Noroviin Baatar or Baatar Norov (Cyrillic Mongolian: Н.Баатар; Traditional Mongolian: ᠨ ∙ ᠪᠠᠭᠠᠲᠤᠷ; 1936 – 25 September 2024) was a Mongolian ballet dancer and actor. Noroviin Baatar performed in over 60 ballets, in 21 of which he was the lead dancer.https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost As one of Mongolia’s first professional ballet dancers, Baatar was Honored Artist of Mongolia for his contributions to the development of classical ballet. Baatar also acted in films and television commercials. He is best known for his portrayal of Erdene in Tungalag Tamir, a trilogy of historical drama films.
Early life and education In 1936, Baatar was born in Aldarkhaan District, Zavkhan aimag as the only son of the local courier and traditional healer Norov and the herdswoman Donoi of the Sartuul. After moving to Ulaanbaatar from Zavkhan with his family during his childhood, Baatar completed the only arts and dance middle school in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in 1950, and graduated Perm State Choreographic College in Perm, Soviet Union on a full scholarship in 1962 with distinction.
Career
After completing People's Republic of Mongolia's only arts and dance middle school in 1946-1950,Gankhuyag Naidan. The Encyclopedia of Mongolian Theater (Ulaanbaatar: Majestic Publishing, 2020) . p. 56 Baatar worked at State Musical Drama Theatre in Ulaanbaatar as a full-time dancer, and then went to Russia to pursue further education in 1959–1962. From 1963 on, Baatar worked as a professional ballet dancer at Mongolian State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet until 1989.T. Tuul (2022). Монголын Баллет [Mongolian Ballet], Ulaanbaatar: Jikom Pressь , p. 188-189
In 1977, Baatar was elected to become Deputy Member of the Mongolian Trade Union central council.J. Jav, Монголын балетын урлагийн хөгжил [The development of Mongolian ballet art], Ulaanbaatar: State Publishing Department, 1983. p. 138
In addition to performing in Mongolia, Baatar danced in Georgia, the Soviet Union, Hungary, China, Romania, Moldavia, and Yugoslavia.T. Tuul (2022). Монголын Баллет [Mongolian ballet], Ulaanbaatar: Jikom Press, p. 188-189 At Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre and Leningrad’s Kirov Theatre, he performed alongside renowned dancers such as People’s Artists of the Soviet Union L. Sakhyanova and N. Chistokov. Moreover, Baatar performed in famous theatres like the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko theatres, as well as in theatres in Romania, Yugoslavia, and several other countries. In 1969 the Government of Mongolia awarded him the title of Honored Artist of Mongolia for his contributions to the development of classical ballet.
Even after his retirement in 1989, Baatar was invited to perform in ballets such as Giselle, Swan Lake and The Fountain of Bakhchisarai until the early 2010s, due to his highly regarded dancing skills.
One critic says "N. Baatar has dedicated his rich, versatile experience and talent to the development of our classical dance and ballet. He is one of the veteran artists who serves as a role model for young artists. N. Baatar dances and acts with thoughtful precision in every movement. His performance is fluid and never excessive, skillfully transitioning from one role to another with genuine emotional expression".J. Jav, Монголын балетын урлагийн хөгжил [The development of Mongolian ballet art], Ulaanbaatar: State Publishing Department, 1983. p. 137 Another critic also praises "[Baatar's] ability to enrich the fundamental movements he learned from the Perm Classical Ballet School with his inner emotions elevated him to the ranks of great dancers".Gankhuyag Naidan. The Encyclopedia of Mongolian Theater (Ulaanbaatar: Majestic Publishing, 2020) . p. 56
Baatar also acted in films. He played the role of Erdene, the protagonist of (Тунгалаг Тамир),Christopher Atwood. Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire (New York: Facts on File: 2004), p. 337 a trilogy of Mongolian historical drama films (1970–73),https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16740239/?ref_=tt_ov_st_1https://www.discovermongolia.mn/blogs/4-mongolian-films-you-must-watch based on the famous novel of the same name, and appeared as a Jurchen court official in Munkh Tengeriin Khuchin Dor [By the Power of Eternal Heaven], a 1992 film depicting the biography of Genghis Khan.
