Smagulov Asylbolat Kakenuly
Asylbolat Kakenuly Smagulov was born on February 18, 1951, in Bostandyk village, North Kazakhstan region.
In 1968, he graduated from the №2 Kazakh Boarding School in Kyzyljar city and in 1969, he was admitted to the Theater Department of the Kurmangazy State Conservatory in Almaty under the mentorship of People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, Hadisha Bokeeva. He graduated in 1973 with a degree in Theater Acting.
From 1973 to 1998, Smagulov worked as an actor at the S. Kozhamkulov State Kazakh Musical Drama Theater in the Torgay region, performing numerous iconic roles such as:
- Bekejan in “Kyz Zhibek” by G. Musirepov,
- Alibek in “Ayman-Sholpan” by M. Auezov,
- Syrym in “Karagoz” by M. Auezov,
- Kebek in “Enlik-Kebek” by M. Auezov,
- Saken in “Saken Seyfullin”,
- Makhambet in “Makhambet”,
- Zhantyk and Kozy in “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu”,
- Glumov in “Adam Alasy Ishinde”,
- Bushlay in “Tosqaul”, and
- Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet”.
His acting success is noteworthy, as he delved deeply into the emotional depth of each character. His acting palette is rich, with layers of nuance and depth that convey a profound understanding of the human soul.
In 1987, he received the title of “Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan” for his portrayal of Bekejan in the “Kyz Zhibek” performance. He was awarded a diploma at the International Youth Theater Festival in Tbilisi. Smagulov also won the Grand Prix at the International Theater Competition of Central Asia and Kazakhstan.
He starred in films such as “Apyin”, “Don’t Forget Me”, “Nomads”, “Birjan Sal”, “Elim-ai”, and “Kazakh Khanate”. Renowned theater critic Ashirbek Sygay remarked that “Asylbolat Smagulov, with his portrayal of the ruthless and cold-hearted Bekejan, brought a subtle hint of sympathy, making this fierce character more human.” Kazakhstan’s People’s Writer Saken Zhunisov also praised Smagulov’s portrayal of Bekejan, describing it as a significant event on the Kazakh theater stage.
In 1998–1999, he worked as the Senior Specialist at the Ministry of Culture in the capital.
From 1999 to 2005, he was an actor at the Q. Kuanyshbaev State Kazakh Drama Theater.
Due to his skills in poetry, music composition, singing, sculpture, and painting, Smagulov began his individual creative endeavors in 2005. He exhibited paintings such as “Time”, “Mother”, “The Vines, The False World”, “Wild Bay Horse”, “Bride”, as well as portraits of figures like Korkyt, Akan Seri, Bayan Sulu, Kyz Zhibek, and Bekejan.
Filmography:
- 1991: “Apyin” – Captain, directed by Turan Duysebaev.
- 1993: “Don’t Forget Me” (Abilkair Khan) – Abilkair Khan, directed by Viktor Pusyrmanov.
- 2006: “Nomads”, directed by Sergey Bodrov, Talgat Temenov, Ivan Passer.
- 2009: “Birjan Sal”, directed by Doskhan Zholzhakynov, Rymbek Alpiev.
- 2009: “Lave”, directed by Anuar Raybaev.
- 2011: “My Sinful Angel”, directed by Talgat Temenov.
Since 2020, he has been an actor at the Qaliibek Kuanyshbaev State Academic Kazakh Musical Drama Theater.
- R. Mukhanova’s “Bopai Khanim” – Bi
- X. Altai, X. Oralta’s “Altai Dan Auyan El” – Shakey, Kosh.
