O‘lmas Umarbekov

The talented writer O‘lmas Umarbekov is among the writers who have had the fortune of earning the respect and esteem of their peers and mentors. He created dozens of short stories, novellas, novels, and dramatic works. No matter in which field or what job he worked in, he always lived with the grief of the nation. Especially in his artistic works - whether they are short stories, novels, or stage works - he always strove to cherish and exalt the spiritual and moral qualities of humans.

Biography

On the occasion of O‘lmas Umarbekov's 50th birthday, he was awarded the honorary title of «Honored Art Worker of Uzbekistan». He attained the high honor of «People's Writer of Uzbekistan».

O‘lmas Umarbekov belongs to the list of prolific and quick-witted writers who entered Uzbek literature in the 50s and 60s.

He was born in Tashkent in 1934. After finishing secondary school, he entered the Faculty of Philology of the Central Asian State University and graduated with excellent marks in 1956. «I also was interested in many things in my youth,» the writer once told. «Later, I dreamed of being a pilot, I also wanted to be a gardener. But literature was stronger than all my dreams. Perhaps that is why, when I finished secondary school, I entered the Faculty of Philology of the Tashkent University without any hesitation.

In my opinion, I was not mistaken. Now, I cannot imagine my life without literature and artistic creation.»

O‘lmas Umarbekov passed away on November 10, 1994, after a serious illness.

Starting his career as a simple editor at the Republican radio, O‘lmas Umarbekov worked as an editor-in-chief there for many years. For nearly ten years, he headed the «O‘zbekfilm» film studio. By 1982, he served as Deputy Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, and later as Minister.

Not long after, he was elected Chairman of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan (1985). At the same time, he was appointed Chairman of the Asian and African Writers' Solidarity Committee. Finally, from 1989 to 1991, he worked as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic.

No matter in which field or what job he worked in, he always lived with the grief of the nation. Especially in his artistic works - whether they are short stories, novels, or stage works - he always strove to cherish and exalt the spiritual and moral qualities of humans.

Career

O‘lmas Umarbekov was occupied with tireless research and creative work for nearly forty years. He created dozens of short stories, novellas, novels such as «Odam Bo‘lish Qiyin» and «Fotima va Zuhra», and dramatic works such as «Qiyomat Qarz», «Shoshma, Quyosh», «Oqar Suv», «Sud», «Komissiya», «Kuzning Birinchi Kuni», «Arizasiga Ko‘ra», «Kurort», and «Er Yonganda». He also wrote screenplays for films such as «Ikki Soldat Haqida Qissa», «O‘zgalarni Deb», and «Qalin Qorlar Bag‘ridagi Uchrashuv». The novel «Odam Bo‘lish Qiyin» was awarded the prize of the youth organization of Uzbekistan (1971), the film «Ikki Soldat Haqida Qissa» was awarded the State Prize of the Republic named after Hamza (1977), and the novella «Damir Usmonovning Ikki Bahori» was awarded the prize of the former Soviet youth organization named after N. Ostrovsky (1984).

On the occasion of his 50th birthday, he was awarded the honorary title of «Honored Art Worker of Uzbekistan». And finally, in 1992, he attained the high honor of «People's Writer of Uzbekistan».

After his death, his novel «Fotima va Zuhra» was published and staged at the Muqimiy Theater. Today, there is a street and a school named after him. The I and II volumes of his three-volume «Selected Works» have been published.