"My time is short, I must manage to do everything." Gavhar Zokirova, whose first role brought her fame and who lost her beloved, is 77 years old (photo, video)

“My time is short, I must manage to do everything.” Gavhar Zokirova, who achieved fame with her first role and lost her beloved, is 77 years old (photo, video)

People's Artist of Uzbekistan Gavhar Zokirova turned 77 on September 10. On the occasion of the birth of the actress, who is a daughter-in-law of a family of famous artists and a great-granddaughter of Abdulla Avloniy, we talk about her life and creative activity.

**“I am a descendant of Abdulla Avloniy”**

Gavhar Zokirova was born in 1949 in the Nurafshon district of the Tashkent region. She was the only daughter in the family and has an older brother.

— My father was a military man, and my mother was an engineer. I have been interested in art since childhood; later I found out that my great-grandfather on my mother's side was Abdulla Avloniy. That man was one of the founders of the Uzbek theater; along with writing plays, he also worked as a director. I used to think, “We have no artists in our lineage,” but later, after hearing about my grandfather, I realized I had followed in his footsteps, says Gavhar Zokirova.

**“I slapped Jamshid Zokirov”**

At first, on the recommendation of her parents, the actress entered the Polytechnic Institute in Tashkent, but she could not study there for long. Her love for art prevailed, and the following year she submitted her documents to the current Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture. There she met her future husband, the skilled artist Jamshid Zokirov.

— Jamshid aka and I studied together at the institute. Back then, because there were many talented young people, two courses were organized. We were in different courses, but we studied together in general classes. We were only in separate courses for acting skills classes. Although the institute was large, everyone knew each other well. I knew Jamshid aka well from the first year. I was very curious about why he chose me specifically, and one day he told me the reason. One day, while I was sitting in the library reading a book, he came up to me, said something, and kissed me on the cheek. I immediately stood up and slapped him across the face. After this incident, he promised himself, “If I ever marry, I will marry this girl,” says Gavhar Zokirova.

**“Being a descendant of Avloniy helped in our marriage with Jamshid aka”**

— In building a family with my husband Jamshid Zokirov, the name of my great-grandfather — Abdulla Avloniy — played its part. When Jamshid aka first told his mother about our decision to get married, my mother-in-law did not like me. Seeing my photo, she thought I was not Uzbek and opposed the wedding. Then Jamshid aka said, “this girl is the great-granddaughter of Abdulla Avloniy.”

Nothing in life happens just like that; everything has its place. On that very day, my father-in-law's relatives happened to be visiting their house. After learning that I was Avloniy's great-granddaughter, they were amazed. Jamshid aka's aunt told my mother-in-law, “if you don't make this girl your daughter-in-law, who will you make your daughter-in-law?”. Then my mother-in-law thought about it and gave her consent. My mother-in-law was a very outspoken woman.

**“In my dowry, I sent books instead of expensive dishes”**

— I sent my books in my dowry. My mother-in-law and another relative of hers saw this and said, “the girl's mother is a diligent woman. She has collected so many dishes for her daughter. They must be of the best quality.” They went and slowly opened the boxes and said, “oh, my goodness, they are all books.”

My brother and I loved to collect the works, books, and portraits of Ernest Hemingway. When the children were carrying a large portrait, my mother-in-law saw Hemingway's picture and said, “oh my, look at Avloniy, he had a long beard, he was a luminous man.”

**“We didn't even have money to buy a coat”**

In 1971, actors Jamshid Zokirov and Gavhar Zokirova built a family. From this beautiful marriage, Javohir Zokirov and Ohista Zokirova were born.

— The salary we received from the theater was extremely small. On top of that, we had just moved into a two-room apartment. The apartment was in need of repair and extremely neglected. Because there were no frames on the balcony part, the wind blew right through. By late autumn, the house became cold, and then my late mother-in-law sold the most valuable fabric from her chest and gave us money to buy window frames. Even though husband and wife worked tirelessly, our household was never fully provided for. We sent our daughter Ohista to a music school, and we had to buy a piano for her. Back then, my mother-in-law and my mother saved money from their pensions and bought the musical instrument. In the third grade, we couldn't buy a coat for Javohir.

