NEWS
KARA SEYTLIEV: THE POETIC ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TURKMENISTAN
People’s Writer of Turkmenistan Kara Seytliev (1915-1971) can be deservedly named a legendary figure. His versatile oeuvre greatly influenced the development of national literature, cinema and theater. Most of the poet’s poems were put to music by Turkmen composers and continue to be remembered and celebrated fifty years after his death.
Kara Seytliev was born in the Turkmen countryside. He was given the name Kara (translates as ‘black’) in accordance with the then well-established tradition of drawing black and white stones out of a Karakul fur hat. The white stone predicted a military service. By giving the name Kara, families hoped to prevent the baby boy and his father who had picked the stone from having misfortune.
As a teenage boy, Kara developed a passion for poetry and began to compose poems. The first book that the boy read was a book of poems by Magtymguly published in Arabic, and he never parted with it since then.
After graduating from the Ashgabat Teacher Training College, Kara Seytliev worked as a primary-school teacher. In 1937, he made a decision that dramatically changed his life. He entered Baku Teacher Training Institute.
In Baku, the up-and-coming writer found like-minded people and kindred souls, wrote his most famous poems and realized that poetry was his calling.
“For a poet, there is no greater joy than knowing that a song with lyrics written by him continues to live on. Even though those who sing this song do not know his name. This often happens. Being recognized and acclaimed in one’s native country is what matters most.” (From Kara Seytliev’s autobiography).
In the early days of the Great Patriotic War Kara voluntarily joined the army. In 1942, a concert touring group, made up of cultural workers of Turkmenistan, was formed to boost the morale of soldiers.
Together with the group, Kara Seytliev went to the front-line areas to recite poetry to soldiers and officers. Inspired by young soldiers’ true heroism, the poet wrote his poems ‘They Gave Their Lives for You’ and ‘The Girl with Shoulder Boards’ (later included in the collection of war and patriotic poems entitled ‘Söweşjem Ylham’ (‘Battlefield Inspiration’)) in the frontline trenches.
Kara Seytliev played a prominent role in the country’s state and public life. He was the president of the Union of Writers of Turkmenistan, director of the Opera and Ballet Theater, chairman of the Society for Friendship with Foreign Countries. He served as Minister of Culture from 1963 to 1971.
In 1962, the World Congress for General Disarmament and Peace was held in Moscow and a Turkmen delegation attended it. On behalf of the Rejepov family and the Turkmen nation Kara Seytliev presented a portrait carpet featuring Fidel Castro to representatives of Cuba. “Viva Turkmenistan!” the Cubans greeted the guests from Ashgabat.
A great zest for life, lifelong dedication to his vocation and family, and true humanity were the core principles of Kara Seytliev’s life. The son of the People’s Writer Ilmurat shared his memories of his father:
– Our home was always full of guests. Among them were writers Kerim Kurbannepesov and Kayum Tangrykuliev, and composer Danatar Ovezov with whom my father played the piano. My father was able to amiably settle a quarrel or dispute between neighbors so that they later became good friends. He showed a special affection for pets. We had an Alabay dog, Akbay, beloved by all the members of the family. Despite his busy work schedule, my father always had time to talk with us.
To acquaint Turkmen readers with world literature, Kara Seytliev translated many works by Nizami and Alexander Pushkin into the Turkmen language. The writer considered working on the translation of ‘The Bronze Horseman’ as a valuable literary and philosophical experience. Since he wrote in his native language, he closely collaborated with poet-translator Anisim Krongauz. The letters exchanged by the two outstanding literary figures have survived.
People’s Writer Kerim Kurbannepesov defined Kara Seytliev’s works as ‘the poetic encyclopedia of Turkmenistan’. Kara Seytliev was the writer of such great versatility and range that we could talk about him endlessly. And his literary oeuvre stands as a remarkable testimony to his talent.
How can you not be envied,
If the poet lived on the planet,
If his every word
Goes straight to the hearts of people? ...