RasulRasulGamzatoGamzato

vv1923-20031923-2003

Rasul Gamzatov was born on Rasul Gamzatov was born on September 8, 1923, in the Avar village September 8, 1923, in the Avar village of Tsada in the north-east Caucasus. of Tsada in the north-east Caucasus. His father, Gamzat Tsadasa, was a His father, Gamzat Tsadasa, was a well-known bard, heir to the ancient well-known bard, heir to the ancient tradition of minstrelsy still thriving in tradition of minstrelsy still thriving in the mountains.the mountains.

Gamzat Tsadasa’s House in Gamzat Tsadasa’s House in the Village Tsada.the Village Tsada.

Bards were held in high Bards were held in high honour. When honour. When Makhmud, famous poet Makhmud, famous poet of the previous of the previous generation, sang in a generation, sang in a busy market-place, busy market-place, plucking the strings of plucking the strings of his pandura for his pandura for accompaniment, young accompaniment, young and old would listen in and old would listen in silence with bated silence with bated breath: even a bee’s breath: even a bee’s flight could be heard.flight could be heard.

Legendary BardMakhmud

In the early twenties of this In the early twenties of this century when the first Soviet century when the first Soviet lecturers came to a village lecturers came to a village women would sit with their women would sit with their backs to the speaker, who was backs to the speaker, who was not supposed to see their faces. not supposed to see their faces. But when a bard followed with But when a bard followed with his songs they would face him his songs they would face him out of respect for his art and out of respect for his art and were even permitted to throw were even permitted to throw back their veils.back their veils.

The young Rasul, The young Rasul, impatient of any impatient of any interruption, would interruption, would listen for hours on listen for hours on end to the Avar end to the Avar stories, legends and stories, legends and fables his father fables his father would relate. would relate. «When I was quite «When I was quite small,» he recalls, small,» he recalls, «he would wrap me «he would wrap me in his sheepskin in his sheepskin cloak and recite his cloak and recite his poems to me, so I poems to me, so I knew them all by knew them all by heart before 1 ever heart before 1 ever rode a horse or rode a horse or wore a belt."wore a belt."

Gamzat Tsadasa and Young Rasul

From the small From the small window of his father’s window of his father’s flat-roofed house of flat-roofed house of solid stone he could solid stone he could see a patch of green see a patch of green field spread like a field spread like a tablecloth below the tablecloth below the village and, above it, village and, above it, overhanging rocks.overhanging rocks.Paths wound like Paths wound like snakes up the steep snakes up the steep slopes where caves slopes where caves gaped like the jaws of gaped like the jaws of wild beasts. Beyond wild beasts. Beyond the mountain ridge the mountain ridge rose yet another, rose yet another, arched and rough as arched and rough as a camel’s back.a camel’s back.

As a boy Rasul would As a boy Rasul would graze a neighbour’s horse graze a neighbour’s horse for three days with the for three days with the telling of a story as his telling of a story as his reward. He would climb reward. He would climb half a day to join half a day to join shepherds in the shepherds in the mountains and walk half a mountains and walk half a day back just to hear a day back just to hear a single poem!single poem!In the second form at In the second form at school he walked twelve school he walked twelve miles to see an old man, a miles to see an old man, a friend of his father’s, who friend of his father’s, who knew many songs, poems knew many songs, poems and legends. The old man and legends. The old man sang and recited to the sang and recited to the young boy for four days young boy for four days from morning till night. from morning till night. Rasul wrote down what he Rasul wrote down what he could and went happily could and went happily home with a bagful of home with a bagful of poems.poems.

He was eleven when he wrote his first verse, He was eleven when he wrote his first verse, lying on a bull’s hide on the balcony at home. lying on a bull’s hide on the balcony at home. It was a poem about the local boys who ran It was a poem about the local boys who ran down to the clearing where an aeroplane down to the clearing where an aeroplane landed for the first time in 1934.landed for the first time in 1934.His father was his first tutor in the art of His father was his first tutor in the art of poetry. «Of my early poems he said that if poetry. «Of my early poems he said that if you rummaged in the ash you might find at you rummaged in the ash you might find at least a glowing ember,» Rasul recalls.least a glowing ember,» Rasul recalls.

