Noroviin Baatar

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. 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.
In 1936, Baatar was born in Aldarkhaan soum, 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.
After completing People's Republic of Mongolia's only arts and dance middle school in 1946-1950, 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.
In 1977, Baatar was elected to become Deputy Member of the Mongolian Trade Union central council.
In addition to performing in Mongolia, Baatar danced in Georgia, the Soviet Union, Hungary, China, Romania, Moldavia, and Yugoslavia. 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, he 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". 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".
Baatar also acted in films. He played the role of Erdene, the protagonist of The Clear Tamir [mn] (Тунгалаг Тамир), a trilogy of Mongolian historical drama films (1970–73), 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.
Baatar was married to People's Artist of Mongolia and singer Dashbaldangiin Purevsuren. He died in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 25 September 2024, at the age of 88.