Namzhil Garmaevich Baldano

Born Oct. 20, 1907, in the ulus (village) of Orongoi, Ivolginsk aimak. Buriat Soviet playwright, actor, director. People’s Artist of the Buriat ASSR (1938). Member of the CPSU since 1940.

In his plays, Baldano portrayed the vicious class struggle in the countryside and the victory of collectivization and the kolkhoz structure: Breakthrough (1932), One of Many (1937), Baikal Fishermen (1942), Baiangol (1947), and Flame (1953). He is the author of the librettos of the operas and ballets Light Over the Valley (1950), The Beautiful Angara (1957), and Adopted Brothers (1958). He compiled the composite text of the epos Gesar (1959 edition). He has been awarded two orders.