Malika Sabirova

Born May 22, 1942, in Dushanbe. Soviet ballet dancer. People’s Artist of the USSR (1974).

Sabirova graduated from the Leningrad Choreographic School, where she had studied under E. V. Shiripina. She later perfected her technique under G. S. Ulanova and A. M. Mes-serer. She became a soloist with the Aini Tadzhik Theater of Opera and Ballet in 1961.

Sabirova’s best roles include Kitri in Minkus’ Don Quixote, the title role in Adam’s Giselle, and Leili in Balasanian’s Leili and Medzhnun. Her dancing is characterized by clean quick turns and light jumps; she brings special depth to her interpretations. Sabirova has toured outside the USSR.

Sabirova was a deputy to the eighth convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the Tadzhik SSR. She has won prizes at the international ballet competitions in Varna (1964) and Moscow (1969). She received the Rudaki State Prize of the Tadzhik SSR in 1967. Sabirova has been awarded two orders.