NASIBA ABOUT NASIBA

Nasiba Zeynalova is a great Azerbaijani actress who became near and dear for millions of spectators. She was trusted and loved by all without exception. During her acting career, Nasiba Zeynalova received numerous awards - medals of honour and titles. She was an honoured artist of the Azerbaijan SSR (1960) and a people's artist of the Azerbaijan SSR (1967). The role of Qizbaci in the performance "Hicran" earned her a state prize. In 1997, Nasiba Zeynalova was awarded the Order of Glory for her invaluable contribution to the development of national art. And on the day of her death, the actress was awarded a medal of the Union of Theatrical Figures. The Azerbaijani youth theatre and an oil tanker in the port of Taganrog were named after this great woman. On 20 April 2016, the main "qaynana" (mother-in-law) of Azerbaijan would have turned 100. The actress's granddaughter, who was named after her grandmother, Nasiba Asgarova, recalls what Nasiba Zeynalova was like in real life and many other things.

- Nasiba, what was your grandmother like outside the screen and the scene?

- She was caring, kind, fair and strict. Until my marriage, I lived in my grandmother's house. I was her first and favourite granddaughter, and, of course, she was very fond of me, but she never spoiled me. My grandmother was very strict, for which I'm even grateful to her. Today, when I already have children of my own, I understand that Nasiba was right. Children shouldn't be allowed to do whatever they want, especially in our time and in our world, which is oversaturated with information, temptations, people and acquaintances. Children should be children and not grow up too soon. Many thought that my sister Nazrin and I grew up spoiled and capricious, because we are granddaughters of the famous and beloved actress Nasiba Zeynalova. Believe me, it's not true! We grew up in an iron grip. We were not allowed to idly mooch around the yard with friends and were forbidden to go to our classmates' birthday parties. All this was done not because they didn't trust us. Rather, it was distrust in the outside world. I remember, after my "last call" at school, my grandmother didn't let me go to the prom, which was held in a Baku restaurant. And I didn't even try to argue with her. My grandmother's word was law! But we went to theatres, cinemas and exhibitions more than other children. Together with grandma or mum. Grandma believed that a girl shouldn't have friends, because, in her words, "onlar ev yixar" - they ruin lives. Nasiba Zeynalova often said that only mother, sister or grandmother can be friends. And she was right. I have many friends and acquaintances, but I entrust the most intimate things only to my mother and sister. I have the same close and warm relationship with my three daughters. For me she was simply a grandmother, a beloved "nana" (grandma). Of course, I realized that she was also a famous actress that everyone knew in Azerbaijan. Basking in glory and national love, Nasiba never acted like a prima donna. She was so natural and genuine that there was not a single person who didn't like her.

- And how did dad bring you up? He certainly spoiled her favourite daughter?

- (Laughs) Not really ... He was the strictest in the family, though he didn't interfere in the educational process radically. Dad worked in the Saki Drama Theatre for a long time and came home only on weekends and holidays. Therefore, my sister and I were brought up by my grandmother and mother. I remember that as children we were given money to buy buns at school. Each of us was given 5 qapiks. Once, in early spring, I persuaded my sister after school to buy an ice cream instead of buns. You know this ice cream in cups for 10 qapiks. Naturally, we decided that mum and grandma don't need to know about it. It was still very cool outside, and we could become ill. My sister and I saved on buns for two days so as to have enough money for two cups. And then we ate the tasty delicacy with great pleasure. I made my sister promise that she would keep it secret. But as soon as we came home, my younger sister told my mother about everything and my grandmother overheard it. Nasiba xanim called me into the kitchen, sat me in front of her and looking straight in my eyes, she asked: "Tell me what you ate after school today." I shamelessly said that we bought buns. After a long pause, grandma whispered in my ear: "Then why do I see two cups of ice cream in your eyes?" She deftly grabbed my head, opened my mouth and quickly emptied the pepper shaker on the kitchen table in it. "Never lie to anyone," she said and made me sit in the kitchen with a burning mouth until the evening.

- And then you realized that grandma wasn't to be trifled with. She recognized lies from the eyes...

- (Laughs) I'll remember this lesson all my life. My grandmother was strict, but fair. She had enormous patience. She never screamed at my sister and me and didn't put us into the corner. She punished us, as they say, "for the benefit of the mind". She forced us to solve a huge number of mathematical examples and write dictations. If she taught us something, she didn't scream, but explained patiently and sometimes several times how to do it right. I remember that she taught me to knit napkins for the table. I liked to do needlework, but wasn't very patient. Once I decided to quickly knit a napkin to show off in front of my grandmother. I hurried a lot, knitted it in a few minutes and ran to Nasiba xanim. She looked at my needlework, asked me to bring the scheme by which I was knitting, and said to me: "My daughter, you missed loops in several places, and here you have an extra loop. Remember, if you start doing something, do it perfectly." Grandma made me dissolve the thread and begin to knit from the beginning, slowly checking the scheme. As a result, I spent three days knitting one napkin.

- You were born and raised in a family of actors. I wonder what profession the granddaughter of Nasiba Zeynalova chose.

