of workers in Samarqand on May 5, 1928. He joined the CPSU in 1952.
Sharofov graduated from the Uzbekistan State Institute in 1949. In
and Literature of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. He received
Prominent Tajik Figures of the Twentieth Century
297
Sharifov's research deals with the lexicology and terminology of lit-
erary Tajiki, Uzbeki, Russian, and Azeri.
Sharofov received the Red Banner of Courage, and the 100
th
Anni-
versary of the Birth of Lenin Prize.
Sheraliev, Loiq
Tajikistan's People's Poet, Loiq Sheraliev, popularly known as Loiq
Sherali, was born on May 20, 1941, to a family of farmers in Panjakent.
He received his early education in Panjakent and moved to Dushanbe in
1959. He joined the CPSU in 1972.
Sheraliev graduated from the Dushanbe Pedagogical Institute with a
degree in literature, in 1963. For a while, he worked for Sado va Simoi
Tojikiston and Komsomoli Tojikiston.
Sheraliev served in many positions at many levels. In 1979, he be-
came the Chief Editor of Sadoi Sharq and in 1988, the Director of the
Bunyodi Zaboni Forsi Tojiki. His first poem is entitled "Nom"
("Name"); it was published in Sadoi Sharq in 1959.
Sheraliev was dedicated to the concept of preserving the cultural
heritage of the Iranian peoples. In this regard, he glorified the poetry of
the major poets of the past in his own poetry. "Jomi Khayyam"
("Khayyam's Cup"), "Man Zindagii Khudro bo Tu Shinokhtam" ("I
Know My Life Because of You"), "Ilhom as Shohnoma" ("Inspired by
the Shahname"), "Taqlidi Mavlavi" ("Mavlavi Imitation"), "Az Bomi
Jahon" ("From the Roof of the World"), and "Az Nomi Jahon" ("In the
Name of the World") are examples of his verses in this regard.
Sheraliev's contributions include "Sari Sabz" ("Green Head," 1966);
"Ilhom" ("Inspiration," 1968); "Nushbod" ("Cheers," 1971); "Sohilho"
("The Shores," 1972); "Khoki Vatan" ("The Soil of the Fatherland,"
1975); "Rizei Boron" ("The Falling Rain," 1978); "Mardi Roh" ("Man
for the Road," 1979); "Varaqi Sang" ("The Rock Piece," 1980); "Khonai
Chashm" ("The Eye Socket," 1982); "Ruzi Sa'id" ("Auspicious Day,"
1984); "Khonai Dil" ("The Abode of the Heart," 1986); and "Jomi Sar-
shor" ("Brimful Cup," 1991).
Sheraliev joined the Union of Writers of the Soviet Union in 1965.
He was the recipient of the Lenin Komsomoli Prize in 1978, and the
Iranian Nilufar Prize in 1999. In addition, he garnered the Red Banner
of Courage, and the 100
th
Anniversary of the Birth of Lenin Prize.
Sheraliev passed away of a stroke in Dushanbe on June 30, 2000.