He studied at the pedagogical institute and, He studied at the pedagogical institute and, in 1940, returned to teach in his village in 1940, returned to teach in his village school for a short time. He then took on a school for a short time. He then took on a series of jobs, including director's assistant series of jobs, including director's assistant in a traveling theatre troupe, and worker for in a traveling theatre troupe, and worker for radio as well as the newspaper radio as well as the newspaper Bolshevik Bolshevik GorGor..

In 1943, he published his first In 1943, he published his first collection of poems, collection of poems, Fiery Love and Fiery Love and Burning HateBurning Hate, in Avar, the language , in Avar, the language of Dagestan. That same year, he of Dagestan. That same year, he became a member of the Soviet became a member of the Soviet Writers UnionWriters Union The title of his first book of poems The title of his first book of poems was «Love Inspired and Fiery Wrath». was «Love Inspired and Fiery Wrath». He was overjoyed when girls in the He was overjoyed when girls in the mountains who had read it wrote to mountains who had read it wrote to him—and to this day he cannot forget him—and to this day he cannot forget his pain on seeing a shepherd in his pain on seeing a shepherd in winter pastures using a page to roll a winter pastures using a page to roll a cigarette. cigarette.

In 1945 with a few In 1945 with a few books of his own in books of his own in Avar tucked under his Avar tucked under his arm and with a arm and with a meager sum of money meager sum of money in his pocket, he in his pocket, he arrived in Moscow to arrived in Moscow to enter the Gorky enter the Gorky Institute of Literature. Institute of Literature. There in the There in the stimulating company stimulating company of younger poets and of younger poets and under the guidance of under the guidance of veteran writers he veteran writers he studied Russian and studied Russian and world literature and world literature and the craft of poetry. By the craft of poetry. By turns he fell in love turns he fell in love with Blok, with Blok, Mayakovsky, Yesenin, Mayakovsky, Yesenin, Pasternak, Tsvetayeva, Pasternak, Tsvetayeva, Bagritsky, the Avar Bagritsky, the Avar Makhmud and the Makhmud and the German Heine. German Heine.

But Pushkin and But Pushkin and Lermontov remained Lermontov remained his constant love.his constant love.Over the past fifty Over the past fifty years Rasul years Rasul Gamzatov has been Gamzatov has been one of the most one of the most prolific of Soviet prolific of Soviet poets. From his pen poets. From his pen have come short have come short love lyrics, long love lyrics, long narrative poems, narrative poems, ballads, epigrams ballads, epigrams and philosophical and philosophical octaves, which have octaves, which have won him millions of won him millions of devoted readers.devoted readers.

He lived with his He lived with his three charming three charming daughters Zarema, daughters Zarema, Patimat and Salikhat Patimat and Salikhat in Makhachkala, the in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan capital of Dagestan on the shores of the on the shores of the Caspian. His home Caspian. His home was open to all. With was open to all. With pride in fine pride in fine craftsmanship he craftsmanship he showed friends his showed friends his collection of splendid collection of splendid swords, riding cloaks, swords, riding cloaks, wine horns and the wine horns and the rust-brown pottery rust-brown pottery for which Dagestan is for which Dagestan is famed. famed.

Of the land of Of the land of his birth, of its his birth, of its people and its people and its poets he had poets he had drawn a drawn a fascinating, fascinating, intimate and intimate and human portrait human portrait in his recent in his recent prose volume of prose volume of musings and musings and reminiscences reminiscences «My Dagestan».«My Dagestan».

Winner of a Lenin Winner of a Lenin Prize for poetry Prize for poetry and honoured and honoured with the title of with the title of People’s Poet of People’s Poet of Dagestan, Rasul Dagestan, Rasul Gamzatov is a Gamzatov is a well-known public well-known public figure, chairman figure, chairman of the Union of of the Union of Dagestan Writers. Dagestan Writers. He has traveled He has traveled widely in Europe, widely in Europe, Asia and America.Asia and America.

Said Amirov and Rasul Gamzatov

Rasul Gamzatov Rasul Gamzatov wrote in his native wrote in his native Avar tongue, a Avar tongue, a language spoken by language spoken by no more than no more than 500,000 people. Yet 500,000 people. Yet even so the Avars even so the Avars along with the along with the Darghins, Lezghins Darghins, Lezghins and Kumyks are and Kumyks are among the largest among the largest ethnic groups in the ethnic groups in the two-million two-million population of population of Dagestan, where 36 Dagestan, where 36 different languages different languages are spoken. are spoken.

