P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Sheraliev, Maston

Tajik poet Maston Sheraliev, also referred to as Maston Sherali, was

born into a family of farmers in the village of Zirihisor in Panjakent on

April 20, 1935.

Sheraliev graduated from Tajikistan State University with a degree

in history and philology in 1959. He then became the director of the po-

etry division of Sadoi Sharq, as well as the director of the literature di-

vision of Ma'orif va Madaniyat. In 1968, he became the Chief Editor of

Irfon Publications.

Sheraliev's poems appeared for the first time in the 1950s. His con-

tributions include "Mavjhoi Zarafshon" ("The Zarafshan Waves,"

1964)," "Risha dar Ob" ("Roots in Water," 1970), "Sitoraho" ("Stars,"

1972), "Tashnagi" ("Thirst," 1975), and others.

In addition, Sheraliev has created a number of plays, including Zol

va Rudoba (Zol and Rudabeh, based on Firdowsi's Shahname, 1970),

and Zebuniso (Zibuniso, 1972), for which he cooperated with Shamsi

Qiomov.

Sheraliev joined the Union of Writers of the Soviet Union in 1964.

Shirin Buniyod

See Kurbonmamadov, Khushqadam.