- After school, I was at a crossroads. I had to choose between the Azerbaijan Languages University and the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. I had been learning English since childhood and already spoke it sufficiently well. I also dreamed of the theatre stage and wanted to become an actress. Dad wanted me to connect my life with international diplomacy. But I wasn't interested in it. I had to choose one of the two universities on my list. And then dad told me: "You already know English anyway. Don't waste your time studying what you already know. It's better to choose a profession which you might be interested in learning to comprehend and in which you'll learn a lot." I followed my father's advice and entered the Theatre Faculty of the University of Culture and Arts. Grandma supported me in my choice. After the university, I worked in the Theatre of the Young Spectator for two years. I performed in front of children, which I really liked. Unfortunately, grandmother was already seriously ill at the time, and she couldn't see me on the stage. Dad already lived and worked in Turkey, and beside me there were no people who could teach me the acting profession and share experience. Disappointed in the job, I decided to leave the theatre. On hearing this, grandma didn't try to persuade me to stay, and it seemed to me, she was even a little happy. She often said to me that an actor's life is very difficult and sometimes dramatic. (Thoughtful) You know, my grandmother and I often talked. When I was little, she loved to tell me about her life and how much she suffered as a child. Unfortunately, I was too young at the time and didn't attach great importance to her stories. If I was older, I would have recorded each of our conversations. Between me and Nasiba xanim there was a very large difference in age - 60 years, and she could have been my great-grandmother. When my father was born, grandma was 39 years old.

- Did Nasiba xanim tell you about her childhood?

- Yes. Grandmother had a difficult childhood. She was born in a family of merchant Cahangir Zeynalov, who loved and admired theatre. He played an important role in the development of Azerbaijani realistic theatre. My grandmother's parents lived in a huge house with forty rooms, which was located on the site of the present chess school at the corner of Mirzaga Aliyev and Husu Haciyev streets. My great-grandfather allocated the largest room, which accommodated 250 people, to actors and installed a stage. Every day, they rehearsed there and staged plays. And after rehearsals, Nasiba's parents treated the actors to a delicious lunch, which my great-grandmother Husniya cooked herself. By the way, Husniya was younger than her husband by 25-odd years. They didn't have children for 12 years, and when the little Nasiba was born, their joy knew no bounds. In March 1918, when the Bolshevik and Armenian Dashnaktsutyun forces massacred the Azerbaijani population of the city, granny's father was visiting his father-in-law in Iran. As soon as Cahangir learned of the tragic events, he returned home and found out that the Armenians had killed his mother Asli. After that, my great-grandfather became ill and died. All his possessions were taken away by the Bolsheviks, and the little Nasiba and her mom Husniya were left with nothing. Desperate, grandmother decided to marry again, hoping that this would improve her daughter's life. But her new husband turned out to be a dishonest person. He sold off the most valuable things and left the family. Husniya was very ill, and 14-year-old Nasiba had to work. She made folders and envelopes for silkworms, completely abandoning school. My grandmother told me that she once made 14,000 envelopes instead of the daily working norm of 9,000 envelopes and received 27 roubles for that. On that day, she bought her mother a gift - Persian-thread stockings and candies for her younger sister and brother (Husniya's daughter and son from her second marriage - author).

- Nasiba xanim played many different roles, ably turning from one image into another. One of the most memorable ones was the role of qaynana Cannat xala in Huseyn Seyidzada's film with the same name. And what kind of qaynana was she for your mom?

- She was the best and the most sincere qaynana. But my mother Elnara was a good daughter-in-law. Nasiba accepted her daughter-in-law immediately, unconditionally and forever. My grandmother treated my mother like a daughter, and she responded to her with love and respect. Mom always said that if a daughter-in-law treats her mother-in-law like a mother, the mother-in-law will also love her like a daughter. I believe that ideal family relations lie in this simple formula. I myself have been living under the same roof as my mother-in-law for 16 years, and I regard her as my family and loved one.

- I wonder how Nasiba xanim accepted your spouse. What was the "test of strength" like?

- I met Camal at the institute. We talked for a long time and got used to each other. And when we decided that we wanted to get married, I first took him to get acquainted with my grandmother. My parents were away: father and mother were already living and working in Turkey. My father was much stricter than my grandmother, and approaching him with talk about marriage was not so easy. I decided that if grandmother approves my choice and my future husband, dad will have to agree with her. Nasiba xanim had a long talk with Camal, and when he left, she told me: "My daughter, I liked him. He's a very nice guy." This meant that my grandmother had agreed to the marriage. It remained to pass dad's "test". When my parents visited Baku again, I introduced Camal to dad. They had a long conversation behind closed doors, and I couldn't find a place for myself from the excitement. Grandmother comforted me and repeated that dad will definitely agree to the wedding. When they finally left the room, I realized from the contended face of my dad that Camal passed the test.

- And what did your grandmother say about how she met your grandfather Mutallib? It was probably a very interesting story...

- My grandfather was a musician of Azgoskonsert. He was the first to accompany Zeynab Xanlarova, Elmira Rahimova and many other performers. Nasiba was introduced to my grandfather by Mirza Babayev during a tour in Uzbekistan. Mutallib muallim was younger than Nasiba xanim by 11 years! But the age difference didn't prevent them from marrying and being together for a long 40 years of life. I remember how gently and tenderly granddad treated grandma. It was true love. They understood each other perfectly well. Actually, I had a special relationship with grandfather. I loved him madly and was connected with him by some invisible thread. I spent a lot of time with him, he was playing with me, telling some funny stories and giving advice. I remember that when I fell over and cut my knees in the kindergarten, I desperately cried and called my grandfather for help. He was my support and protection. When he died, I was 16 years old, and I grieved over his death. It was perhaps one of the most dramatic moments of my life. I still always carry a photograph of him with me. The second blow, which crippled me very much, came after 10 years after his death, when grandma died. They say that time dulls the pain of losing loved ones ... It's not true. There isn't less pain. You just resign yourself to the reality, but the longing for your loved ones, whom you'll never see, becomes more acute and tangible.