Tsend-Ayush Togoonchuluun
Тогоончулууны Цэнд-Аюуш
Trained Norovsambuu Begzsvren, Serchmaa Byamba
It should be noted that, while the country had a Communist government, Mongolian citizens officially did not have family names - a policy that would supposedly counter tribalism. Many of her students knew her ONLY as Tsend-Ayush.
Ma’am Tsend-Ayush
Through this page, I would like to introduce the wonders of Mongolian contortion art, the beautiful experiences I have lived through hard work, dedication and love for the “Uran nugaralt” (artistic bending).
The contortionism is a big part of my life. I have stepped into this art at the age of 7, becoming a pupil under the world acclaimed, national artist, madam Tsend-Ayush. Being a contortionist, my life has become a part of this wonderful art.
My beloved teacher madam Tsend-Ayush, not only trained me in contortion, but also taught me how to be strong, treat people with respect and lead a meaningful life. She was a beautiful and strong woman and an important role model in my life, whom was respected by everyone and taught many valuable things to others. The history and development of contortion is strongly tied to my teacher. I always keep my teacher close to my heart and try to expand and share, this amazing art she created, with as many people as possible around the world. I wish to carry this difficult, but magnificent art’s fame high above my head.
Madam Tsend-Ayush was born on November 7th of 1927 in Selenge province of Mongolia. She enrolled in Mongolian first ever circus school in 1940 and a year later performed at the opening ceremony of Mongolian circus with her contortion act and became one of the first Mongolian circus performers.
Madam Tsend-Ayush was a multi talented performer, who not only practiced contortion, but challenged herself in many circus genres including aerial acrobats, chair balancing, trapeze, camel back balancing, dual acrobats, aerial gymnastics and flying acrobats. She further educated herself in circus coaching training from 1956 to 1957 in Russia and became first female circus artistic director and started working as an artistic director at Mongolian National Circus in 1972-1982. She concentrated on contortion coaching in 1958 and opened the first official circus contortion school of Mongolian National circus. Many of her students include world-renowned contortionists such as B. Norovsambuu, Ya. Oyunchimeg, J. Erdenechimeg, L. Enkhtsetseg, L. Tungalag, and T. Bud, whom all have branded Mongolian contortion in many international circus festivals and claimed the grand prices. Later in her career, she was invited to the both honorary and official judge in many world-class circus festivals.
Madam Tsend-Ayush has produced over 20 full circus acts, 230 performance acts, circus play “Flower among weeds” and a documentary film called “Mongolian circus”.
She spent her entire life teaching and refining many different circus genres, but her most valuable achievement was sure the art of contortionism. She refined the traditional flexibility number into becoming one of the most applauded circus genre. She has established all the basic movements of contortion, which used nowadays by many around the world.
Even though there aren’t many pictures of her, people in the circus field, especially among contortionists, she is the legend and we are proud to call her the MOTHER OF CONTORTION.
Originally posted by Serchmaa Byamba on August 27, 2015