Personal life and death Baatar was married to People's Artist of Mongolia and singer Dashbaldangiin Purevsuren.https://web.archive.org/web/20260714113503/https://ulaanbaatar.todmagnai.mn/n/i3 He died in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 25 September 2024, at the age of 88.
Selected dancing performances + No Year Composers Ballet and Performance Titles Main Roles 1 1953 Jamyan Our Collective Young Haymaker 2 1956 B. Asaryev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai Vaclav (Lead Role) 3 1958 S. Gonchigsurnaa Ganhuyag Ganhuyag (Lead Role) 4 1958 F. Yarullin Forest Spirit Aly Batar 5 1962 B. Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai Khan Girey 6 1963 Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade Sindbad the Sailor 7 1964 Leo Delibes The Girl with Blue Eyes Czardas Dance Soloist 8 1965 A. Zorina The Boy with the Onion Prince Orange 9 1965 E. Choidog The Flower Among Weeds Fierce Eagle 10 1965 S. Gonchigsurnaa Village Fair Khaydar 11 1967 C. Pugni Esmeralda Phoebus 12 1968 E. Choidog Eternal Friendship Dorlig 13 1968 B. Damdinsuren Legend of the Lake Suren Taij 14 1969 C. Gounod "Faust" Opera, Walpurgis Night Bacchus, God of Wine 15 1970 S. Gonchigsurnaa Friends Nasan Galdan Zangi 16 1971 L. Minkus Don Quixote Lorenzo the Toreador 17 1971 B. Asafyev The Flames of Paris Basque Dance 18 1972 S. Prokofiev Cinderella Cinderella's Father 19 1973 B. Damdinsuren The Hunter and the Deer Wolf 20 1973 E. Choidog Melody of Music Group Dance 21 1973 J. Chuluun Uran Khas Nobleman, Tiger 22 1975 A. Morozov Doctor Aybolit Baramaley 23 1975 P.I. Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Rothbart 24 1977 Spanish Folk Music Spanish Dance Collection Elegant Young Man 25 1977 E. Choidog Silver Crest Demon 26 1979 A. Adam Giselle Duke 27 1981 Z. Khangal Mountain of Treasures Copper Dance 28 1982 K. Kara-Karaev On the Path of Thunder Herd's Soldier 29 1982 P.I. Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Father 30 1984 A. Khachaturian Spartacus Shepherd's Dance 31 1985 D. Shostakovich Circle of Peace Group Dance 32 1986 A. Adam Le Corsaire Lord Saint 33 1987 J. Mend-Amar Three Heads of Fate Ceremony Official 34 1988 V. Boroldoi Song of the Shepherds Old Ravjikh 35 1989 L. Minkus La Bayadère Brahmin Priest 36 1990 P.I. Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty King 37 1990 S. Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet Montague
Filmography Tungalag Tamir (1970–1973), a trilogyhttps://www.discovermongolia.mn/blogs/4-mongolian-films-you-must-watch of historical drama films – Erdenehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm16740239/?ref_=tt_ov_st_1 Munkh Tengeriin Khuchin Dor (1992) – A Jin court officialhttps://x.com/ts_davka1/status/1838977051648520353
Honours and awards Meritorious Artist/Honored Artist of Mongolia (Монгол Улсын Гавьяат Жүжигчин, 1969)T. Tuul (2022). Монголын Баллет [Mongolian ballet] (Ulaanbaatar: Jikom Press) , p. 188 Lodoidamba Award (Лодойдамбын нэрэмжит шагнал, 2000) Cultural Leading Worker medal (Соёлын тэргүүний ажилтан)
References
External links Baatar Norov at IMDb Noroviin Baatar at Кино-Театр.ру Baatar Norov at Mongolian Film Institute