Prior to the collapse of the USSR, much attention was paid to the national literary art of the Union republics. Now, despite the preservation of cultural and economic ties with the CIS countries, the majority of the reading population has a very vague idea of ââwhat is happening in the literary arena of Kazakhstan itself. Meanwhile, the Kazakh language and literature is a large-scale cultural layer, worthy of a detailed acquaintance. And we are talking not only about classical works, but also about books by contemporary authors.
Kazakh language and literature
Researchers agree that the time of the appearance of copyrighted works in the national language is the period of the beginning of the 15th century. However, the history of Kazakh folk literature began much earlier and was associated with the development of linguistic traditions.
Its forerunners were medieval authors who created works in the Chagatai and Persian languages. Ethnic groups belonging to the Turkic language group were distributed in the territory of modern Kazakhstan, and in some areas the Sogdian language of the Iranian group was used for a long time. The first runic writing (on wooden tablets) appeared around the 5th â 6th centuries.
If you believe the Chinese annals, in the 7th century, the Turkic-speaking tribes already had oral poetic traditions. Legends about the sacred land and life in the beautiful and protected from all adversity valley Ergen-Kong have been preserved. Poetic elements of the epic are also found on discovered archaeological sites, tombstones.
Folklore
In the first pre-literary literary period, the leading position was occupied by poetic genres and epics. There are three main stages in the history of Kazakh poetry.
- XV - the first half of the XVIII century. Zhyrau period (folk singer and poet, author and performer of poetic works). The main genre for them was Tolgau, poems in the form of meditations containing advice, edification and aphorisms. In them zhyrau expressed national interests, ideas of unity, justice, praised the beauty of nature. Such poets were often a serious political force, performed public and even military functions. The earliest works with established authorship relate specifically to this period. Among the founders of Kazakh literature, one can name Asan-Kaygy, the author of political poems Bukhar-zhyrau Kalkamanov, akyns (improvisational poets) Shalkiz and Dospambet.
- The second half of the XVIII - the first half of the XIX century. The poetic period. At this time, the genre of poetic songs became more diverse, in addition to the motive of reflection, âarnauâ also appeared (appeal, dedication). In their works, akyns more often turned to the themes of popular and political struggle. Such a problem is typical for the works of Suyunbai Aronula and Makhambet Utemisov. At the same time, a conservative religious trend was forming (Murat Monkeev, Shortanbai Kanaev).
- The second half of XIX - beginning of XX centuries. Aitys period. The tradition of aitys, poetry competitions, improvisations between akyns, which developed earlier, was most widespread at that time. Poets of the second half of the 19th century, Zhambyl Zhabayev, Birzhan Kozhagulov, used poetry as a way of expressing social thought and the desire for social justice.
The origin of written literature
The first written literary works only begin to appear in the second half of the 19th century during a cultural dialogue with Russia and the West. At this time, the modern grammar of the Kazakh language is drawn up. The founders of Kazakh written literature, enlighteners Abai Kunanbayev, Shokan Valikhanov, Ibrai Altynsarin are at the origins of these processes.
National literature is gradually acquiring some European features, new stylistic forms appear, in particular, novels and novels. The author of the first novel âUnfortunate Zhamalâ was the famous poet and prose writer Mirzhakip Dulatov. It was during this period that the modern literary language was formed, translations of the works of M. Yu. Lermontov, A. S. Pushkin, F. Schiller appeared, the first printed books and newspapers were published.
In contrast, a literary group of âscribesâ (Nurzhan Naushabaev and others) is formed, collecting folklore material and adhering to patriarchal and conservative views.
The founders of Kazakh literature
The literary Kazakh language, which has become the normalized version of the folk language, was formed on the basis of the northeastern dialect, which was least affected by the Persian and Arabic languages. It was on it that Ibrai Altynsarin and Abai Kunanbaev created their works. The latter is a recognized classic of Kazakh literature.
