Karandash

Karandash studied at State School of Circus and Variety Arts. Mikhaïl Chouïdine is recorded as having studied under Karandash. The recorded working language is Russian. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are clownery. Distinctions recorded are Order of Lenin, Hero of Socialist Labour, People's Artist of the USSR and Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

• Name — Karandash • Birth Name — Mikhail Nikolayevich Rumyantsev • Birthplace — Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire • Died — 31 March 1983 • Place of death — Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union • Occupation — Clown • Illustration — Signature of Karandash

Rumyantsev was born in Saint Petersburg, and had two younger siblings, brother Kostya and sister Lena. His mother died when he was six. Rumyantsev had at least two daughters.

• Illustration — 1989 stamp commemorating Karandash Starting his career in the circus arena as the imitator of Charlie Chaplin, Mikhail Rumyantsev then abandoned it for, or rather, transformed that part into his would-be renowned image of Karandash always accompanied with his hallmark Scottish Terrier named Klyaksa (which means blot). He enjoyed immense popularity with the Soviet audience and often gathered full houses all over the country. He had courage to ridicule such topics as religion, alcohol, fascism and even the Soviet regime. Rumyantsev taught his profession to both Oleg Popov and Yuri Nikulin. During World War II, Rumyantsev toured on frontiers and mocked fascist forces to raise soldiers’ morale. In 1960, he toured South America with the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. Altogether, Karandash had worked in the circus for 55 years, the last time he appeared in the arena was just two weeks prior to his death. The Moscow Circus School was named after him.

Karandash is recorded with the occupation circus performer. Recorded with the occupation clown. Recorded with the occupation actor. Classed in the genre clownery. Recorded at birth as Михаил Николаевич Румянцев. Recorded as having received Order of Lenin, Hero of Socialist Labour and People's Artist of the USSR.