts from all regions to the team. One of these was an act led by the famous Andijan tightrope walker from the city of Asaka, Tashkenbai Egamberdyev. For the first time, street props (ropes, bridges, suspensions) of the dorboz (tightrope walker) were transferred to the circus and from that moment the tightrope walkers began their work under the dome of a professional circus.

In 1930, in Tashkent, under the People's Commissariat of Education, Karim Zaripov created the State Circus Administration, which united more than twenty collectives from all over Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. In 1932, according to the Decree of the Government, Karim Zaripov built the first school of art. The lack of personnel in the circus prompted him to create this school. Artists and masters with experience came here to teach young people the secrets of circus, acting and musical art. Karim Zaripov himself was appointed director of this school, and was also an excellent teacher. The training of national personnel consisted in the use of the long-established tradition of "Ustoz-shogird" (teacher-student). Uzbek and Russian circus and pop artists were invited to pedagogical and coaching work. Together with specialists of different genres in acrobatics, gymnastics, juggling, balancing acts, choreographers and directors worked on the productions of the numbers. Karim Zaripov invited Rozia Karimova and Tamara Khanum, choreographer Yevgeny Baranovsky, and other famous dancers and choreographers to work. At the pop department, classes were held in choreography, stage speech, actor's skills, playing musical instruments ... The first school of circus, pop and musical art was the only one in the whole of Central Asia (to this day). It was a blacksmith for training personnel and staging circus and variety acts for all regions.

The Zaripovs began to train their children very early. Circus children are said to be "born in sawdust" - in the arena. Khakimjan, the son and daughter of Union-Khalida, really grew up in the circus, for which the arena, horses, props, constant moving, touring from childhood with parents were quite common and normal. The father loved his children very much, but at the same time he was very strict and picky. Karim Zaripov, who gave his entire adult life to circus, acting and music, devoted to him to fanaticism, not imagining himself even for a moment outside the circus, believed that his children should also love the circus. Probably, this approach decided the fate of children ... Their first appearance on the arena occurred when Khakimjan was 10 years old, and Khalida was 7 years old in 1934, then Karim Zaripov released a new issue "ZARIPKHAN-FEARLESS HORSEMEN" the whole family participated in the issue.

In 1937, Karim Zaripov, together with a clown group of circus artists, theater workers and cinema workers, went to Moscow for the decade of days of culture and art of UZBEKISTAN, for circus artists this participation was the first time. For his services to the Fatherland and his contribution to the development of circus, theatrical and musical art of Uzbekistan, Karim Zaripov was awarded the title of "HONORED ARTIST OF THE UZBEK USSR" and the CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL.

In 1939, on September 15, a historic event took place - the opening of the Fergana Canal. Artists from all over Uzbekistan came to this national holiday. Circus performers did not stand aside. The act under the direction of Tashkenbai Egamberdiyev pulled their rope in the open air, Karim Zaripov with his group of maskharaboz-clowns showed their reprises, theater actors, poets and dancers, all Artists performed before the people at the festival. For many years of work and education of the younger generation, Karim Zaripov was awarded the title of "PEOPLE'S ARTIST OF THE UZBEK USSR" and the title of "HONORED ARTIST OF THE UZBEK USSR" was awarded to the first female clown, rider Mubarakhon Zaripova.

At that time, the school of the famous Karim Zaripov was talked about as one of the strongest in the world. He is the founder of the equestrian and professional circus in Uzbekistan, one of the organizers of the Tashket State Circus. Later, in 1942, he became the creator of the first Uzbek team.

From the memoirs of the daughter of Karim Zaripov and my mother, Honored Artist of Uzbekistan, Mother Heroine, Knight of the Order of "Dustlik" and "Shukhrat", Veteran of the Great Patriotic War of the Union-Khalida Zaripova:

- When my father opened the first school of circus, acting and music in 1933, he gathered many homeless children and poor children into it. I remember how he traveled to all regions of the republic and brought them here, often dirty, unwashed and hungry, how they were taken to the bathhouse, washed and fed. Dad did it all with his own money, sparing neither money, nor strength, nor his health. He was an excellent teacher, there was no such case that some tomboy ran away from his school. It seems to me that he simply "infected" children with his love for art, and especially for the circus, and for life. Many of them later became Honored and People's Artists of the Republic.

After creating a new number "Horse Training", Karim Zaripov brought 6 beautiful karabair horses to the arena, who performed dance movements to the music at the command of the trainer. In the final of the act, Master Karim Zaripov lifted the four horses on command to the "OF" - on the hind legs. Then he created a new group and a number called "Dzhigits (horsemen) of Sunny Uzbekistan", which exists to this day. - In 1946, the number "Horsemen of Sunny Uzbekistan" included new participants, including my husband Fakhritdin Sharifbayev, my brother's wife Nina Zaripova, Rakhmonov brothers, Mahmud Akbarov, Mirza Mirmaksudov, Ilkhom Dadabaev, nephews, nieces and others.

