“Ilyas Efendiyev's work 'You Are Always With Me' addresses the past and the present. It is a very successful work. This work has been beautifully performed both in theater and on television. The distinguished actress, People's Artist Amaliya Panahova made her stage debut with the character Nargila in 'You Are Always With Me.' I am very happy that the character of Nargila also brought me great success. My counterpart was the late artist Rasim Balayev. Drawing strength from him, I performed this work. I had a strong actor in front of me. I could not perform weakly. This was not only my success but the success of the entire actor troupe. I still benefit from the role of Nargila. Director Guljahan Gulahmedova adapted this work somewhat for the modern era. Of course, they can still refer to this work today. Naturally, a new actor troupe and a fresh actor’s vision are needed. If a director thinks to himself, ‘I will prepare a work that will be many times better than that one,’ he can refer to this work. If you ask me who can play the role of Hasanzade after Rasim Balayev?! To be honest, I do not see any such actor yet. I do not see an actor who can replace Teacher Rasim. The Nargila character is 17 years old. Since I do not know young actresses, I do not know who could play this role better than I did.”
This was said by Honored Artist, Azerbaijani actress living in Turkey Malahat Abbasova in an interview with Medianews.az.
She further stated that when imitating and parodying great artists, permission must be obtained from their heirs:
“It is normal to remember artists by embodying their characters and performing in that character. Just as the characters of geniuses like Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev and Huseyn Javid were created in the past. This is normal. It is to keep these artists alive. For example, in the film ‘The Morning Messenger,’ the role of Akhundzade was played by Rasim Balayev, and I portrayed his wife, Mrs. Tubu. There is a difference between respectfully remembering a great personality as an actor and parodying. If it becomes mockery or parody, it is unacceptable. But there is a limit to this. That limit must not be crossed. Today, of course, there are those who dress like Mrs. Nasiba and parody her. Mrs. Nasiba has passed away, but her heir, Jahangir Novruzov, exists. Of course, when taking such steps, one must obtain permission from Jahangir Zeynalov. This permission should be taken out of respect. Teacher Jahangir can give his opinions as well. Because Mrs. Nasiba was not just any artist, not just any actress. Teacher Jahangir can make suggestions so that it is not taken in poor taste and so on. Usually, comedy is performed to make everyone laugh here. They put it in the form of mockery. Jahangir teacher should have been aware of the parodied image of Mrs. Nasiba. I will not mention names, but years ago someone said, ‘I opened a theater in Moscow named after Nasiba Zeynalova.’ That person told me this. I told Teacher Jahangir. You can imagine how upset he was.. He said, ‘I am looking for that person, what do they think? Who opens a theater in my mother’s name without permission?’ Teacher Jahangir found and confronted that person with the necessary words. The name of that theater was later changed. In Azerbaijan, these permissions are oral, but in Turkey they are regulated in writing and by legislation. The punishment is greater in Turkey.”
Ali Asgar,
Medianews.az
