(based on the epic “Semetey” of the trilogy “Manas”)
Bilim Aitysh project of the Internews in Kyrgyzstan and the Kyrgyz National Theater “Manas” jointly represent
the musical, dramatic and poetic production “Taitoru”.
About
The play “Taitoru” is presented as a final result of the annual educational and creative laboratories organized for manaschys under Media-K’s Bilim Aitysh Project carried out by Internews in Kyrgyzstan. The scene with Taitoru is being staged for the first time.
Internews in Kyrgyzstan invited some of the best specialists, experts, and masters in Kyrgyzstan for the production of the play.
Director:
Shamil Dyikanbaev, founder of the Theater Studio Muroktun Suusu, Director of the Chui Regional Theater. A talented stage director who won awards at several international festivals and staged the play “Uluu Bayan” based on the Manas Epic.
Script: Samat Kochorbaev, Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, manaschy
Kulmat Sydykov – outstanding cultural figure, manaschy.
Actors:
Kanykey (wife of Manas, mother of Semetey) – Ainur Akylbekova, actress of the Youth Theater.
Temirkan (Kanykey’s father) – Azat Baibekov, actor of the Puppet Theater and the Manas Theater.
Ismail (Kanykey’s brother) – Talgar Anarbekov, actor of the Manas Theater.
Manaschys – Samat Kochorbaev, Kulmat Sydykov, Akkyz Abasbekova.
Semetey is played by participants in the educational program of the Bilim Aitysh Project, 12-14-year-old young manaschis Ularbek Mirlanov, Arsen Ydyrysov, Kasymbek Berdikulov, Ariet Tynchtykbekov, Said Zholochiev, Uzarbek Anarbaev.
Akyns: Akmatbek Sultanov, Kutman Sadybakasov.
Composers:
Ishenbek uulu Emilbek, musician of the group El akyny Estebes of the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic, laureate of several international competitions, author of the songs “Ala Toonun uulumun”, “Kabylan”, “Cheksizdik”, “Kambarkan”.
Kambar Kalendov, сomposer, multi-instrumentalist, leader of the group “Urkör”, artistic director of the folklore ensemble Kyrgyz Kairyk, laureate and winner of many international festivals.
Stage decorations: Ruslan Dzhunusaliev, artist of the Kyrgyz Drama Theater.
Costume design:
Janysh Botoy, designer, one of the founders of the companies Ormon Branding, Cerebro Branding, Cinemart Production, Kronos Studio.
Aidai Asangulova – founder of the Kiyiz Duino Foundation, expert in traditional applied crafts.
Gulsana Atоmkulova – expert in Kyrgyz traditions, designer, technologist.
The annotation
After Manas’s death, his wife Kanykei is forced to flee from the cruelty of Manas’s relatives. On her horse Taitoru, Kanykei escapes to Bukhara with her six-month-old son Semetey and her mother-in-law Chyiyrdy. Guarding Semetey’s life, Kanykei trusts her brother Ismail and her son’s upbringing. Semetey grows up knowing nothing about his origins and his true parents and ancestors in the palace of Khan Temirkan, Kanykei’s father.
At 12-year-old Semetey already resembles a real warrior, powerful, big, and agile. Every day he rides through the city to the place of military exercises with his brave and noisy fellow guards, causing discontent among the residents of Bukhara. During one of such trips, a violent conflict broke out between the townspeople and Semetey’s guards. Outraged residents come to Semetey’s grandfather, Khan Temirkan, and demand to punish and restrain the boy or send the “stranger” Semetey home, as many knew about his true origin.
Khan Temirkan realizes the demand could be deadly to his beloved grandson. To calm the people down and stop Semetey’s erratic behavior, which was spoiled by palace life, he decides to give him responsibility over the state and proclaim him the Khan of Bukhara. Temirkan calls for a huge feast and unprecedented horse races with lavish rewards.
Kanykei is not happy about the news. She realizes that Semetey’s childish carelessness and spree could come at a high cost of bearing responsibility for the state – too big and too early for his age. Moreover, Semetey risked becoming a reckless, bloody ruler without knowing and understanding his true noble roots. Devastated by the looming doom, Kanykei is suddenly shaken by an idea to participate in the royal races with her faithful horse Taitoru. The idea seems insane – Taitoru is quite old and not suitable for races (60 asyi/years). However, Kanykei believes that this is a sign given by the spirit of Manas himself, and it is through Taitoru’s victory in the races that Semetey will be able to realize his belonging to the great heritage, values of the noble warrior and embark on the path of Manas.
At that time, Kanykei was a vulnerable runaway and a dependent widow. Despite this, she takes courage to prepare her horse for the races, risking the reputation of the entire khan’s family and exposing herself to mortal danger – all for the sake of the future of Semetey and the people. Seeking support and blessings, she shares the plan with her mother-in-law Chyiyrdy, who is very old and lives only in the hope of Semetey’s return to his homeland in Talas. Chyiyrdy agrees with Kanykei that the return to the homeland may never happen if Semetey becomes a khan and does not learn about his true roots. Therefore, she wholeheartedly gives her blessing to Kanykei.
On the day of the races, Kanykei rides out in front of the people on a horse wearing the clothes and armor of Manas, which causes bewilderment and anger among the townspeople. It was seen as incredible audacity, an attempt to socialize with men and even remarry. Kanykei’s participation in the races was interpreted as a disgraceful thirst for gold and money. Both were a great insult to the citizens of the ancient Bukhara, who paid taxes to support the widowed princess.
Having received numerous dissatisfied complaints, Kanykei’s brother Ismail perceived her actions as an insult to the khan’s family and the memory of Manas. He orders Semetey to kill the impudent Kanykei as soon as the races are over. Semetey realizes that the honor of the family is more important than the lives of its members, but does not fully agree.
However, when he is ready to carry out Ismail’s order, Semetey suddenly hears voices and the words “Manas” and “Kyrgyz” unknown to him. He is struck and amazed by an incredible inner feeling – something rises inside Semetey. The spirit of Manas and inner knowledge about his family awakened in him. He raises his binoculars and sees Kanykei saying the same words in tears and prayer at the height of the race. In an instant, Semetey understands that Kanykei is not just a relative – she is his mother. Semetey decides to support his mother and Taitoru in the race and gives the appropriate order to his guards.
Meanwhile, Kanykei is aware of Ismail’s insidious plan and decides to commit suicide if Taitoru does not win the race to free Semetey from the sin of killing his mother. She calls upon the spirits of ancestors and the spirit of Manas to help Taitoru win, she calls for Manas to direct Semetey to the true path.
Kanykei firmly believes that her mission is to kindle the sense of true purpose in Semetey and return him to his homeland. Having invincible faith in the mission, the blessing of the elderly Chyiyrdy and the support of the spirit of Manas, risking her fate and life, she achieves the goal, changes the course of history and returns Semetey to the path of Manas.
What is the deep meaning of the scene “Races with Taitoru”?
The scene with Taitoru from the epic poem Manas reveals the role of a brave woman in a man’s destiny, the history of a family, and the motherland country.
This is a story about the dedication of a mother, about pure love, courage and sacrifice for future generations and the people. This story is about faith, women’s strength, deep understanding of the human mission and the search for a better future.
Even though Kanykei in those ancient times was a powerless widow, who could not raise her son freely, at a crucial fateful moment she goes against generally accepted rules, against the powerful family and common sense, to change the life of her son and the people.
The play “Taitoru” was staged within the Media-K project implemented by Internews in Kyrgyzstan and with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
