At ninety years old, Lydia Ashrapova, a celebrated Soviet and Kazakh theater and film actress famed for the comedy Dzhigit Girl, passed away. Reports from a Russian newspaper confirmed the news.
The publication notes that Ashrapova died on April 21, marking the end of a long and influential artistic career.
Lydia Ashrapova was born on August 28, 1935, in the village of Yamga in Yakutia. Her early path in the performing arts led her to the Tashkent Choreographic School, from which she graduated in 1952. She began her professional journey shortly after, joining the Tashkent Philharmonic where she performed from 1952 to 1954. In the following years, she served as a soloist with the Kazakh Song and Dance Ensemble from 1956 to 1958, showcasing her versatility across music, dance, and stage work.
Her career continued at the Kazakhfilm studio, where Ashrapova built a name for herself as a screen performer. She first appeared on the big screen as Galia in the iconic musical comedy Dzhigit Girl (1955), a role that remains a cornerstone of her legacy. Over the years, she appeared in a range of films, including We Live Here, Fishermen of the Aral Sea, Back to Earth, and Joke and Seriously, among others, contributing to a vibrant era of Soviet cinema.
As the 1990s approached, Ashrapova transitioned away from Kazakhfilm, moving with her husband, cameraman Askhat Ashrapov, to the Moscow region. There she helped to establish Alliance Film, taking on the dual roles of artistic director and producer. This period reflected her continued commitment to storytelling, mentoring, and shaping new generations of filmmakers while maintaining a strong presence in the industry.
Her passing adds to a list of notable losses in the world of Soviet and Russian cinema. Ashrapova’s career bridged stage and screen, and her work remains part of the cultural fabric of the era. The broader context includes recollections of contemporaries such as Valentina Tumanova, a fellow actress whose passing was reported by the press as part of the same era of talent and influence.
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