Gulistan Dance Theater

Viloyat Akilova

Master Choreographer

of Tashkent, Uzbekistan

"Dance is happiness ... it is life."

Carolyn's artistic relationship with V. Akilova spanned

nearly a decade and is summarized at the end of this article. The mentorship Carolyn and Gulistan received from

Mme. Akilova has been a rare and treasured gift.

Viloyat Akilova hails from one of the great families of the Bukharan professional dance tradition--a tradition which defines one of the three major styles of Uzbek Dance. The eldest of five children, she was born in Samarkand in 1936 to two young and ambitious performers. Her father, the late and highly-revered dance master, Isakhar Akilov, People's Artist of Uzbekistan, followed in the footsteps of his mother, a favorite dancer of the Emir of Bukhara. Viloyat's mother, Margarita, was also a People's Artist. In addition, Viloyat's sisters, Gauhar and Lola, are celebrated dancers, as was her late sister, Zuleikha. The Akilov school of Uzbek dance, which grows directly out of the pre-Soviet, professional Central Asian tradition, now claims its fourth generation as Lola passes the legacy on to her two daughters.

As a small child, Viloyat toured the collective farms of Soviet Uzbekistan with her parents--becoming known as "Little Artist Akilova" among the workers for whom she danced. The Akilovs, traveling by way of a cart pulled by donkey or horse, would be welcomed by crowds of children eager to meet the young Viloyat. Then, at age 7, Viloyat--already a veteran performer--was accepted at the newly-opened Uzbek State Choreographic Institute in Tashkent. She went on to complete her high school education at the Institute while performing regularly with her father's Shodlik ensemble. She later served as Shodlik's principal dancer and was praised for her powerful technique, heartfelt expression and beautiful, supple hands--which were often the subject of the camera's lens.

Upon Viloyat's retirement from Shodlik at age 40, as was mandatory under the Soviet system, she made her way to Moscow to work and study with the great Igor Moiseyev. During her two years in Moscow, she produced for his company an acclaimed suite of Uzbek folk dances, launching her career as a choreographer and earning her the title of People's Artist of Uzbekistan--the republic's highest artistic honor. She next worked as a choreographer in Afghanistan for one year and, after returning to Tashkent, became founding Artistic Director of Zerafshon--an ensemble specializing in Bukharan and Tajik dance--where she remained until 1994.

Viloyat counts among her protegées several of the most beloved soloists in the country--many of them Merited Artists, and one of them a People's Artist. She is a master choreographer in all styles of Uzbek dance--Ferghana, Khorezm and Bukhara--and remains one of Tashkent's most sought-after dancemakers.

Carolyn & Viloyat

September-October 1994: Carolyn traveled alone to a newly-independent Uzbekistan under a grant from ArtsLink, a program of CEC International Partners. She arrived in the capital city of Tashkent with hopes of studying with her first choice of teachers, Viloyat Akilova. Within two days, Carolyn was invited to study and reside with Mme. Akilova in her home. For over a month, Viloyat and Carolyn maintained a demanding daily schedule of non-stop dance training and dance-related activities. Carolyn returned from her tour with several Uzbek and Tajik solos choreographed for her by Viloyat, along with a full complement of costumes.

February-March, 1997: Carolyn again traveled to Tashkent under an ArtsLink grant. During this trip, she documented Mme. Akilova's career while the two worked together on new solos and costuming. In addition, Viloyat provided Carolyn the opportunity to become the first foreign professional dancer to dance in the official Navroz (New Year) Festival on March 21st--a grand traditional pageant involving hundreds of performers and craftspeople from around the country. Carolyn also performed with Mme. Akilova's ensemble, Tashkent Yulduzlara--including a concert at the Mayor's Mansion--gave radio and television interviews, and was showcased in a 30-minute program aired on Tashkent Television featuring five of the solos choreographed for her by Mme. Akilova.

September 2001: Carolyn hosted Mme. Akilova during her 17-day choreographic residency with Gulistan Dance Theater. During this first-ever visit to Los Angeles, Mme. Akilova choreographed two new solos for Carolyn, and two dances for the Gulistan ensemble. This residency marks the first time Mme. Akilova has directed a non-native Uzbek dance company. The new dances were videotaped for airing on Tashkent Television in a documentary about Mme. Akilova's work with Gulistan.

September 2003: Viloyat returned to Los Angeles and Gulistan once more received the benefit of her artistic direction as she set the important Bukharan classical dance "Chaharzarb" on the ensemble. For Carolyn she choreographed "Kari Nava" in the Ferghana style, and another important piece from the classical Bukharan repertoire, "Saqiname Ufar-i Bayot."