Shara Zhiyenkulova

Shara Zhienkulova (Kazakh: Шара Жиенқұлова, a shortened version of Gulshara Zhienkulova, married name Dzhandarbekova; July 18, 1912 – May 21, 1991) was a Kazakh Soviet dancer and educator. People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR (1938). Gulshara Zhienkulova was born in the town of Verny (present-day Almaty) on August 18, 1912. She studied history at Kazakh Pedagogical Institute (current Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University) in 1929–1930.

Zhienkulova's primary mentor was Alexander Alexandrov, an experienced theatrical ballet master, a former soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre. He provided her with a solid foundation in Russian classical dance and consistently emphasized the importance of national character in art. Their collaborative work resulted in Tattimbet, which is still considered one of the best Kazakh dances.

Pulysh in the play Maidan (Battle) by B. Mailin was Shara's first role in Auezov Theater. She also performed the roles of Enlik and Karagoz in Enlik-Kebek and Karagoz plays by Mukhtar Auezov, and others.

In 1934, Zhienkulova joined the theater of drama and music now known as The Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Abay) where she performed folk dances in Auezov's musical drama Ayman-Sholpan, as well as operas Kyz-Zhibek, Zhalbyr and Er Targhin by Yevgeny Brusilovsky. Shara graced Kalkaman-Mamyr, the first Kazakh national ballet, as Mamyr in 1938. She also performed as Balym in the sound movie Amangeldy produced by the Kazakhstani filmmakers the same year. Together with ballet master Leonid Zhukov, Shara Zhienkulova staged a ballet called Koktem (Spring) by Ivan Nadirov in 1940.

She worked at Jambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic for over 20 years and led the Kazakh SSR Song and Dance Company. She served as the director of Almaty Choreographic College from 1966 until 1975.

To develop national dance art, Zhienkulova traveled extensively across auls, studying ancient rituals, national costumes, traditions and cultural heritage of her people. She created such unforgettable dances as Tattimbet, Ayzhan Kyz, Kara Jorga and Kyryk Kyz.

When the folk department of the Almaty Choreographic College opened in 1965, she placed Kazakh dance on a professional footing with her own teaching methodologies.

Shara Zhienkulova has been called a diamond of musical and plastic arts. Gulfairus Ismailova painted Kazakh Waltz for her. It is also the name of one of Zhienkulova's most famous productions, set to the music by Khamidi. Kazakh Waltz was first performed during the 10-day Festival of Kazakh Literature and Arts in the Bolshoi in Moscow in 1968 by an all-female group of dancers and was later showcased in the Soviet Union and abroad.

Shara Zhienkulova died on May 21, 1991, 40 days after the death of her son Bulat Dzhandarbekov, she was buried next to him in the Kensai cemetery in Almaty.