Adil Isgandarov

Adil Isgandarov was born on 5 May 1910 in Ganja, into a beg family. He had a stern nature but always loved bringing people joy with his unusual, distinctive jokes. He was a dignified man. Making contact with him was not easy, but his friends and relatives used to say that once you got close to Adil muallim, it became difficult to part with him too. He had the temperament of an "old-fashioned man" in him. It seems that when choosing film roles he also took these traits of his character into account. Adil muallim studied at the Theatre College and at the A. V. Lunacharsky Moscow State Institute of Theatre Arts, and did his directing practice at the Moscow Art Theatre. Adil Isgandarov joined the Academic State Theatre in 1936, and it was not long before he was chosen chief director and then director of this temple of art, creating his own school there over nearly 25 years. It was no coincidence that this theatre was called "Adil Isgandarov's theatre" at the time. His directorial debut, the production Steel Eagle (1936), astonished both artists and audiences. It was clear that a true master had arrived at the theatre. One after another Adil Isgandarov staged Platon Krechet, Life and Vagif. Vagif was among the most successful productions in the history of our national theatre and became a landmark event in it, awakening a new spirit in Baku's cultural life. With Adil Isgandarov's arrival in the arts, a new, dynamic atmosphere began to take shape in the country's theatrical life. Everything carried a sense of innovation — the sets, the actors' performance, the overall composition all created a fascinating picture as a new presentation of classical traditions. Alasgar Alakbarov's ringing voice lent this production its own particular mood. Adil Isgandarov's productions stood out for their originality and monumentality. Staging works such as Khanlar, Farhad and Shirin, Aydin, In 1905, Foggy Tabriz, My Eastern Dawn, Othello and In Turkey, this gifted director always brought new breath and new spirit to the stage. Adil muallim's productions always won the hearts of theatre lovers. One of Adil Isgandarov's chief qualities as a director was his skill in casting actors for productions — from a single meeting he could determine whether an actor suited a role. This great artist was also a powerful organiser who knew how to find common ground with people. During his years as theatre director, the quality of productions rose and the repertoire grew richer. It was no doubt in recognition of this ability that he was appointed director of the Jafar Jabbarli Azerbaijanfilm film studio (1966–1974).