P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

114

In 1934, Ikromi's novellas entitled Du  Hafta (Two Weeks),

Tirmor(Arrow Snake), as well as a collection of his stories which in-

cluded "Hayot" ("Life") and "Ghalaba," were published in separate vol-

umes on the occasion of the First Congress of Tajik Intellectuals. In

1937, he published "Tokhm-i Mahabbat" ("The Seed of Love").

Ikromi's "Shirin," which he revised seven times under Sadriddin

Aini's supervision, deals, on the one hand, with village life and, on the

other, with the public's hatred for the Basmachis. The heroes of the

story, Shirin and Shodmon, love each other and pursue their dream.

Shirin's parents also support the new way. Ikromi's Tirmor, which was

published in installments in Rahbari Donish (1931-34), deals with life

in a Bukhara publishing company during the time when Ikromi was a

typesetter. The novella played a decisive role in determining Ikromi's

position in Soviet Tajik literature.

In 1936, Ikromi wrote Az Maskav Chi Ovardi? (What Did You Bring

from Moscow?). The novella deals with the influence of revolutionary

changes and of sovietization on the young generation, emphasizing the

latter's love for Moscow. This novella is a first in children's literature to

deal with sovietization.

Ikromi's first novel, Shodi (Merry Making, 1949), played a major

role in the life of the republic. For the first time in Soviet Tajik litera-

ture, a literary work thoroughly examined collectivization and the role

of the Communist Party in the creation of the kolkhoz system. In the

imaginary setting of the Gulistan village, the author portrays the events

of 1930-31, when small collectives were directed to form large units.

Dealing with the spirit and the conflicts among the poor peasants,

Ikromi investigates the inherent difficulties with which the founders of

the system had to cope. Ikromi's Shodi is a landmark in Tajik literature

of the 1930s and 1940s.

During WWII, Ikromi placed his pen at the service of the socialist

regime, extolled the victories of his people and denounced Fascism. His

output at this time includes a number of stories, including, "Javonho ba

Jang Miravand" ("The Youth Go to War"), "Baroi Vatan Joni Khudro

Dariq Nomedorim" ("We Will Not Hesitate to Give Our Lives for the

Nation"), and others, all extolling the system and highlighting the role

of the Tajik people in the war.

During 1942-43, Ikromi published two novellas Dili Modar (A

Mother's Heart) and Khonai Nodir ( Nodir's House ). In Dili Modar, he

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