Fotima Borukhova

Fotima Borukhova was born on 9 November 1916.[1] She grew up in a large Jewish family of Dzhura and Mazol Borukhov. At the age of 12 Borukhova first appeared on the stage of her native Andijan.[4] In 1930, she began her scenic activity in the Andijan and Drama Music Theater, and from 1935, she was a soloist of the Tashkent Opera and Ballet Theater named after Alisher Navoi.[1]

In 1937, Borukhova participated in the first Decade of the Arts of Uzbekistan in Moscow.[4]

In 1939, she sang the part of Zebuniso on the premiere of the first Uzbek opera “"Buran" by M. Ashrafi and S. Vasilenko.[2] Borukhova's singing full of sorrow perfectly underlined the director's intention.[5]

Borukhova's other parts include: Parts: Leili ("Leili and Majnun" by Reinhold Glière and Tolibjon Sadikov), Akzhunus ("Yor-Targyn" by Yevgeny Brusilovsky), Shirin ("Farhad and Shirin" by Viktor Uspensky and Georgy Mushel), Polina, Nyanya ("The Queen of Spades", "Eugene Onegin"), Fortune Teller ("Almast" by Alexander Spendiaryan) and others.[1]

She was also one of few female singers who sang katta ashula songs.[6] Katta ashula genre takes origins in ancient folk-ritual chants and songs of “praise”.[3]

In 1940–1942, Borukhova studied in Uzbek opera studio at Moscow conservatory.[1] In 1941, when German forces approached Moscow, Borukhova was a part of the front-line concert brigade: she spoke in front of the soldiers leaving for battle and in front of the wounded in hospitals near Moscow.[4]

In 1979, Borukhova ended her creative career at the Opera and Ballet Theater, however she remained active and participated in the evening of friendship organized by Bukhara-Jewish community as a guest of honor.[4]

Fotima Borukhova died in August 2009 at the age of 93.[4]

Fotima Borukhova was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner, a title of an Honored Artist of Uzbekistan (1942) and a People's Artist (1950).[7]