Varto Terian (Persian: وارتو طریان; May 11, 1896 – October 2, 1974)[1] also known by the pseudonym LaLa, was an Iranian-born Armenian actress and educator. She was Iran’s first stage actress of theater.[2][3]
Varto Terian | |
|---|---|
وارتو طریان | |
 | |
| Born | May 11, 1896 Tabriz, Qajar Iran |
| Died | October 2, 1974 (aged 78) Tehran, Iran |
| Other names | Varto Teryan, Vartu Terian, LaLa |
| Education | University of Geneva |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, educator |
| Known for | Iran’s first actress of theater |
| Spouse | Arto Terian (married) |
| Children | Alenush Terian |
Early life and education
Varto Terian was born on May 11, 1896, in Tabriz, Qajar Iran to an Armenian family.[2] When she was a child her family moved to Tehran.[2]
After high school she moved to Switzerland to continue her studies at the University of Geneva, where she focused on acting.[2][4] When she returned to Iran, many theater groups had recently been formed including the Young Armenians Theater Society in Tehran.[2] She met her future husband Arto Terian (1892–1954) at the theater society, he later became a successful actor and theater director.[2][4]
Career
After their marriage, in 1914 she launched her theater career.[2][5] In Iran during the 1910s–1920s women were banned from theater acting and attendance.[2] In order to protect their family she performed under the name LaLa,[2] and Arto used the name Arizad. The couple were the main members of the Armenian Theater of Tehran from 1923 to 1932.[5] Later the couple joined the Young Iran Society, founded by Abdolhossein Teymourtash.[2]
Terian was also a professor of French language and literature at the Teachers College Tehran. Her daughter was astronomer and physicist, Alenush Terian.[2][6]