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{{Infobox person
| name = Baluan Sholak
| image = Baluan Sholak.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption =
| birth_name = Nurmagambetov
| birth_date = 11 December 1864
| birth_place = Karaotkel, Akmola Province, Kazakhstan
| death_date = 1919
| death_place =
| other_names =
| known_for =
| occupation = Composer, singer, poet, dombra player, dzhigit and wrestler
| nationality = Kazakh Türk
}}
'''Baluan Sholak''' ({{lang-kk|Балуан Шолақ}}, 1864–1919), was a Kazakh Türk composer, singer, poet, [[dombra]] player, [[dzhigit]] and wrestler.

==Biography==
Baluan Sholak was born on 11 December 1864, son of a carpenter,<ref name="Neonomad"/> in the village of Karaotkel near the Khan mountains in modern [[Akmola Province]], [[Kazakhstan]], and was named Nurmagambetov. At a young age he lost fingers in an accident when his right hand was burnt, and became known as Baluan Sholak, "Fingerless Fighter".<ref name="Orexca"/> As a boy and young man, he demonstrated daring, leadership, agility and extraordinary strength.

He gained fame as a singer of [[Music of Kazakhstan|Kazakh songs]], promoting the songs of Birzhan Kozhagulova and Achan Seri and composing songs himself. He travelled through [[Kokshetau]], Karaotkel, [[Bayanaul District|Bayan-Aul]], Irtysh, and [[Sarysu District|Sarysu]], staging performances with his troupe of [[dombra]] players, singers, storytellers, jockeys and wrestlers.<ref name="Neonomad"/> Some of his songs became very popular, including ''Галия'' (''Galia'') and ''Сентябрь'' (''September''). He was also an accomplished [[dzhigit]] (skilful horse rider), standing on the back of a galloping horse or riding under the horse's belly.<ref name="Neonomad"/> At his performances and at fairs he often demonstrated his strength, athletic ability and fighting prowess. After singing he would remove his colourful costume and lie on the ground, allowing members of his troupe to place a large boulder on his chest and then break the boulder with [[sledgehammer]]s.<ref name="Orexca"/> On one occasion at the [[Koyandinsk Fair]] he battled a well-known fighter named Carona and broke several ribs.

Baluan Sholak remained popular with his countrymen, combining heroic and poetic virtue. He gained a reputation for fighting against injustice and helping the poor and disadvantaged. His songs are still heard today, and the [[Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports]] in [[Almaty]], built in 1967 and seating 5000, is named in his honour.<ref name="Neonomad"/>

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Neonomad">{{cite web|author=Тимур Амиров |title=Певец и борец Балуан Шолак (The singer and fighter Baluan Sholak) |publisher=Neonomad |url=http://www.neonomad.kz/history/h_eurasiya/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=2278 |language=ru |accessdate=2012-04-23 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66Q1XruDe?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.neonomad.kz%2Fhistory%2Fh_eurasiya%2Findex.php%3FELEMENT_ID%3D2278 |archivedate=2012-03-25 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref>
<ref name="Orexca">{{cite web|url=http://www.kazakhstan.orexca.com/kazakh_names.shtml|title=Kazakh names :: Kazakh culture and national traditions|publisher=OrexCA|accessdate=2012-04-23}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
*[http://std3.ru/7a/6c/1420526911-7a6c500c89d24ce681b4b44bf2b010db.jpeg Photograph of Baluan Sholak lifting an ox weighing 816 kg]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sholak, Baluan}}
[[Category:Kazakhstani male singers]]
[[Category:Dughlats]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani composers]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani poets]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani male sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:1864 births]]
[[Category:1919 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century singers]]

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