- Recalls my mother Khalidakhon Zaripova, - In the act, my brother and I were considered "old men", because by this time we already had a lot of experience. Now four horses with riders flew to the arena at once, who performed the most difficult tricks, our act was always the decoration of any program.

All the newspapers of that time wrote about circus acts. In one of them, for example, in “Pravda Vostoka”, an article was published "Dzhigits riders Zaripovs", where they wrote: "The attraction under the guidance of the oldest circus master, People's Artist of the Uzbek USSR, Hero of Labor Karim Zaripov, students perform unique tricks on running horses that take the breath away from the audience. School of the Great Master on the face…….”

"My father loved me very much," - recalls Khalida aya (mother), "he really wanted to create a separate number for me, he bought me a horse named "Pearl" and we began to rehearse the number "Grotesque Rider". Exhausting rehearsals after the performances, our girls were waiting for us in the audience seats (we got married with Fakhritdin in 1947, the wedding was celebrated on tour in Orenburg, in winter in cold weather - 20) laughs - sometimes one of the daughters fell asleep in the spectator seats, but dad was a very demanding leader, brought everything to the end. In my act, I was assisted by my husband and nephews. For my brother, my father prepared a number "Freedom" - with a trained horse that unquestioningly followed all the commands, the number looked great, my brother came out in a black tailcoat, with a long whip in his hands, idyll and harmony reigned between them. This number requires the trainer to have a lot of knowledge in the field of zoology, biology, veterinary medicine, a lot of practical experience, imagination, endurance and patience. The horse, nicknamed "Breeze", was black with a transition to the black tide, was a very intelligent horse, performed flawlessly.

Many times, Khakim Zaripov performed in Tashkent with "Breeze" and the audience involuntarily had a feeling of deep respect for the artist, pride in the person who could work miracles, and each time the viewer was convinced of the truth that WITHOUT HORSES THERE IS NO CIRCUS AT ALL.

Tours around the world continued and everywhere we were applauded by grateful spectators, in the newspapers they wrote about the magnificence and complexity of performing the tricks of fearless riders - recalls Khalida Zaripova. In one Russian newspaper "Rabochiy Krai" in 1950 they wrote: "In the arena, the performance of horsemen from Uzbekistan, under the leadership of Ustoz (teacher)- People's Artist of the Republic Karim Zaripov, conquered all the spectators, without safety devices, lounges, they perform unthinkable acrobatic stunts, the school and the bearing of the artists are visible. Among the brave young men, special attention should be paid to a young and beautiful girl who performs complex tricks on a par with the guys, Khalida Zaripova" (shows newspapers with articles).

In 1951, for a decade of days of culture and art in Moscow, Karim Zaripov took the entire Uzbek team in full force. The performance was colorful, the national color of costumes, props, the amazing sound of national music and the staging of the number - all this surprised the audience very much. After a decade in Moscow, by the Decree of the Government of Uzbekistan, Khakim and Khalida Zaripovs were awarded the honorary title "HONORED ARTIST OF THE UZBEK USSR", and Karim Zaripov was awarded the "BADGE OF DISTINCTION".

Uzbek horsemen were very often invited to shoot in films. They starred in the Belarusian feature film "Nesterka". The protagonist, played by B. Tenin, lives with thoughts about the people, acts as a defender of their interests. Under the mask of a merry fellow, a simpleton, there is an intelligent and kind person struggling with injustice. Khakim Zaripov duplicated the main character, dressed in a bearskin, together with his partners horsemen participated in the battle scenes. They starred in all the equestrian "battles" in the Azerbaijani film "The Legend of Love", "Leyli and Mejun", in the Tajik film "Dokhunda" and in many other films.

From the memoirs of Khalida Zaripova: "My father, dressed in a national robe belted with a beautiful scarf, and I in a national satin dress, in a velvet vest and the most fashionable skullcap at that time, to the rhythmic sounds of the doira played by my father, danced a fervent dance, and then ran backstage, I threw off my dress, remained in a camisole, sat on a horse and the horse guys, standing on the barrier, greeted me like a princess among eleven young men. Riding a horse, I performed complex tricks on a par with the guys - a cliff on the neck, a vaulting, a crawling under the horse's stomach and a ladies' cliff - hovering over the arena on a galloping horse. Dad often complicated my tricks, knowing that I was stubborn, probably with my character, I would do it. In the second number "Grotesque Rider" I performed the dances "Zang" and “Katta Uyin” (Big game) on a horse, which was staged by the teacher and choreographer, People's Artist of the Republic, the star of the first magnitude in the world of Uzbek choreography Rozia Karimova.

