Like free hawks, remote kulans (stallions), Kazakh "masters of words and songs" carried the truth, to lead in verses from one end of the boundless steppe to the other. For the Kazakh people, poetry was both a consolation in times of hardships, suffering, and a way to express any joy, happiness, to sing the courage of national heroes. Kazakh poets at all times with the help of poems and songs rallied against the injustice of the bais (rich), trying to reach out to cruel rulers, boldly, in front of the whole public ridiculed the vices of society, influenced the political processes of those times.
The names of the most zealous fighters for justice, stubborn authorities, which they were for the common people, owners of the greatest talent and wit went down in history and forever imprinted in the hearts of the Kazakhs.
The steppe people appreciated and loved poetry with all their hearts. Poetry, like a genetic code, was imprinted in the nature of a nomad. The song accompanied him from birth to the very old age, brightly coloring every event, mood, life position. Conditionally Kazakh folklore can be divided into two groups:
Ritual household. This is an integral part of everyday life, containing all the ancient customs and rules of their conduct.
Lyrical. Such poetry reflects the feelings of the Kazakh, attitude to what is happening, a demonstration of their own opinion, mood.
Start
The birth of creativity occurred in the middle of the XVI century, after all the disasters associated with the capture of the steppes by Timur. At that time, writing began to develop, but ordinary people could not learn it, because the first poems and songs were memorized, passed from mouth to mouth, from generation to generation.
One of the first Kazakh poets was Kadyrgali Jalairi (1530-1605). Being a prisoner, in Moscow he wrote his work on 157 pages, entitled "Jami-at-tavarih." The manuscript was full of proverbs, sayings, witty notes. The poet historian paid much attention to the laudatory descriptions of the Russian Tsar Boris Godunov. His actions, human qualities, and dignity made a great impression on Kadyrgali.
A great contribution to history was made by the writer, statesman Mohammed Khaidar Dulati (1499-1551). About how the Mongolian troops asserted their authority in the territory of the Kazakhs, about the peculiarities of the difficult relations between the local khans and the Mongol leaders, about the most significant events in Central Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries, is described in detail in his annals of Tarih-i-Rashidi.
Zhyrau
In the 15th and 17th centuries, the tradition of improvisational narrative in poetic form was sung to the accompaniment to the national instrument of dombra. A whole galaxy of zhyrau (singers), Kazakh akyns competed with each other in their favorite Tolgau genre - a philosophical poem. Often, such craftsmen, to beautifully criticize, give advice, defend their point of view, the rulers of the Kazakh Khanate hired as their advisers. They were entrusted with an important mission - to act as a parliamentarian, a mediator between the authorities and commoners. Using the trust and love of the people, the artists skillfully smoothed sharp corners, comforted with wise advice during times of crisis, tried to prevent troubles, speaking out in defense of the interests of people, singing their hopes and aspirations.
The legendary Asan Kaigy, nicknamed Pechalnik, is one of the most famous Kazakh poets of that time. Much of his work has been preserved in the form of manuscripts to this day. Sadness, sadness, pain for their homeland, for their beloved compatriots, wandering along cruel steppes in search of a better place, for oppression, contention between genera, disorder, robbery, despair sounded the main note in his soulful songs.
Abay - a new era in poetry
Abai Kunanbaev laid the foundation for the development of new Kazakh literature. The poet was born in 1845 in a family of large feudal lords. From an early age he was sent to study at a madrasah, which he did not stop at. Abay was diligently engaged in self-education, studied the works of not only Russian classics, but also Western literature. Over time, the great Kazakh poet was completely imbued with love for the poor steppe people, experiencing their most difficult times. He was convinced that only the light of knowledge, art and culture could pull out this rotting society in ignorance and slavery. He was a lamp for the suffering Kazakh people.
The poetry of Abay Kunanbayev is a masterly combination of words that go straight to the heart. “My goal is to create poems - coined words set,” said the poet.
Abay worked tirelessly himself, trained modern youth, helped, gave advice, he tried to do everything to educate the new generation. Translated and distributed through the best storytellers the works of Lermontov, Dumas, the works of all thinkers and sages of the east and west. He was in a hurry to give all the knowledge that he had accumulated, because the enemies and opponents of progress were becoming indefatigable.
The hardest trials, shocks and inner loneliness tormented the poet. The poems at the sunset of his life were permeated with heaviness, despair and confusion. Until the last day (June 23, 1904), his genius, talent, huge work form new, unique, original literature - the greatest legacy of the greatest son of the Kazakh people.
"Diamond of the Kazakh people"
In the monstrous years of World War II, poetry was more relevant than ever. The peoples rallied to confront the common threat posed by a new test of fortitude and the patience of fraternal peoples. Patriotic pathos, heroic romanticism were filled with songs and poems of Kazakh poets.
The giant of Kazakhstani literature of Soviet times - Dzhambul Dzhabaev (1846-1945), who was already almost 100 years old, made a huge contribution to the Great Victory, famous for his legendary poem "Leningraders, my children ...". Even today, reading a work, it is impossible not to cry! The song left the brightest mark in the history of the Great Patriotic War as a poetic document, as the voice of the whole country through the lips of a Kazakh akyn-sage, saying to the besieged city: “We are with you, Leningraders!”
Zharaskan Abdirashev
The poet, critic, translator, public figure - Zharaskan Abdirashev (1948-2001) continued to work for the benefit of the development of Kazakh literature, to support young talents by organizing a special award named after him after his great predecessors. More than 20 books came to the world from under his pen. Among them are poems for children, which is very important for younger citizens of the republic. A lot is devoted to the tragedies of repression, critical articles. The poet translated into Kazakh the works of Agniya Barto, K. Chukovsky, A.S. Pushkin, A. Blok and other popular writers. In turn, his works were also translated into German, Hungarian, Russian, Tajik, Ukrainian and other languages.
The most relevant
Kazakh poets are famous not only for poetry. Today, the audience is very pleased to watch the competition of akyns-improvisers. This is a native Kazakh tradition, therefore, the performances are truly mesmerizing and capture attention entirely, because poets so skillfully, sparkly on the move compose verses on very important topics of concern to the public. At the same time, the singer must have a sense of humor, a sharp mind, otherwise the fight will end not in his favor.
This style of poetry will never get bored, will not become old-fashioned, it is a culture, a heritage of the Kazakh people.
Talented Rinat Zaitov
Rinat Zaitov is a popular akyn of our time. Born in 1983 in the East Kazakhstan region. By education, Rinat is a teacher of the Kazakh language and literature. He took part in ITs from the age of 17 and has since become accustomed to awards. He also writes lyrics to songs for many Kazakh pop stars.
Rinat is a media personality, because he often has to refute speculation and incredible rumors, speaking in front of cameras on republican television channels.
Karina Sarsenova
Among modern Kazakh poets, a young but very successful poetess, prose writer, screenwriter, producer Karina Sarsenova stands out. The girl managed to win many serious literary prizes and awards. She is a member of the Union of Writers of Russia and the president of the Eurasian Creative Union. You can say about her work, for which Karina would not take it - she succeeds. Created a new genre - esoteric fiction.
All over the world, connoisseurs of literature and poetry are looking forward to something new, fresh, unique. One thing is known: in the era of the Internet, every possessor of talent has a chance to express himself, to reveal his vision to the world, to demonstrate his capabilities, and who knows, maybe your name will remain on the pages of history and in the memory of a grateful reader.