I have brave people

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The decision of the head of our state to “widely celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the son of the famous Karakalpak poet and thinker Ajiniyaz Kosiboy” became a historical event in the spiritual, social, literary and cultural life of our New Uzbekistan.  In the modern turbulent world, where anxiety and danger are increasing, the study and popularization of the literary heritage of our great-grandfathers, which glorified high human ideals and is part of national and universal values, is a very important and noble cause.

The exemplary life and work of Hazrat Ajiniyaz, who always valued only humanity, peace and security, friendship and unity of nations and peoples, as especially emphasized in the Presidential resolution, are worthy of high attention and praise. As emphasized in the supreme document Ajiniyaz is a great artist who made a great contribution to the development of the culture and literature of our people with his unique and meaningful work, to the upbringing of the young generation in the spirit of patriotism and noble ideals, and to the strengthening of the eternal friendship and unity between the Uzbek and Karakalpak peoples.The work of the great poet is like the flood of a river that has conquered hearts with its scope. All his life the poet lived with the pain of the people, sang about the hopes and good intentions of the people. It is very popular among the Turkic peoples and has become an epic in the languages.

          We can say that this decision is a practical and striking example of the large-scale reforms of our country in the sphere of spiritual life in the life of our people. The poet, who was educated at the famous madrasahs of Shergazikhan and Kutlimurad in Khiva and had a deep knowledge of both Eastern and Islamic lore, came into the public eye and gained prestige and attention from a very early age. While still a student, he worked as a secretary-writer, mastered the art of calligraphy, and copied the manuscript of Alisher Navoi’s book. 

His whole life was full of difficult trials, he lost his family, his close people, tasted the bread and salt of travel, but even then he was a strong-willed and persistent person who did not fall into depression and sang of unity and harmony of people. If we take an example from the life of a poet, his only weapons were drums and songs. With words, poetry, humor, witty and sharp lines, he crushed and destroyed his enemies and always emerged victorious from the battlefield.

 

Good guy passes the test

day of the battle.

Who is brave and who is coward

will be revealed in battle.    

                                 Translated by Begoyim Kholbekova

 

Today, more than ever, the people of the world know what courage and cowardice, good and evil, righteousness and betrayal, envy, hypocrisy, corruption are. Therefore, Ajiniyaz’s fiery songs on the themes of courage, perseverance are more relevant than ever.

A clear confirmation of our opinion is that the events to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the poet’s birth were included in the UNESCO plan of international anniversaries due to the universal significance of these aspects, universal ideas and noble dreams. In the poem "Ellarim bordir" (I Have Brave People) these themes are sung with passionate pathos like the flood of the Jayhun river.

 

If you ask me, Kajban, from us,

I have people with caps like pots.

Sorry if my wording is wrong,

I’ve nations like China and Qongirots.

 

He never lied, he didn't deviate from

the right way and he loves the righteous.

He never accompanied a liar, a coward,

This is my people who love justice and mighties!

                                     Translated by Begoyim Kholbekova

 

The fact that the poem “My people” glorifies with particular pride means that it also refers to Uzbek, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkmen and other countries.

As mentioned above, the poet, who missed his comrades during his wandering life, spent his entire life in search of Moynaq and expressed his longing for his comrades in poetry.

Involuntarily, speaking about today’s changes, the characteristic given by the leader of our country to creative work in the entire Karakalpak region, including Moynaq, comes to mind:

“Culture begins with Moynaq!” Anyone who doubts our reforms should come to Moynaq today!

We, poets and writers, have heard many times during our creative trips to Moynaq that the grave of grandfather Ajiniyaz is somewhere here, in some corner.  According to the chairman of the Union of Writers of Karakalpakstan, the famous writer Kengesboy Karimov, grandfather’s grave is located in a remote place and it is difficult to get there.

Flights to Moynaq airport have been launched today. The surroundings are prosperous and beautiful. As the decision paid special attention to, beautification of grandfather Ajiniyaz's permanent grave in Moynaq district, installation of a worthy monument to the poet, establishment of an eco-park named after the son of Ajiniyaz Kosiboy, i.e. garden-alley in this area.            Although Ajinyaz's works have not been published in Uzbek until now, he is considered a poet of the Uzbek people. We listened to his songs and were fascinated by his folk songs. In accordance with the decision, the publication of the poet’s book “Selected Works” in the Uzbek and Karakalpak languages, the republication and presentation of artistic, scientific and popular works dedicated to the poet’s work were set as special tasks.   Karakalpak literature, including Ajiniyaz’s poems, is given a large place in the complex of hundred-volumes “Masterpieces of Turkish Literature,” published on the initiative of our president. Until now, samples of Ajiniyaz's works were translated by our well-known authors, national poets of Karakalpakstan, Rustam Musurman and Muzaffar Ahmad.  These days, the poet's literary heritage has been retranslated, prepared for publication in its entirety. With luck, this wonderful book will be published as a separate collection in Uzbek and Karakalpak languages with beautiful design and modern typography. As a result of the decision made, these events will be held at a high level within the framework of the Writers' Associations of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan, regional branches of the association, creative schools and, of course, universities, secondary schools and educational institutions. Plans and programs for the implementation of these tasks were defined. Grandfather Ajiniyaz is dear to all of us. It is not for nothing that the first line of  Ibrayim Yusupov's famous poem "Ayt sen Ajiniyoz qo'shiqlaridan" (Sing from the songs of Ajiniyaz) translated into Uzbek by Abdulla Oripov has become today's call to goodness.

When I listen to it, my soul rejoices.

A nightingale sings in my heart.

When I listen to it, the whole earth

 Seems like heaven, seems like art.

 

If you want to turn the stars to the earth,

If you want to shame bad poets,

If you want to resurrect me when I die,

Sing from the songs of Ajiniyaz!

 

Sirojiddin Sayyid,

People's poet of Uzbekistan