My studies at the dance school with Yevgeny Baranovsky helped me a lot in the arena, the incendiary dance "Lazgi" performed by me could not leave anyone indifferent, even the gloomiest spectator. By the way, during the war, my dad and I went to hospitals and spoke to the wounded, it was a very difficult time, it hurt, it was to look at them. With tears in their eyes, dad and mom showed reprises, then I danced, and dad played the doira and the soldiers, despite their wounds, tried to dance to the rhythm of the doira ...

After the first part of the dancing on the horse of the "Grotesque Rider" act, there was a short pause to prepare the props for the performance of the following tricks and then the clowns Akram Yusupov and Pavel Ulyanov came to the arena and a dialogue began between them and the rider, following in a circle Akram began the conversation:

Akram - Papsik, how great she jumps on a horse!

Papsik (partner Pavel Ulyanov) nods his head in agreement.

- And how to say hello to her? Akram asks.

Papsik – Very simple. Go up to her and say "Hello, dear Khalidochka and that's it."

Akram – Oh, Papsik, I can't do that.

Papsik – What's the matter?

Akram "She's sitting so high, and I'm downstairs, she won't hear me.

Papsik - You are right, Akramchik, I will help you. (Calling past, a passing dude in tight trousers, with a bow on his chest and with tousled hair) - Sit on his shoulders and say hello to Khalidochka!

Acrobat-eccentric, horseman-rider in this case, kizikchi-clown Fakhritdin Sharifbayev runs up to Akram and puts him on his shoulders. Barely sitting down, the stout and clumsy Akram begins his dialogue:

Akram - Good evening, Khalidochka!

Khalida – Good evening!

Akram – (satisfied) She answered me. Tell me, what are you doing?

Khalida – I ride a horse. (laughs)

Akram – Oh, I'm also riding on a dude... (laughs)

And few people in the audience knew that the life partner and partner, a student of Karim Zaripov, father of five children, grandfather of 14 grandchildren and great-grandfather of 10 great-grandchildren, Honored Artist of the Republic Fakhritdin Sharifbayev performed these reprises for many years together with his wife Khalida Zaripova and a duet of clowns. Especially this reprise of "Stilyaga"(Dude) was invented by Ustoz Karim Zaripov for his daughter and son-in-law ...

Akram – Papsik, I want to confess my love to her, what do I need to say?

Papsik – Tell her, dear Khalidochka, say!

Akram – Dear Khalidochka...! And then?

Papsik – I love you so much, I love you so much! Speak.

Akram – I love you so much, I love you so much...

Papsik – And I`m ready...

Akram – And I`m ready...

Papsik – And I`m ready to die for you - Say!

Akram – What... (screams and jumps off his shoulders) To die? Oh, how smart you are, I'm going to die, and you're going to get her?

All the clowns, cursing and catching up with each other, run backstage, the number continues.

In 1959, days of culture and literature were held in Moscow, which was attended by horsemen of Uzbekistan. For his contribution to the development of circus art, for many years of work and raising circus art in the Republic of Uzbekistan, Karim Zaripov was awarded the Order "Hero of Labor" and diplomas of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Karim Zaripov is the founder of the first professional circus in Uzbekistan, the first school of circus, acting and music (the current Republican Variety and Circus College named after Karim Zaripov), the creator of the numbers "Horsemen of Sunny Uzbekistan", "Grotesque - Rider", "Trained Horses", "Freedom", the author of many reprises and theatrical plays that are performed today. In 1920, the magazine "Mushtum" published a whole cycle of his reprises, theatrical plays and jokes entitled "Karim Zaripov nima deydi ...?" - "What do Karim Zaripov say ...?". At the jubilee evening dedicated to the 60th anniversary of Karim Zaripov's creative activity, his students came from all over the country to congratulate Uztoz. PEOPLE AND HONORED ARTISTS, ARTISTS and CULTURE workers of Uzbekistan, poets and writers, directors and choreographers, in Moscow, before showing films in cinemas, showed the magazine with congratulations to the Master of the Arena. People's Artist and friend of Muborakhon - Tamara Khanum with Usta Olim Kamilov performed a congratulatory dance on the anniversary of Karim Zaripov, Sara Eshonturaeva and Abror Khidoyatov congratulated on the satirical scene written by Karim Zaripov, many, many congratulations were received that day by the Master.

On December 20, 1960, the Grand master’s heart stopped after the 3rd heart attack. The circus was not empty, the audience stood in line to say goodbye to the Master of Laughter, Joy, Artist with a capital letter KARIM-KIZIK ZARIPOV ... The loss in the circus, theatrical world was great, but life goes on and the work of the Great Master is continued by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren ...

