Tavadze was born on February 6, 1911 in the village Tkhilagani, Kutais Governorate; at that time, Tkhilagani was part of the Russian empire. In 1926, he graduated from the secondary school of Kutaisi. During his apprenticeship, he took up drawing lessons together with Petre Otskheli at the art studio under the guidance of Vano Tcheishvili. In 1926, Tavadze entered Tbilisi State Academy of Arts majoring in painting. His teachers included Ioseb Sharleman, Gigo Gabashvili , Evgeni Lansere.
Starting in 1927, Tavadze began working at the Shota Rustaveli State Academic Theatre, first as an assistant producer (1927–1930), then as an artist (1930–1948). Subsequently he was appointed to the position of the chief artist (1948–1976). In 1932, Tavadze made his artistic debut at the Rustaveli Theatre in O. Samsonidze's play, "The Hoop", directed by Sandro Akhmeteli and Shota Aghsabadze. In 1933, he made his first artistic appearance outside of Georgia in Shakespeare's "Othello " in the Kirovabad Theatre, Azerbaijan .
In 1933, the painter Lado Gudiashvili dedicated a complimentary letter to Tavadze: "Dimitri Tavadze, a young artists was distinguished for consciousness and discretion; he, from the beginning owned the mystery of painting only feasible for rather experienced painters".
Tavadze illustrated over 150 plays in 20 different theaters. He collaborated renowned directors such as Sandro Akhmeteli, Dimitri Aleksidze, Mikheil Tumanishvili , Robert Sturua , and Irina Molostova. The majority of Tavadze's projects were staged at the Rustaveli Theatre (57 plays). Fletcher's comedy "The Spanish Curate " and Pavel Kohout's play "Such Love" won special recognition and success. Tavadze's last project was "Do not Abandon the Fire, Prometheus" (Kirovabad – 1983). Dimitri Tavadze died on March 6, 1990 in Tbilisi.
Tavadze was awarded the "Honored Art worker" (1950), the "Laureate of the State Prize" (1951), and the "People's Painter of Georgia" (1967). Starting 1933, Tavadze participated in a number of exhibitions. Tavadze's works were displayed numerous times in Tbilisi, as well as in Moscow (1937, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1967, 1971, 1979), in Leningrad (1937), in São Paulo (1967) and in the German Democratic Republic (1968). He had personal exhibitions in Tbilisi (1964, 1975 ["Shakespeareana"], 1982) and in Moscow (1971).
Tavadze's works are preserved in the Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Moscow, the National Pushkin Museum , Saint Petersburg, the Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography, Tbilisi, and the Museum of Rustaveli Theatre. In addition, some works are preserved in theatres and private collections around the world.
1932 – P. Samsonidze, "The Hoop" (Georgian : "სალტე" ). Dir.: Sandro Akhmeteli, Shota Aghsabadze 1933 – G. Shatberashvili, "The Enemy" (Georgian: "დუშმანი" ). Dir.: Sandro Akhmeteli, Shota Aghsabadze 1936 – S. Kldiashvili, "The Autumn Gentry" (Georgian: "შემოდგომის აზნაურები" ). Dir.: Kukuri Pataridze 1937 – G. Mdivani, "Alkazar" (Georgian: "ალკაზარი" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze S. Kldiashvili, "The Generation of the Heroes" (Georgian: "გმირთა თაობა" ). Dir.: Kukuri Pataridze 1938 – G. Mdivani, "The Motherland" (Georgian: "სამშობლო" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1939 – S. Mtvaradze, "Upon the Mountain Range" (Georgian: "მთაგრეხილზე" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1940 – S. Kldiashvili, "The Widow of an Earl" (Georgian: "გრაფის ქვრივი" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1941 – S. Kldiashvili, "The Last Knight" (Georgian: "უკანასკნელი რაინდი" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze F. Wolf, "Professor Mamlock". Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1946 – C. Goldoni, "Servant of Two Masters" (Italian : "Il servitore di due padroni" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze G. Berdzenishvili, "Beginning of the End" (Georgian: "დასასრულის დასაწყისი" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze, Sergo Chelidze B. Chirskov, "The Winners" (Russian: "Победители" ). Dir.: Sergo Chelidze 1947 – Ar. d'Usseau and J. Gow, "Deep Are the Roots". Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze N. Pogodin, "The Man with a Rifle" (Russian: "Человек с ружьём" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze O. Goldsmith, "She Stoops to Conquer ". Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1948 – S. Dolidze, G. Berdzenishvili, "The Aerie" (Georgian: "არწივის ბუდე" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze W. Shakespeare, "Othello". Dir.: Akaki Vasadze, Shota Aghsabadze V. Mass, M. Chervinsky, "To Friends, to Comrade" (Russian: "О друзьях-товарищах" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1949 – I. Mosashvili, "The Sunk Stones" (Georgian: "ჩაძირული ქვები" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze V. Pataraia, "Ucha Uchardia" (Georgian: "უჩა უჩარდია" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze V. Karsanidze, "Evergreen Ridges" (Georgian: "მარად მწვანე ქედები" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili K. Simonov, "Alien shadow" (Russian: "Чужая тень" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1950 – Sh. Dadiani, "Out of Sparks" (Georgian: "ნაპერწკლიდან" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze V. Vishnevski, "Unforgettable 1919" (Russian: "Незабываемый 1919-й" ). Dir.: Micheil Tumanishvili 1951 – G. Mdivani, "People of Goodwill" (Georgian: "კეთილი ნების ადამიანები" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1952 – P. Kakabadze, "The Forge of Happiness" (Georgian: "ბედნიერი სამჭედლო" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze D. Kldiashvili, "The Adversity of Darispan" (Georgian: "დარისპანის გასაჭირი" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze N. Gogol, "The Gamblers" (Georgian: "Игроки" ). Dir.: Akaki Dvalishvili I. Vakeli, "The Steel" (Georgian: "რვალი" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi I. Chavchavadze, G. Berdzenishvili, "The Widow of Otar" (Georgian: "ოთარაანთ ქვრივი" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze 1953 – A. Sumbatashvili-Yuzhin, "The Betrayal" (Russian: "Измена" ). Dir.: Akaki Khorava 1954 – I. Dubois, "Haiti". Dir.: Akaki Vasadze, Mikheil Tumanishvili V. Kandelaki, "The Weed" (Georgian: "სარეველა" ). Dir.: Akaki Dvalishvili J. Fletcher and Ph. Massinger, "The Spanish Curate". Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili 1955 – L. Kiacheli, "Tariel Golua" (Georgian: "ტარიელ გოლუა" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili 1956 – I. Vakeli, "A Busy Man" (Georgian: "საქმიანი კაცი" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili 1957 – A. Pushkin, "Boris Godunov" (Russian: "Борис Годунов" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1958 – G. Sevastikoglu, "Angela". Dir.: Leila Varsimashvili, Otar Zautashvili Al. Apkhaidze, "The Aragvians" (Georgian: "არაგველები" ). Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili 1959 – P. Kakabadze, "Kvarkvare Tutaberi" (Georgian: "ყვარყვარე თუთაბერი" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze P. Kohout, "Such Love" (Czech : "Taková láska" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili V. Kandelaki, "Once Dead" (Georgian: "ერთხელ დახოცილები" ). Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili 1960 – A. Arbuzov, "The Irkutsk Story" (Russian: "Иркутская история" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili K. Senderbiu, "The Revolt of Women". Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili 1961 – V. Kandelaki, "The Lights of Kartli" (Georgian: "ქართლის ჩირაღდნები" ). Dir: Dodo Antadze G. Khukhashvili, "The Sea Children" (Georgian: "ზღვის შვილები" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili 1962 – L. Sanikidze, "The Kutaisians" (Georgian: "ქუთათურები" ). Dir: Dodo Antadze C. Goldoni, "The Mistress of the Inn " (Italian : "La locandiera" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili O. Ioseliani, "Once a Person is Born" (Georgian: "ადამიანი იბადება ერთხელ" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1963 – W. Gibson, "The Miracle Worker". Dir.: Sandro Mrevlishvili V. Rozov, "Before Dinner" (Russian: "Перед ужином" ). Dir.: Robert Sturua 1964 – ,W. Shakespeare, "A Midsummer Night's Dream ". Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili 1965 – I. L. Caragiale, "The Lost Letter" (Romanian : "O scrisoare pierdută" ). Dir.: Merab Jaliashvili N. Aziani, "The Last Masquerade" (Georgian: "უკანასკნელი მასკარადი" ). Dir.: Gizo Jordania 1967 – L. Kiacheli, "Gvadi Bigva" (Georgian: "გვადი ბიგვა" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili 1969 – O. Ioseliani, "Until the Ox-Cart Turns Over" (Georgian: "სანამ ურემი გადაბრუნდება" ). Dir.: Mikheil Tumanishvili, Carlo Sakandelidze 1930 – P. Samsonidze, "Director" (Georgian:
"დირექტორი" )1931 – I. Kantaria, "Cholipa" (Georgian:
"ჭოლიფა" )1933 – I. Kantaria, "Berikaoba" (Georgian:
"ბერიკაობა" )1946 – G. Eristavi, "Separation" (Georgian:
"გაყრა" )1952 – A. Lipovsky, "Mayakovsky" (Russian:
"Революцией призванный" )1959 – P. Kakabadze, "Kvarkvare Tutaberi" (Georgian:
"ყვარყვარე თუთაბერი" ; Not implemented version)
1958 – R. Tabukashvili, "The Secretary of the Regional Committee" (Georgian: "რაიკომის მდივანი" ). Dir.: Lili Ioseliani M. Baratashvili, "Marine" (Georgian: "მარინე" ). Dir.: Leo Shatberashvili, Giga Lortkipanidze 1957 – S. Shanshiashvili, "The Mountain Law" (Georgian: "მთის კანონი" ). Dir.: Dodo Antadze 1961 – O. Chidjavadze, "A Lucky Loser" (Georgian: "ბედნიერი უიღბლო" ). Dir.: Abram Rubin Gr. Abashidze, "A Journey into Three Epochs" (Georgian: "მოგზაურობა სამ დროში" ). Dir.: Abram Rubin 1964 – L. Chubabria, K. Chavchanidze, "The First Step" (Georgian: "პირველი ნაბიჯი" ). Dir.: Konstantin Surmava 1965 – K. Buachidze, "Story of Love" (Georgian: "ამბავი სიყვარულისა" ). Dir.: Abram Rubin M. Mrevlishvili, "Destiny of the Poet" (Georgian: "პოეტის ბედი" ). Dir.: Abram Rubin K. Buachidze, "Remember our Youth" (Georgian: "გავიხსენოთ ჩვენი ახალგაზრდობა" ). Dir.: Archil Gomiashvili 1966 – G. Mdivani, "Your Uncle Misha" (Georgian: "შენი ძია მიშა" ). Dir.: Sergo Chelidze 1969 – V. Ejov, "Night of the Nightingale" (Russian: "Соловьиная ночь" ). Dir.: Sergo Chelidze Tbilisi Vaso Abashidze Music and Drama State Theatre 1949 – V. Cagareishvili, "Arsen Odzelashvili" (Georgian: "არსენა ოძელაშვილი" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli 1950 – Fr. Lehár, "The Merry Widow " (German: "Die lustige Witwe" ). Dir.: Dude Dzneladze G. Cabadze, "The Love Song" (Georgian: "სიმღერა სიყვარულზე" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli R. Lagidze, "Friends" (Georgian: "მეგობრები" ). Dir.: Dude Dzneladze N. Gudiashvili, "Meeting at the Cottage" (Georgian: "შეხვედრა აგარაკზე" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli 1951 – G. Cabadze, "A bright Future" (Georgian: "ბრწყინვალე მომავალი" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli V. Cagareishvili, "The Queen of Tsani" (Georgian: "ცანის დედოფალი" ). Dir.: Dude Dzneladze Sh. Milorava, "Once in Spring" (Georgian: "ერთხელ გაზაფხულზე" ). Dir.: Ioseb Kutateladze N. Gudiashvili, "Gift" (Georgian: "საჩუქარი" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli 1956 – I. Jarkovsky, "Love Knot". Dir.: Shota Meskhi A. Kereselidze, "Three Brides" (Georgian: "სამი პატარძალი" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli 1957 – Sh. Milorava, "Dali" (Georgian: "დალი" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli Sh. Azmaiparashvili, "The desirable Groom" (Georgian: "ნანატრი საქმრო" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi R. Lagidze, "Komble" (Georgian: "კომბლე" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli 1958 – G. Kakhiani, "Bastard" (Georgian: "ნაბიჭვარი" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1960 – A. Kereselidze, "Arriving from the Moon" (Georgian: "მთვარიდან ჩამოფრენა" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi Sh. Milorava, "Strange Guests" (Georgian: "უცნაური სტუმრები" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli 1966 – Sh. Azmaiparashvili, "It will never be the same again" (Georgian: "რაც გინახავს ვეღარ ნახავ" ). Dir.: Leri Paksashvili 1967 – A. Shaverzashvili, "Nino" (Georgian: "ნინო" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1968 – Sh. Milorava "The Fatal Operation" (Georgian: "საბედისწერო ოპერაცია" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1951 – Z. Paliashvili, "Abesalom and Eteri" (Georgian: "აბესალომ და ეთერი" ). Dir.: Shota Aghsabadze 1952 – S. Rachmaninoff, "Aleko" (Russian: "Алеко" ). Dir.: Shota Aghsabadze N. Rimsky-Korsakov, "The Noblewoman Vera Sheloga " (Russian: "Боярыня Вера Шелога" ). Dir.: Shota Aghsabadze 1953 – P. Tchaikovsky, "Eugene Onegin" (Russian: "Евгений Онегин" ). Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili Ch. Gounod, "Romeo and Juliet ". Dir.: Shota Aghsabadze 1954 – G. Rossini, "The Barber of Seville " (Italian: "Il barbiere di Siviglia" ). Dir.: Shota Aghsabadze 1957 – G. Verdi, "La traviata ". Dir.: Shota Aghsabadze 1959 – R. Gabichvadze, "Nana" (Georgian: "ნანა" ). Dir.: Shota Aghsabadze 1937 – G. Berdzenishvili, "In the Mountains of Adjara" (Georgian: "აჭარის მთებში" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli E. Schwarz, "Red Riding Hood". Dir.: Aleksandr Takaishvili 1938 – G. Nakhucrishvili, "The Line of Fire" (Georgian: "ცეცხლის ხაზზე" ). Dir.: Aleksandr Takaishvili B. Gamrekeli, "Hero" (Georgian: "გმირი" ). Dir.: Boris Gamrekeli Molière , "Scapin's Deceits" (French: "Les Fourberies de Scapin" ). Dir.: Aleksandr TakaishviliV. Balaban, "Green Valley". Dir.: Giorgi Darispanashvili 1939 – A. Tsereteli, "Patara Kakhi" (Georgian: "პატარა კახი" ). Dir.: Aleksandr Takaishvili 1940 – K. Gogodze, "Kadjana" (Georgian: "ქაჯანა" ). Dir.: Giorgi Darispanashvili 1941 – G. Nakhucrishvili, "Achakune" (Georgian: "აჩაკუნე" ). Dir.: Aleksandr Takaishvili Sh. Kutshava, "Blue Carpet" (Georgian: "ცისფერი ხალიჩა" ). Dir.: Giorgi Jordania 1950 – G. Gogichaishvili, "Bright Path" (Georgian: "ნათელი გზა" ). Dir.: Otar Aleksishvili 1952 – G. Berdzenishvili, "Old Wound" (Georgian: "ძველი ჭრილობა" ). Dir.: Otar Aleksishvili 1953 – S. Mtvaradze, "Surami Fortress" (Georgian: "სურამის ციხე" ). Dir.: Aleksandr Takaishvili 1954 – E. L. Voinitsh, "The Gadfly ". Dir.: Iuri Kakulia 1956 – G. Nakhucrishvili, "Little Warriors" (Georgian: "პატარა მეომრები" ). Dir.: Revaz Tsharkhalashvili 1963 – V. Kataev, "A White Sail Gleams" (Russian: "Белеет парус одинокий" ). Dir.: Shalva Gatserelia 1964 – W. Shakespeare, "Twelfth Night ". Dir.: Sergo Chelidze 1965 – A. Chkhaidze, "When Childhood Ends" (Georgian: "როცა მთავრდება ბავშვობა" ). Dir.: Shalva Gatserelia 1970 – A. Kuznetsov, "The Moscow Holidays" (Russian: "Московские каникулы" ). Dir. Abram Rubin 1956 – M. Mrevlishvili, "Avalanche" (Georgian: "ზვავი" ). Dir.: Ferdinand Bjikyan 1956 – M. Japaridze, "Fellow Countryman" (Georgian: "ჩვენებურები" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze 1958 – A. Sumbatashvili-Yuzhin, "The Betrayal" (Russian: "Измена" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze Dumanoir and A. d'Ennery, "Don César de Bazan ". Dir.: Tamaz Meskhi1959 – K. Lortkipanidze, "The Dawn of Colchis" (Georgian: "კოლხეთის ცისკარი" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze 1960 – V. Daraseli, "Kikvidze" (Georgian: "კიკვიძე" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze