P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Keldiev, Gulnazar

Tajik poet Gulnazar Keldiev, also referred to as Gulnazar, was born

into a farming family in the village of Dardar in the district of Falghar

in Zarafshan province on September 20, 1945. He received his early

education in the New-Method schools of the region.

Keldiev graduated from Tajikistan State University with a degree in

Tajiki language and literature in 1966. Between 1966 and 1973, he was

the Editor of Komsomoli Tojikiston. In 1973, he took charge of the

monthly Sadoi Sharq. In 1986, he became the Director of the Poetry

Division of the Union of Writers of Tajikistan and, in 1991, he took

over the editorship of Adabiyot va San'at. At the present, he is the Chief

Editor of Vahdat.

Kaliev's first poem appeared in 1963. His poetry spans both tradi-

tional and new poetic genres. His contributions include "Rasmi Sarbozi"

("Military Custom," 1969), "Dastarkhon" ("Display," 1972), "Nar-

dabon" ("Ladder," 1975), "Aghba" ("The Aghba Pass," 1979), "Pahno"

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Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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("Width," 1981), "Sitorai Ulughbeg" ("The Star of Ulughbeg," 1981),

"Langar" ("Anchor," 1984), "Soyai Tut" ("The Shadow of the Mulberry

Tree," 1985), "Pai Daryo" ("At the Sea," 1986), "Chashmi Nigin"

("Nigin's Eye," 1988), "Takhti Rustam" ("The Throne of Rustam,"

1990), and "Tabkhola" ("Fever Blister," 1992).

Kaldiev's language is simple and he composes in du-baitis (cou-

plets). His poetry has contributed a great deal to the enhancement of the

works of the poets before him. His inclusion of a philosophic aspect to

his couplets sets them apart from others.

Keldiev deals with the themes of patriotism, especially the goals of

Lenin, as well as with the praise of mother, love, and nature. His

"Askari Nobina" ("Blind Soldier") and "Takhti Rustam" ("The Throne

of Rustam") exemplify these aspects of his poetry. In "Savdoi Zindagi"

("Zest for Life," 1972), for instance, he depicts Soviet life during World

War II in a most realistic form. "Pai Daryo" ("At the Sea," 1986), simi-

larly deals with the simple life of the Soviets during the war.

Keldiev joined the Union of Writers of Tajikistan in 1973. He is the

winner of the Rudaki and Tursunzoda Literary Prizes, as well as being a

People's Poet of Tajikistan.

Keldiev has traveled to Poland, Yugoslavia, and many of the Repub-

lics of the former Soviet Union