On May 1 this year, the People's Artist of Turkmenistan Kakabay Durdyev would have turned 102 years old. His creative biography began in the post-war years. Before that, there was a difficult childhood, a passion for theater in amateur studios, and studies.

1929 was a fateful year for the young artist. He joined the troupe of actors of the formed Turkmen Drama Theater named after Mollanepes. Here he found his soul mate - he married the theater actress Surai Muradova.

Unlike Surai, who by that time already had considerable experience in performing on the stage, the roles of Kakabai were not easy. The intelligent appearance of the actor was not very compatible with the images offered by the directors of that time. His finest hour came in the 60s, when young directors, graduates of the country's leading theatrical universities, turned to plays by playwrights known at that time.

In 1964, the premiere of A. Atajanov's play "The Kushkin Fortress" took place. The main role in it was played by Kakabay Durdyev.

- The most difficult thing for the father - recalls the daughter of K. Durdyev, now the Honored Art Worker of Turkmenistan, teacher of the Institute of Culture Maral Durdyev - turned out to be ... learning to burr. He was helped in this by the six-year-old Roma, the grandson of the famous actor and director I. Gromov, who then lived next door to us. Father watched for a long time how Roma communicated, for whom it was not easy to pronounce that very unyielding “rrrr”. Rehearsals took place around the clock.

Success in the "Kushkinskaya Fortress" was secured by the performance of the main roles in the performances of N. Pogodin "Kremlin Chimes" and "Man with a Gun".

The talent and merits of K. Durdyev were duly appreciated by the state. He is awarded the title of People's Artist of Turkmenistan.

In the last years of his life, Kakabay Durdyev often spoke in the media and on television. He liked the poetry of the great Kemine. Satirical, lyrical and philosophical works of Kemine performed by K. Durdyev were repeatedly heard at meetings with the public, as well as from TV screens and on the stage.

Theatrical images created by K. Durdyev are still being studied by young actors and students of the Institute of Culture. His contribution to the culture and theatrical history of Turkmenistan is great and remains invaluable to this day.