THE IMAGE OF MUKHTAR MUTIN IN TATAR LITERATURE
The article studies the problem of artistic reception of Mukhtar Mutin's image in Tatar literature. He was an actor, director, and theatrical figure who made huge contributions to the formation of the national theater among the Tatars and Bashkirs. His early roles were characterized by passion, spirituality, and overexpression with elements of naturalism. In 1930, his work, while maintaining a romantic pathos, acquired a realistic depth. In 1937, he was arrested and exiled to a camp, where he tragically died in 1941. He was posthumously rehabilitated in 1963. Our study is based on I. Salakhov's novel-chronicle “Kolyma Stories” (1989) and M. Mirza's dramatic poem “Mokhtar” (2020). The study proves that Tatar writers desire to perpetuate the memory of the great figure of national culture. I. Salakhov describes the last days of the brilliant tragic actor's life in prison. The narration is based on solid factual grounds. The writer skillfully exploits the “recognition episode”, the techniques of antithesis and contrast. A “theatrical plot” manifests itself in the title “Two Meetings with Othello”. In his dramatic poem, M. Mirza reduces documentalism to a minimum. His story about M. Mutin develops against a broad historical background, balancing at the intersection of reality and fiction. Without haste, the poet exploits a game strategy. The “theatrical plot” makes itself felt both at the level of the events, and in the system of characters, the genre of the work. The quotes play a huge role, referring the reader to the works of world and Tatar literature. The image of M. Mutin is represented in a tragic way.