Ibrahim Kunanbaev is a poet, public figure, composer, enlightener, philosopher, reformer in the field of literature, a supporter of rapprochement with Russian and European culture on the basis of enlightened Islam. He was born in 1845 in the Semipalatinsk district in a noble family. âAbaiâ, a nickname received in childhood, meaning âcautious, attentive,â was entrenched in him for many years both in life and in literature. The future classic of Kazakh fiction studied in a madrasah, studying Arabic and Persian, while attending a Russian school. He began to write his first poems at the age of 13, hiding his own authorship, but he created his recognized works already in adulthood. His formation as a writer was greatly influenced by the humanistic ideas of a number of thinkers and poets of the East and West. Subsequently, he was engaged in translating their works into the Kazakh language and disseminating the ideas of Russian culture.
Abay created more than 50 translations, about 20 melodies, about 170 poems and poems. One of the most famous was the poem in prose âSimple Wordsâ consisting of 45 parables and philosophical treatises. It raises the problems of morality, pedagogy, history and law.
Literary work of the XIX â XX centuries.
A feature of Kazakh literature of the 19th century was the coexistence of two types of writing. On the one hand, used in the works of the so-called scribes, which included a number of borrowings from the Arabic and Persian languages, on the other hand, new written literature, the sources of which were Altynsarin and Kunanbaev.
The pre-Soviet period was an important stage in the history of Kazakh literature of the 20th century. At this time, the canons of modern literature and written language finally formed, new genres and styles appeared.
Akhmet Baitursyn became an outstanding literary figure of the beginning of the century. His first work in the poetic sphere was the translation of fables by I. A. Krylov, followed by his own poetic collection âMasaâ. He was also a researcher in the field of linguistics, advocated the purification of the national language from foreign words.
One of the creators of the stylistic system of the modern Kazakh language was the poet Magzhan Zhumabay. Its influence on the development of national poetry is comparable to that of Abay. The works of the author were published in most newspapers and magazines.
A prominent representative of the writers of that period is Spandiyar Kobeev. His novel Kalym, published in 1913, was a significant event in the history of national literature.
Soviet period literature
The spread of Soviet power on the territory of Kazakhstan and joining the USSR had a huge impact not only on the socio-political system, but also significantly changed the development vectors of national literature. In 1924, the reform of Kazakh writing and spelling began. Initially, based on the Arabic alphabet, then - the Latin alphabet (used until 1940). Subsequently, the question was raised about the need for rapprochement of the Kazakh and Russian scripts.
In 1926, an association of Kazakh proletarian writers was formed, and a few years later - the union of writers of the Kazakh Republic.
Among the bright writers of Kazakh literature of this period, it should be noted Sabit Mukanov, Mukhtar Auezov, Beimbet Mailin.
The events of World War II gave an impetus to the development of civil and patriotic poetry and prose. The poems âThe Legend of the Poet's Deathâ, the novels âTerrible Daysâ and âThe Soldier from Kazakhstanâ were published.
In the postwar period, large literary forms actively developed, as well as dramaturgy (Khusainov) and science fiction (Alimbaev). The famous novel by Mukhtar Auezov "The Way of Abai" was created.
The Soviet period was the heyday of Kazakh children's literature. Here it is impossible not to mention the story and the stories of Sapargali Begalin (âThe Tabun girlâ, âFalconryâ) and Berdibek Sokpakbaev (âChampionâ, âTravel to childhoodâ). The heroes of these works are brave, hardy guys who are faced with the first difficulties, make choices, believe in friendship and justice.
Poetry of Zhambyl Zhabayev
The works of this folk poet, akyn, are considered classics of Kazakh literature of the Soviet era. He was born in the middle of the XIX century in a nomad family and lived for 99 years. Learning to play domra, in his teens he left home to become akyn. For many years he participated in aitys, speaking in the Tolgau style exclusively in the Kazakh language. He became famous as the author of accusatory songs. During the revolution of 1917 he was already under seventy, however, new trends marked the next stage in the work of Zhambyl. Imbued with revolutionary ideas, in his works he gave the Soviet leaders the features of the heroes of the epic: âSong of Batyr Yezhovâ, âAksakal Kalininâ, âLenin and Stalinâ. By the 40s Zhambyl became the most famous and revered akyn of Kazakhstan, his name was almost a household word.
