Makhmud Alisultanovich Esambaev

Born July 15, 1924, in the village of Starye Atagi, Urus-Martan Raion, Chechen Ingush ASSR. Soviet dancer (ballet and the variety stage). People’s Artist of the USSR (1974).

Esambaev attended the Groznyi Choreographic School from 1939 to 1941 and was a soloist at the Kirghiz Theater of Opera and Ballet in Frunze from 1944 to 1956. In 1957 he began appearing in variety shows, performing such diverse national dances as “The Shepherd” (Chechen-Ingush, Uzbek), “The Warrior” (Bashkir), “The Golden God” (Indian), and the ritual “Dance of Fire” to music by de Falla. Esambaev is remarkable for the emotional impact of his dancing as well as for his virtuoso technique. He was a deputy to the second and third convocations of the Supreme Soviet of the Chechen-Ingush ASSR.