Shara (Gulshara) Zhiyenkulova (1912–1991) was an outstanding Kazakh dancer, choreographer, actress and teacher, the first People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR in the field of choreography. She is considered the founder of Kazakh stage dance, who made a huge contribution to the development of national art and culture.

She was born in 1912 in Verny (now Almaty). From early childhood, she showed interest in art, especially folk dances. In her youth, she began her creative career, learning folk movements, and then developed a unique style, combining traditional Kazakh dances with elements of classical and modern choreography.

In 1934, Shara Zhiyenkulova became one of the first soloists of the Kazakh Musical Theater (later transformed into the Opera and Ballet Theater). Her performances with solo numbers in Moscow and Leningrad caused a sensation, introducing national Kazakh dance to a wide audience. Among her most famous dances are “Kara Zhorga”, “Aizhan Kyz”, “Kelinshek”, which have become the hallmark of Kazakh choreography.

In addition to her stage career, she was engaged in teaching, educating a new generation of artists and choreographers. Thanks to her work, Kazakh folk dance received stage embodiment and became an integral part of professional art. In 1958, she was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR, and later engaged in scientific work, studying and popularizing folk dances of Kazakhstan.

Her contribution to the culture of Kazakhstan is enormous, and today her name is associated with the preservation and development of national choreographic art. In Almaty, there is a republican choreographic school inspired by her heritage, and her productions continue to be performed on the stages of the country.