Kiazim Ziia, Dzhafar Ogly

(pseudonym of Dzhafar Ogly Kiazimzade). Born Mar. 21 (Apr. 2), 1896, in the village of Iukhary-Eilisli, present-day Ordubad Raion; died Dec. 30, 1956, in Baku. Soviet Azerbaijani actor, People’s Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR (1943). Member of the CPSU (1944).

Kiazim made his stage debut in 1916. In 1921 he began work in the M. Azizbekov Azerbaijani Theater in Baku. His character portrayals were vividly realistic: Tomson (Morning of the East by Mamedkhanly), Usta-Seigakh (The Lucky Ones by Rakh-man), and Sheikh Nasrulla (The Corpses by Mamedkulizade). He also acted in films. From the mid-1920’s he taught at the Theatrical School, the M. Aliev Azerbaijani Institute of Art (Baku), and other educational institutions. He was awarded the State Prize of the USSR (1948), the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and a number of medals.