Baluan Sholak was born on 11 December 1864, in the village of Karaotkel near the Khan mountains in modern Akmola Province, Russian Empire, and was named Nurmagambet Baymyrzauly.

[2] At a young age he lost his fingers in an accident when his right hand was burnt, and became known as Baluan Sholak, "Fingerless Fighter".

[1] He also gained fame as a singer of Kazakh songs, composing and performing music by Birzhan Kozhagulova and Achan Seri, and as an akyn (poet-improviser).

He travelled through Kokshetau, Karaotkel, Bayan-Aul, Irtysh, and Sarysu, staging performances with his ensemble of dombra players, singers, storytellers, jockeys and wrestlers.

[1] His songs are still heard today, and the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports in Almaty, built in 1967 and seating 5000, is named in his honour.