Despite the politicization of creativity in recent years, his contribution to the development of Kazakh literature is enormous. Zhambyl's poetic manner is characterized by simplicity of narration and, at the same time, psychological richness, sincereness. In his works, he actively combined prose and poetry, oral and literary forms. Over the years of his work, he created many socially satirical, everyday, lyrical songs, poems, and fairy tales.
The work of Olzhas Suleimenov
Another bright representative of Kazakh literature, whose career began in the Soviet years, is Olzhas Suleimenov. Poet, writer, literary critic, diplomat and political figure. He gained initial fame as the author of linguistic research, and has repeatedly expressed ideas related to nationalism and pan-Turkism.
Olzhas was born in 1936 in the family of a former officer. After graduating from the Geological Exploration Department and having worked for some time in the specialty, he began journalistic and literary activities, enrolling in the Literary Institute in Moscow. His first poems were published in 1959 in the Literary Newspaper. Literary success came to Suleimenov two years later, when his poem âEarth, worship man!â Was published, dedicated to the first flight into space.
After the release of several poetry collections and novels, âYear of the Monkeyâ and âClay Bookâ, at the peak of active social and political activity, in 1975 he wrote a literary work âAz and Ya. Book of a well-meaning reader.â In it, Suleimenov draws attention to numerous borrowings from the Turkic language in Russian, formulates assumptions about the kinship of Kazakhs and ancient Sumerians. The book caused a public outcry, was banned, and its author is deprived of the opportunity to publish for 8 years. He continued to develop his ideas at the end of the 20th century, being the permanent representative of Kazakhstan to UNESCO.
Contemporary literary work
The general trends in the development of Kazakh literature in recent decades are associated with the authors' desire to comprehend Western postmodernism and use the theses in their own work. Famous works of Kazakh authors are evaluated in a new way. Interest in the heritage of repressed writers has intensified.
It is noteworthy that a number of literary strata are now developing in Kazakhstan. For example, there are works by Russian-speaking writers of different nationalities (Kazakhs, Koreans, Germans), as well as Russian literature in Kazakhstan. The work of Russian-speaking authors is an original literary movement that arose when several cultures merged. Here you can name the names of Rollan Seisenbaev, Bakhytzhan Kanapyanov, Alexander Kan, Satimzhan Sanbaev.
A number of professional authors with their own artistic style became known to a wide readership not so long ago: Elena Terskikh, Tigran Tuniyants, Aigerim Tazhi, Alexander Varsky and others.
21st Century Authors
Today, Kazakh literature is developing entirely in line with global trends, taking into account modern trends and their own capabilities. If you compile a literary short list of contemporary authors that deserve the attention of the readership, then it will include at least two dozen names. Here are just a few of them.
Ilya Odegov. Prose writer and literary translator. Author of the works âThe Sound with Which the Sun Risesâ (2003), âAny Loveâ, âWithout Two, One,â âTimur and His Summerâ. The holder of many awards, in particular, is the winner of the literary contest "Russian Prize" and the winner of the prize "Modern Kazakh novel".
Karina Sarsenova. Playwright, poetess, writer, screenwriter, psychologist. At the same time, he is the creator of one of the largest production centers in Kazakhstan. Member of the Union of Writers of the Russian Federation and head of the Eurasian Creative Union. The founder of a new literary genre - neo-esoteric fiction. Author of 19 works published in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, as well as film scripts and musicals.
Aigerim Tazhi. Poetess, author of the collection âGOD â O â WORDSâ, numerous publications in literary publications in Russia, Europe, USA, Kazakhstan. Finalist of the Literary Prize âDebutâ in the nomination âPoetryâ, laureate of the prize âStepsâ. Her poems are translated French, English and Armenian.
Ayan Kudaykulova. He works in the genre of acute social and psychological prose ("Little Ring with a Carnelian", "Eiffel Tower"). Having released her debut novel in 2011, in a couple of years she became the best-selling author in Kazakhstan. The main theme of the works is the problems of the family and society.
Ilmaz Nurgaliev. Science fiction writer. The actual founder of the Kazakh Fantasy genre with a folklore bias, the author of the Dastan and Arman series.