Ludmila Babkova: A Legend of Her Own



Babkova and I (Photo by Brent Shambaugh)

Babkova with my bunny Giz near Santa Monica Beach

I would like to tell you about an extraordinary person named Ludmila Babkova. She was in my ballroom dance class during my fall 2010 semester at Santa Monica College. Though she turned 80 this past February, she continues to move with such grace, poise, and beauty of movement. In the time that I have spent since that semester, her story has begun to unravel. She was quite the Russian ballerina with what is now the famed State Ballet of Georgia, which toured Royce Hall at UCLA back in February 2008. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hUoRFJmBhE Lali Kandelaki, current dancer of the State Ballet of Georgia in the title role from Chabukiani’s ballet Laurencia

Babkova worked with the legendary Vakhtang Chabukiani, one of the most famous male ballet dancers in history. He is said to have defined the male Russian dancer for generations to come. Babkova was quite surprised when I told her I wanted to interview her, especially since it was in English, a language that I have helped her learn. When she looked through her memorabilia, Babkova was delighted to find numerous photographs and negatives that she thought had been lost forever.

Chabukiani with legendary Russian Ballerina Maya Plisetskaya in Chabukiani's ballet Laurencia
(Photo courtesy Wikkipedia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NL3ugxp9XQ Tribute to Chabukiani on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NL3ugxp9XQ Chabukiani’s Biography

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Babkova was an only child. Her parents sent her to recreational dance classes at the age of five. Her teacher recognized her talent and wanted her to attend the Tbilisi Theatre of Opera and Ballet’s choreographic school when she was around nine. Babkova’s parents eventually agreed to let her attend, but they were extremely reluctant. At the age of twelve, a talent scout from Leningrad came to her school and invited Babkova to train in Leningrad. Unfortunately Babkova got pneumonia and her parents wouldn’t let her go. However, though she pitied losing an opportunity of a lifetime, Babkova finished her schooling in Tbilisi and joined the Tbilisi Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Chabukiani was at the theatre and school during her final two years at the school.

After graduating from the school at age 17, Babkova joined the Tbilisi Theatre of Opera and Ballet’s, where Chabukiani realized her talent and began giving her solo roles at a faster rate than the other dancers. “He quickly drew attention to me because I was a very diligent worker, says Babkova. “I was crazy for dance and I was brave. I tried to show what I could and I know that he liked it.” Some of Babkova’s favorite roles include Zarema in The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountain_of_Bakhchisarai_(ballet Mercedes in Don Quixote, and Odile in Swan Lake. In 1965, she received an honored dancer of Georgia award from the CCCP. She also married her childhood friend Artem, a journalist and actor. Together, they had one child named Vadim when she was still a dancer with the company.

After completing her requirement of two decades with the company, Babkova, spent four years at the Georgian Art Institute where she trained to be a ballet master and choreographer. During one of those years, she was also ballet mistress and choreographer for Raro, a well-known variety performance ensemble. “I was always running,” says Babkova. Despite her success with Raro, Babkova declined to relocate with the company to Spain after a year with the company. Babkova’s mother was not well. Chabukiani then invited Babkova to be his assistant as ballet mistress for the company. Together they toured the world, including trips to the Philippines and Bulgaria. At one point, Babkova went to Samara, Russia to set La Bayadere on them, but she was lost without Chabukiani. Babkova did not have experience with lighting, costuming, or setting tempos for the orchestra, but she was about to learn. “It was the best learning,” says Babkova. “Everyone helped me. I was very lucky.” This experience helped Babkova in the future when she choreographed “Carmen Suite” for a professional company in Kutaisi, Georgia. Once in Moscow with Chabukiani at the Festival of Georgian Art, Babkova receive a medal of distinction.

When Chabukiani passed away in 1992, Georgia underwent a great depression and a change of leadership. The new people in the theatre did not like Chabukiani. Instead Babkova choreographed for a dramatic theatre school in Tbilisi. Meanwhile, Babkova’s son was working for the American Embassy. In 1999, Babkova’s son won a lottery ticket to come to the United States. In 2006, Babkova moved to Portland, Oregon to join her son and his family, including his wife and children, Angelica and Denis. After pneumonia took her sons life when he was 49, Babkova moved to Santa Monica two years ago.

Babkova still enjoys dancing. She may decide to teach or choreograph at some point, but she currently enjoys jazz and modern dance classes and performances. Babkova especially admires Hollywood choreographer Denise Leitner’s use of emotions in her work. She also enjoys the work of modern dancer Bradley Michaud, director of Los Angeles-based Method Dance. “His movements are full of surprises,” says Babkova. “I cannot see how he does it.” In addition Babkova also had performers she admires. During a recent Cal State Long Beach concert, Babkova selected Estela McNaughton and Landon Vo as her favorite dancers. Babkova complemented Vo that night with dazzling smile and a heartfelt embrace. Vo was amazed, especially since Babkova had such an incredible background. “She really made my night,” says Vo.