Baluan Sholak

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

Baluan Sholak
Born
Nurmagambetov

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

Biography

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 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 esenmble 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
  1. Lyudmila Vykhodchenko. "Marking the 150th anniversary of Baluan Sholak's birth – Qazaqstan tarihy". e-history.kz. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  2. 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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