He was born on 12 June 1932 in Baku into a working-class family. His great passion for the theatrical art since early childhood led him, after finishing secondary school in 1947, to the actors' studio attached to the Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theatre. There he took lessons from luminaries of the art — theoretical and practical training that further deepened his interest in and love of theatre — and in 1950 he began his first independent creative career at the Lankaran State Drama Theatre. In 1953 he graduated from the Azerbaijan Railway School and worked for a time as an assistant engine driver at the Bilajari depot. In 1959–1960 he headed the club of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 1960 he was accepted into the acting troupe of the Jafar Jabbarli Ganja State Drama Theatre. In this company he played a variety of roles, including Fuad ('Almas'), Shahsuvar ('Komsomol Poem') and Rashid ('Anacan'). In 1962 he was invited to the Musical Comedy Theatre. Over the 26 years he worked there, the more than 50 characters he created played a major role in his maturing into a master of comedy and in his popularity. He served the development of our national culture through roles that won deep audience affection: Sultan bay in Uzeyir Hajibeyov's 'Arshin Mal Alan', Mashadi Ibad in 'Not That One, This One', Ordukhan in Z. Hajibeyov's 'Young at 50', Jabi Jumazade in S. Alasgarov's 'Hamishakhanim' and Novruzali in 'Where Are You, Bachelorhood', Ghulam in A. Abbasov's 'My Yard, My Life', Mitosh in E. Sabitoglu's 'Hijran' and Farzali in 'Songful Konul', Jasarat in V. Adigozalov's 'My Grandmother's Firebird', Nadir in S. Hajibeyov's 'Rose', Uzun in A. Mashadibayov's 'Whose Wedding Is It?', and Songulu in the E. Sabitoglu/T. Valiyeva trilogy 'The Banker Groom', 'Laughing Together With You' and 'The Quail's Lordship', '92 Minutes of Laughter', as well as Nurush in 'The Game of Love' and Farzali in 'Ten Thousand Dollars' Worth of Fun'. Alongside theatre, his work in cinema was also successful. Film enthusiasts warmly received his roles as Mohsun in 'Ulduz', Arif in 'Mehman', Garakhalov in 'Her Fateful Love', Mammadali in 'An Apple Resembles an Apple', and Shirbala in 'Shirbala's Love'. In 1974 he was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Republic, and in 1982 the honorary title of People's Artist of Azerbaijan. By Decree No. 717 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 11 June 1998, H. A. Bagirov was awarded the Order of 'Glory'. From 1989 to 1996 he served as director and artistic head of the 'Criticism and Propaganda' theatre, which he himself created. From 1996 he was director, artistic head and actor of the Sh. Gurbanov Azerbaijan State Musical Comedy Theatre. In 2001 he was awarded the 'Golden Dervish' prize for the play 'The Banker Groom' by E. Sabitoglu and T. Valiyeva. Hajibaba Bagirov died on 4 October 2006, at the age of 74, of inflammation of the duodenum.