Then my sister-in-law Luiza gave us the old coat of her daughter Nargiz. It had a bell and a frill. Back then, Javohir made a big fuss, saying, “This is a girls' coat, I won't wear it.” Since I had no other choice, I forced him to wear it. There are many such examples in our lives. Reaching today's days was not as easy as some people think, says Gavhar Zokirova.

**“I passed the casting in one take”**

The actress recalls her role in the 1978 film “To‘ylar muborak” (Congratulations on the Wedding), directed by Eduard Khachaturov, which is one of the masterpieces of Uzbek cinema, as follows.

— This was my first role in cinema. Since it was a big role, I prepared seriously to participate in the casting. But on that day, my husband had left because his brothers were in the hospital. To make matters worse, Javohir also fell ill. While I was wondering how to leave the fussy child, my late mother came and said, “You go, I will look after the children.” I don't know, maybe because I was overwhelmed with worry about my sick child, I performed the role with all my soul in just one attempt. Back then, they asked me to perform the scene where she goes to the pharmacy and meets the woman she believes to be her future husband's wife. This episode was shot in one take, and this very shot was used in the movie. There were many candidates for the role of Nasiba, and the actresses after me didn't even get to audition, says the actress.

**“Jamshid Zokirov is still performing on stage”**

In 2012, Jamshid Zokirov passed away at the age of 63 due to cancer. The actress talks about the difficulties she faced after her husband's death.

— My husband Jamshid Zokirov fought the disease for a long time before his death. One day, for my birthday, playwright Nurillo Abboskhon brought the sequel to the play “Tanho yulduz” (The Lonely Star) and said, “A gift for you, I wrote this for you two.” Unfortunately, Jamshid aka did not manage to play a role in this play. After my husband passed away, I called my children to my side and said, “I will bring this play to the stage in memory of Jamshid Zokirov.” Twenty days after my husband's death, I went back to work. If I had stayed at home, I would have consumed myself with grief.

I had started crying constantly. Because I kept crying during the rehearsal process, I received many reprimands from director Valijon Umarov. After eight months, we brought the play “Tanho yulduz” to the stage, dedicating it to the memory of Jamshid Zokirov. I played a role in this play for eight years, and then for three years, I kept calling Nurillo Abboskhon, pestering him, saying, “Write a new play.” During the work process, we would argue, and there were times when he would hang up the phone in anger, saying, “That's it, don't call me.” Nothing is achieved on its own; through arguments and debates, the play “O‘zgalar dardi” (The Pain of Others) was created. There are 7 characters in the play, one of whom is Jamshid Zokirov. Other characters talk to him, tell him their pain. It has been 14 years since Jamshid Zokirov passed away, but he is still performing on stage with me, says Gavhar Zokirova.

**“I get offended by some”**

The actress also spoke about her resentment towards the irresponsibility of some young artists towards the profession.

— They say, “I work at the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater,” but some of them approach their work irresponsibly. Among them, there are even those who do not know the text of their role. Then I get angry. I say, “I am four times older than you, but I have already memorized the whole play. Can you really not memorize four words of your character?”. They immediately find an excuse. I explain to them to at least repeat the role two days before the play. The play “Qiyomat qarz” (The Ultimate Debt) used to be staged once a month. But before the play was staged, Shukur Burkhonov would definitely call everyone and force them to perform the role with all their soul, just as if the audience were sitting in the hall. Today's young artists are living in expectation of roles. Today's youth only know how to wait, they do not read books. I am not saying don't go to weddings or act in TV series, financial aspects must also be considered. But as an artist, when will they think about it?

I live with the thought that my time is short, I must manage to do everything. Even during the quarantine, I sat at home and created. Unfortunately, some young people lack such respect and responsibility towards their profession, says Gavhar Zokirova.

Despite being 77 years old, Gavhar Zokirova still acts in plays and TV series. She surpasses many artists in terms of responsibility. Arriving at the shoot on time and preparing for the role in advance has become a habit for her. In addition, the actress's favorite hobby is reading books. She can read a large book in a short period of time.