He was taught literacy by a mullah and, at the age of 15, became a teacher at a rural school for adult literacy. He worked as secretary of the revolutionary committee, head of the volost committee, and chief of the district police department.
In 1925, he entered the Kazakh Pedagogical Technical School. Even during his student years, he was recognized as a talented amateur actor: in 1926, he played the lead role in the play "Arkalyk Batyr" by Zh. Shanina.
In 1927, he organized the Workers' Youth Theater, where he became the chief director.
