29 May, 2016
Elchin Mammadov - 70.
On 29 May, 2016, on the occasion of the 70thanniversary of the outstanding artist and talented actor Elchin Mammadov, a visit to the artist’s grave was organized.
At the ceremony with the participation of members of the Union of Theatre Workers of Azerbaijan, famous artists and members of his family, there told about his talent and personality, his friends – People’s Artist Azer Pasha Nematov, Honoured Art Worker Sheykh Abdul Mahmudbeyov, sister of the artist Solmaz Hamzayeva shared their memories.
ELCHIN MAMMADOV
Elchin Mehdi oglu Mammadov was born on 29 May, 1946. From his early years, Elchin drew very well, sometimes he tried himself in acting. After graduating from high school, he studied at the faculty of painting at the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts.
Elchin, who was born in the family of two giants – People’s Artists Mehdi Mammadov and Barat Shekinskaya, always attracted attention with his talent. His first work on the professional stage was the play of the artistic director Azer Pasha Nematov in the Theatre of Young Spectators “My brother plays the clarinet”. Later, Elchin worked with his father, Mehdi Mammadov. He made decoration for more than 100 performances in Baku, Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Serebrovsky.
He was a production designer at the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre performances of “Bear the Winner of Robbers” (M.F. Akhundov), “Madmen Assembly” (J. Mamedguluzade), “Iblis” (H. Javid), “ The Philistines” (M.Gorky), “The Human” (S. Vurgun), “Hamlet” (V. Shakespeare); at the Azerbaijan State Musical Theatre - “The History of Danabash Village” (O. Kazimov and J. Selimova), “Fox Goes on Pilgrimage” (R. Shafag and A. Shaig), “White Sun of the Desert” (L. Vaynstein and R. Ibrahimbeyov), “Congratulations” (F. Amirov and M. Alizade), “The Bat” (Strauss); “School of Danabash village” (J. Mamedguluzade), “Shamdan Bey” (N. Narimanov), “Last night of the last year” (Anar), “Hello, Gotsi” (R. Wagner) performed at the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators; at the Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theatre “The Lower Depths” (M. Gorky), “My Love Electra” (R. Durko), “The Snow Queen” (H. C. Andersen), “Sheikh Sanan” (H. Javid), “Cruel Games”(M. Shatrov); in the “Buta” Puppet Theatre“ Arshin Mal Alan” (U. Hajibeyov) and other performances.
His creative activity covered not only capital theatres in Azerbaijan, but also theatres in Nakhchivan, Ganja, Lankaran, Sumgayit and Mingachevir, where he created interesting decorations for performances.
Elchin Mammadov repeatedly participated in international exhibitions of theatre artists and was engaged in creative work abroad. His works are kept in museums of Baku and Moscow. Hundreds of books published in the publishing houses of our country, including such as “Kitabi Dede Gorgud”, “Koroglu”, “Azerbaijan Fairy Tales”, “Khayyam”, were designed by this remarkable artist.
Along with painting, Elchin Mammadov, who has a penchant for acting, has created full-fledged characters in several films shot in different years. Mirpasha in “My seven sons” and Garaja Choban in “Dede Gorgud” are among the favorite movie characters of millions of viewers.
In addition, he played in such films as “Treasure”, "Heavy Dresser”, “A Wedding Invitation”, “Clouds are Our Umbrellas”, “Dante’s Anniversary”, “Odd Fellow”, “Unfinished Song”, “Locked Door”, “Once”, “Sorcerer”.
Elchin Mammadov, the chief designer of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre, was awarded the State Prize of Azerbaijan in 1984 for the play “Iblis”. In 1991 he was awarded the Honoured Artist title. In 1999 and 2001, he was awarded the Golden Dervish Prize of the Union of Theatre Workers of Azerbaijan.
The last performance by Elchin Mammadov as the production designer was the play “Hamlet”, staged by Azer Pasha Nematov. But due to sudden death, his work remained unfinished. Elchin Mammadov died on 18 February, 2001.