D. Kldiashvili, "Irina’s Happiness" (Georgian: "ირინეს ბედნიერება" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze L. Sanikidze, "The Kutaisians" (Georgian: "ქუთათურები" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze P. Kakabadze, "The Farmer's Wedding" (Georgian: "კოლმეურნის ქორწინება" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze, Tamaz Meskhi 1962 – G. Mdivani, "Millions of Guga and Gigo" (Georgian: "გუგასა და გიგოს მილიონები" ). Dir.: Tamaz Meskhi P. Kakabadze, "The Wheel of Life" (Georgian: "ცხოვრების ჯარა" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze G. Taktakishvili, "A White Bat" (Georgian: "თეთრი ღამურა" ). Dir.: Tamaz Meskhi 1963 – M. Japaridze, "Bughara" (Georgian: "ბუღარა" ). Dir.: Otar Aleksishvili 1965 – Sh. Dadiani, "Yesterday's People" (Georgian: "გუშინდელნი" ). Dir.: Akaki Vasadze 1937 – G. Mdivani, "The Blind" (Georgian: "ბრმა" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1938 – S. Mtvaradze, "Tevrath" (Georgian: "თევრათ" ). Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili S. Shanshiashvili, "Arsena" (Georgian: "არსენა" ). Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili P. Kakabadze, "The Farmer's Wedding" (Georgian: "კოლმეურნის ქორწინება" ). Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili 1953 – G. Mdivani, "Bagration" (Georgian: "ბაგრატიონი" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi M. Mrevlishvili, "Baratashvili" (Georgian: "ბარათაშვილი" ). Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1954 – H. Fast, "Freedom Road ". Dir.: Shota Meskhi 1963 – L. Milorava, "Curved Staircase" (Georgian: "მრუდე კიბე" ). Dir.: Giorgi Abramishvili 1970 – G. Nakhucrishvili, "Ali Baba". Dir.: Otar Aleksishvili 1966 – G. Nakhicrishvili, "Shaithan Khikho" (Georgian: "შაითან ხიხო" ). Dir.: Otar Aleksishvili 1970 – A. Getsadze, "Saba Sulkhan" (Georgian: "საბა სულხანი" ). Dir.: Vladimer Modebadze 1974 – G. Nakhucrishvili, "Komble" (Georgian: "კომბლე" ). Dir.: Solomon Kipshidze 1975 – L. Kiacheli, "Tariel Golua" (Georgian: "ტარიელ გოლუა" ). Dir.: Solomon Kipshidze 1976 – Lope de Vega , "The Gardener's Dog" (Spanish: "El perro del Hortelano" ). Dir.: Solomon KipshidzeMolière, "The Doctor in Spite of Himself" (French: "Le Médecin malgré lui" ). Dir.: Solomon Kipshidze 1971 – P. Kakabadze, "The Farmer's Wedding" (Georgian: "კოლმეურნის ქორწინება" ). Dir.: Alexandr Mikeladze 1968 – Sophocles ,"Oedipus Rex " (Ancient Greek: "Οἰδίπους Τύραννος" ). Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili 1955 – G. Kelbakiani, "The Young Teacher" (Georgian: "ახალგაზრდა მასწავლებელი" ). Dir.: Dimitri Aleksidze 1954 – M. Baratashvili, "Dragonfly" (Georgian: "ჭრიჭინა" ). Dir.: Irina Molostova 1972 – N. Dumbadze, "Do not worry, Mom" (Georgian: "ნუ გეშინია, დედა" ). Dir.: Agakishi Kazimov 1977 – N. Hikmet, "The Legend of Love". Dir.: Alesker Sharifov 1933 – W. Shakespeare, "Otello ". Dir.: Shota Agsabadze 1968 – N. Mamedov, "Tariel". Dir.: Yusuf Bagirov 1972 – W. Shakespeare, "Otello". Dir.: Yusuf Bagirov 1973 – A. Mamedov, "When the Stars are Meeting". Dir.: Yusuf Bagirov 1976 – Sophocles, "Antigone". Dir.: Yusuf Bagirov 1980 – W. Shakespeare, "Richard III". Dir.: Yusuf Bagirov 1983 – M. Karim, "Do not Break the fire, Prometheus!". Dir.: Yusuf Bagirov Avar Music and Drama Theatre
1960 –
K. Zakaryaev, M. Daudov, "Along the Mountain Roads". Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili R. Gamzatov, "The Mountain Girl". Dir.: Archil Chkhartishvili 1978 – D. Kldiashvili, "Adversity of Darispan" (Georgian: "დარისპანის გასაჭირი" ). Dir.: Micheil Tumanishvili 1963 – W. Shakespeare, "Macbeth " 1965 – W. Shakespeare, "Otello" 1970 – W. Shakespeare, "King Lear " 1974 – W. Shakespeare, "Hamlet " W. Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar" W. Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet" 1985 – H. Ibsen, "Peer Gynt "