After the death of Ustoz, the leadership of the number "Horsemen of Sunny Uzbekistan" passed to the son of the People's Artist of Uzbekistan Khakim Zaripov.

In 1965, the band went on tour abroad - Hungary, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, where they were greeted with great success by the audience. Especially touching were the meetings with the soldiers who served in Hungary, who later wrote a touching letter to the editor thanking the horsemen for their excellent performance and the joy they gave them.

Budapest, Bekes, Szeged, Oroshhaza, Mezetuor... Residents of 14 cities at 160 performances got acquainted with the art of riders in the international program of the circus tent "Europe". Designed for 3,000 seats, the circus received up to 4,000 spectators daily, this has not yet happened in the history of the circus "Europe".

In 1964, the horsemen went on tour to America. The video film "Soviet Circus" was shown on television. It was shot in two days by the famous American director Michael N King, the film was attended by the master of the arena tightrope walkers under the direction of Ramadan Abakarov, the famous clown Oleg Popov, the Zaripov horsemen and the popular American singer Diana Shor. Director Michael N King praised the skill of Uzbek horsemen, after filming he said: - "What you do in the arena is…. a high skill! I saw the performances of cowboys and many other riders, but your performance captivated the audience of America and me personally! The director of the circuses of the USA and Switzerland, Mr. Giroller Roller, seeing the final trick performed by the People's Artist of Uzbekistan and the USSR Khakim Zaripov - "The Long Cliff" only threw up his hands: "I came to an indescribable delight! Is there anything else to say and add. BRAVO!". This is the same "long cliff" with which the Master of Horse-Riding KARIM ZARIPOV once conquered the audience. When, from behind the scenes, having made a horse jump over the barrier, Khakim Zaripov is already rushing through the arena. He makes a "long cliff", as they say in the circus the crown trick in the Zaripovs' horse riding - the rider's body falls, dragging along the ground, and his right leg is in a loop. Khakim Karimovich stretched out his arms, "lifelessly" drags along the ground and suddenly, deftly rolls over from his back face down, fingering sawdust in a circle with his hands. So, several times, and with all this, still driving the horse with gestures and shouts. The number lasts only ten minutes, where the whole program of prowess and dashing, dexterity and skill, fearlessness and optimism is shown. But behind these minutes there are dozens of years of work every year, daily, up to the seventh sweat (in the literal sense of the word). Ten minutes, but the horsemen and horses were wet with sweat, from great tension, from a colossal load, soaked up so much that you can just squeeze out the suits. And in general, in the circus, a horseman rider does not have his own life, does not belong to himself - he completely gives his time, strength and love to horses and the circus.

Mr. Giroller Roller was delighted, and the aksakal (elder) of Russian circus science, Professor Y.A. Dmitriev, at a meeting in Moscow, will say: "I seem to have seen the stunts of all the horsemen in the world, but I have not seen such a "cliff", no one!". Fortune smiled at Khakim Zaripov, he was the first among all horsemen to be awarded the title "PEOPLE'S ARTIST OF THE USSR".

Time passed, Honored Artist of the Republic Zaripova Nina Dmitrievna, wife and partner of Khakim Karimovich, a dashing rider, was almost always by his side until his retirement (1924-2018). She worked for almost 50 years in the room of "Horsemen of Sunny Uzbekistan" as a rider. He is a veteran of the Second World War.

Nina Dmitrievna died in 2018 and was buried in the city of Moscow at the “Novodevechye” cemetery.

The number included Khakim Karimovich's children - Gavkhar and Anvar Zaripov and nephew Ulugbek Zaripov. Khalida Zaripova, after a serious injury, did not leave the arena, she changed her image - she began to work in the numbers "Trained Pigeons" and "Illusion Jokes". Fakhritdin Sharifbayev moves into the role of clowning, a new image of "Ashuk and Mashuk" with partner G. Konvisser. Fakhritdin-kizikchi performed with reprises of his USTOZ KARIM ZARIPOV. Many partners in the act have switched to coaching, and some are no longer among us...

In 1997, the 70th anniversary of my parents was held in the building of the Uzbek State Circus, their students from all over the CIS and cities of Central Asia, theater and film artists, relatives and friends came to congratulate the anniversaries ...

Khalida aya Zaripova (1927-2006) and Fakhritdin Sharifbayev (1928-1998) lived a beautiful and happy life. Khakim Zaripov died in 2023, a few months before his 100th birthday, a dashing rider, a master of horse training, a worthy student of his father's work and the successor of the dynasty, a teacher of many riders of various equestrian numbers, a wonderful artist, musician, teacher, father and grandfather, also buried in the” Minor” cemetery.