P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Otakhonova, Khursheda

Tajik poet and literary critic Khursheda Otakhonova was born in

Uroteppa in 1932. She joined the CPSU in 1959.

Otakhonova graduated from Tajikistan State University with a de-

gree in Persian language and literature in 1953. She worked at the

Rudaki Language and Literature Institute from 1953 until 1972, when

she became its director. Her early articles appeared in the 1950s.

She has researched the works of S. Aini, Lahuti, Tursunzoda, and

Muhammadjon Rahimi. Her contributions include "Rahim Jalil va Osori

U" ("Rahim Jalil and His Works," 1962), "Padidahoi Navjui" ("Innova-

tive Phenomena," 1972), "Paivandi Hiss va Andisha" ("The Relation

Between Feeling and Thought," 1982), and "Tahavvoloti Doston dar

Nazmi Mu'osir" ("The Development of Story in Modern Verse," 1983).

Otakhonova joined the Union of Writers of Tajikistan in 1968. She

was decorated with the Red Banner of Courage and the 100

th

 Anniver-

sary of the Birth of Lenin Prize.