According to old According to old legend the horseman legend the horseman who rode across the who rode across the world distributing world distributing languages threw a languages threw a whole sackful into the whole sackful into the mountain gorges and mountain gorges and told the people, «sort told the people, «sort them out your-them out your-selves!»selves!»So the problem of So the problem of translation is a translation is a familiar hurdle to the familiar hurdle to the people of Dagestan, people of Dagestan, where books are where books are written and published written and published in nine different in nine different languages.languages.

Rasul Gamzatov was Rasul Gamzatov was fortunate in his fortunate in his Russian translators, Russian translators, Naum Grebnev and Naum Grebnev and Yakov Kozlovsky, Yakov Kozlovsky, many of whose many of whose brilliant versions have brilliant versions have become classics of become classics of Russian poetry. So Russian poetry. So much so that Rasul much so that Rasul himself, reciting his himself, reciting his poems in public in the poems in public in the strongly rhythmic strongly rhythmic guttural Avar tongue, guttural Avar tongue, often follows on often follows on smoothly and smoothly and spontaneously with spontaneously with the Russian the Russian translation which he translation which he also knows by heart. also knows by heart.

His Literary Activity His Literary Activity and Awardsand Awards

Gamzatov translated many of the best Russian Gamzatov translated many of the best Russian poets into the Avar language. Among his many poets into the Avar language. Among his many translations are the works of Pushkin, translations are the works of Pushkin, Lermontov, Mayakovsky, and Esenin.Lermontov, Mayakovsky, and Esenin.

His poetry collection His poetry collection Year of My BirthYear of My Birth (1950) was (1950) was awarded the USSR State Prize in 1952. Gamzatov awarded the USSR State Prize in 1952. Gamzatov also won the Lenin Prize for his 1962 collection also won the Lenin Prize for his 1962 collection Lofty StarsLofty Stars. Some of his other titles include, . Some of his other titles include, Word About The Older BrotherWord About The Older Brother (1952), (1952), Dagestani Dagestani SpringSpring (1955), (1955), MinerMiner (1958), (1958), My Heart is in The My Heart is in The HillsHills (1959), (1959), Two ShawlsTwo Shawls, , LettersLetters (1963), (1963), Rosary Rosary of Yearsof Years (1968), (1968), By The HearthBy The Hearth (1978), (1978), Island of Island of WomenWomen (1983), (1983), Wheel of LifeWheel of Life (1987) as well as (1987) as well as the lyrical novel the lyrical novel My DagestanMy Dagestan (1967-1971). (1967-1971).

In 1959, Gamzatov was In 1959, Gamzatov was declared a People's Poet declared a People's Poet of Dagestan. In 1974 he of Dagestan. In 1974 he became a Hero of became a Hero of Socialist Labor. Socialist Labor.

In 1950, Gamzatov was In 1950, Gamzatov was named Chairman of the named Chairman of the Dagestani Writers Union, Dagestani Writers Union, a post he held until his a post he held until his death.death.

In connection with the In connection with the approach of Gamzatov's approach of Gamzatov's 80th birthday, the entire 80th birthday, the entire of 2003 was declared the of 2003 was declared the Year of Rasul Gamzatov Year of Rasul Gamzatov in Dagestan.in Dagestan.

On 3 November On 3 November 2003, Rasul 2003, Rasul Gamzatov Gamzatov passed away in passed away in the Central the Central Clinical Clinical Hospital in Hospital in Moscow.Moscow.

STARSSTARS

Stars of night, stars of Stars of night, stars of night,night,at my verses peerat my verses peerlike the eyes, like the eyeslike the eyes, like the eyesof men no longer here.of men no longer here.

In the hour of night reposeIn the hour of night reposeI can hear them say:I can hear them say:”Be the conscience bright ”Be the conscience bright of thoseof thosethe war years took away!”the war years took away!”

A hillman, true to A hillman, true to Dagestan,Dagestan,no easy path is mine.no easy path is mine.Who knows, perhaps, who Who knows, perhaps, who knows, perhapsknows, perhapsI’ll be a star sometime?I’ll be a star sometime?

Then at another’s verse I’ll Then at another’s verse I’ll peer,peer,an earth-committed star,an earth-committed star,The conscience bright of The conscience bright of those who mythose who mycontemporaries are.contemporaries are.

