Baba Annanov takes notable place in the gallery of masters of the Turkmen cinematographic art. Owing to his multifaceted creative activity, the People’s Artist of Turkmenistan and USSR, laureate of the State Prize of Turkmenistan named after Magtymguly, one of the most popular Turkmen film actors, director, scriptwriter and writer Baba Annanov made huge contribution to the development of national culture and cinematography.

He was born in 1934. His childhood burnt by the war was hard as of most children of that period. Father – seyis died in the war, when the boy was 9 years old. When he was 14 – in tragic night of Ashgabat earthquake, he lost his mother. Love for mother and memory about her he carried through whole life. One of the most touching stories of Baba Annanov is called “Heart of mother”.

Love for Akhalteke horses was also kept forever in his heart. Blood of true horseman runs in his veins. He was excellent rider and it helped him during filming.

His coming to the cinema can be considered as happy chance that determined the fate of talented individual. He prepared to enter the law department of TSU, when he knew about intake of Turkmen group for Tashkent artistic-theatrical institute. Young boy immediately attracted the attention of selection committee. Young, tall, stately, with handsome features, expressive clever eyes had catchy actor’s “texture”. But mainly, his look had something charming, making to listen and sense the gaze, gestures, intonation…

After successful graduation of the Institute, Baba worked as actor in Drama Theatre, assistant director at the television. He first acted the leading part in movie with symbolic name – “The first examination”, having won a reputation as a talented and uncommon actor. In further films: “Bitter fate”, “Theft of racer” and others, he created bright unforgettable images. He was loved by viewers. It seemed that he had not played his characters but simply lived in their fate. He was so original and natural in every nuance.


Image of Artyk created by Baba Annanov in the film of Alty Karliyev “Decisive step” left ineffaceable trace in the Turkmen cinematographic art. It brought great popularity, recognition and sincere love of viewers for the actor.

In the novels and stories of Baba Annanov for staging of performances and movies, it was revived his recollections of childhood, reflected the peculiarities of national psychology, traditions and everyday life. To the story “Ak at” (“White horse”), he staged a touching performance about fate of mother and son, who experienced long separation. His story “Kyarizgeny” became the foundation of the film “Doves live in kyariz”. It was the first large feature film of director Baba Annanov. Film distinguished with particular power of emotional, aesthetic and artistic influence on viewer run with bright grief and love became one of the best works of the author and entered into gold fund of national cinematography. To his story “She-wolf”, son Kerim Annanov shot a short film that gained several awards in the film festivals.

According to recollections of contemporaries, Baba Annanov was a man of great and tender soul. He appreciated the friendship. In the life, he was supported and warmed with true and strong friendship of such outstanding actors as Akmyrat Byashimov, Hommat Mullyuk, Artyk Jalliyev. They were not only the friends, but also his colleagues. He always listened to their opinion and valued their advices.

The last works of Baba Annanov were the film “Zohre and Tahir”, which screen script he wrote to the destan of Mollanepes in co-authorship with D. Khudaikuliyev and where he played one of the leading parts – ruler, father of Zohre, as well as movie Bilbil Mammedov “Destan of my youth” – the height of his mastery, film that became original creative testament to colleagues.

I would like to complete the story about outstanding actor, star of the Turkmen cinema with words of his daughter Bakhar Allakova:

- In his creativity, my father always strived for sincerity. True of life was main criterion for him in creation of the images of heroes on the stage and cinema – from young artist up to wise man Azadi.

Creativity of Baba Annanov – the golden page of the Turkmen cinematography. He died but his characters live on the screen, continuing to excite the audience, awaking in them the feelings, and making to think about eternal human values.