Shall my successors only Shall my successors only readreadtranslations of Makhmud?translations of Makhmud?Am I the last Avar to writeAm I the last Avar to writeand still be understood?and still be understood?

I love this life, the whole I love this life, the whole wide worldwide worldI view with loving gaze.I view with loving gaze.But best I love the Soviet But best I love the Soviet land,land,which I—in Avar—praise.which I—in Avar—praise.

I’d die for this free land of I’d die for this free land of toiltoilwhat ranges East and West.what ranges East and West.But let it be on Avar soilBut let it be on Avar soilthat in my grave I rest,that in my grave I rest,

And let it be in Avar wordsAnd let it be in Avar wordsthat Avars meeting therethat Avars meeting therespeak of Rasul, their speak of Rasul, their kinsman, poetkinsman, poet..A poet’s son and heir!A poet’s son and heir!

MY NATIVE TONGUEMY NATIVE TONGUE

Such follies trouble us in sleepSuch follies trouble us in sleep——last night I dreamt I died:last night I dreamt I died:in a deep ravine I lie unseen,in a deep ravine I lie unseen,a bullet in my side.a bullet in my side.

A stream is thundering A stream is thundering nearby,nearby,in vain I wait for help.in vain I wait for help.Upon the dusty earth I lie,Upon the dusty earth I lie,soon to be dust myself,soon to be dust myself,

For no one knows that here I For no one knows that here I die,die,and nothing conies in view,and nothing conies in view,but eagles wheeling in the sky,but eagles wheeling in the sky,a shy young deer or two.a shy young deer or two.

To mourn my most untimely To mourn my most untimely deathdeathand weep in solemn chorusand weep in solemn choruscome neither mother, wife, nor come neither mother, wife, nor friend,friend,none of the village mourners.none of the village mourners.

Yet just as I prepare to dieYet just as I prepare to dieunnoticed and unsung,unnoticed and unsung,I hear two men go passing byI hear two men go passing bywho speak my native tongue.who speak my native tongue.

In a deep ravine I lie unseen,In a deep ravine I lie unseen,I pine, but they with gleeI pine, but they with gleerelate the wiles of one Hasan,relate the wiles of one Hasan,the intrigues of Ali.the intrigues of Ali.

And, as I hear the Avar speech,And, as I hear the Avar speech,my strength comes flowing backmy strength comes flowing back——his is a cure no scholars teach,his is a cure no scholars teach,a balm the doctors lack.a balm the doctors lack.

May other tongues cure other May other tongues cure other menmenin their particular way,in their particular way,but if tomorrow Avar die,but if tomorrow Avar die,I’d rather die today!I’d rather die today!

No matter if it’s hardly usedNo matter if it’s hardly usedfor high affairs of state,for high affairs of state,it is the language that I chooseit is the language that I choose——to me Avar is great!to me Avar is great!

The CranesThe Cranes I sometimes think that I sometimes think that

warriors brave who met warriors brave who met their death in bloody fight their death in bloody fight were never buried In a were never buried In a grave but rose as cranes grave but rose as cranes with plumage white.with plumage white.

Since then unto this very Since then unto this very day they pass high overhead day they pass high overhead and cry, is that not why we and cry, is that not why we often gaze in silence as the often gaze in silence as the cranes go by?cranes go by?

In far-off foreign lands I see In far-off foreign lands I see the cranes in evening’s the cranes in evening’s dying glow fly quickly past dying glow fly quickly past in company, as once on in company, as once on horseback they would go.horseback they would go.

And as they fly far out of And as they fly far out of reach I hear them calling reach I hear them calling someone’s name. Is that not someone’s name. Is that not why our Avar speech recalls why our Avar speech recalls the clamour of a crane?the clamour of a crane?

Across the weary sky they Across the weary sky they race who friend and kinsman race who friend and kinsman used to be, and in their used to be, and in their ranks I see a space – perhaps ranks I see a space – perhaps they are keeping it for me. they are keeping it for me.

One day I’ll join the flock of One day I’ll join the flock of cranes, with them I shall go cranes, with them I shall go winning by, and you who winning by, and you who here on earth remainhere on earth remain

will listen to my strident will listen to my strident cry. cry.

Rasul Gamzatov and Ian Rasul Gamzatov and Ian FrenkelFrenkel