Quddus Muhammadiy

One of the prominent representatives of 20th-century Uzbek children's literature is Quddus Muhammadiy. His creative work began in the 30s, and his first works were published in the newspaper "Sharq Haqiqati" (Truth of the East) and the magazine "Yer Yuzi" (The Earth). His poetry book titled "Qanotli Do'stlar" (Winged Friends) was awarded the Hamza State Prize of the Republic in 1970. In 1977, the poet was awarded the title of "People's Poet of Uzbekistan".

Biography

In these works, the old and the new, old customs and new ways of life have found their poetic expression through comparison. Certain flaws in people's characters, especially in children, were gently satirized.

Quddus Muhammadiy is famous not only as a children's poet but also as a skilled translator. His translations of S. Marshak, S. Mikhalkov, A. Barto, and K. Chukovsky played an important role in the development of Uzbek children's literature. Q. Muhammadiy always cared about the future of children and their moral development. He wished for them to be educated, capable, and mature professionals and wrote:

If you want to be a gardener,
Or a guardian of the Homeland,
Or a flyer in the sky,
Or a swimmer in the sea,
Whatever you wish to do,
You must study for all of them.

These lines are his advice to the young generation. The great and modest poet of children, Quddus Muhammadiy, passed away in 1997 at the age of 90.

One of the prominent representatives of 20th-century Uzbek children's literature, Quddus Muhammadiy, was born into a peasant family in Tashkent in 1907. After finishing secondary school, he first studied at an agricultural college and then at the Biology Faculty of the Central Asian State University. Quddus Muhammadiy's creative work began in the 30s, and his first works were published in the newspaper "Sharq Haqiqati" and the magazine "Yer Yuzi". His famous epics such as "Sandal va Pechka" (Brazier and Stove) and "O'z-o'zini Tanqid" (Self-Criticism) were created in 1936-1937.

Between 1941 and 1944, Quddus Muhammadiy worked as a secretary for the famous storyteller (bakhshi) Islom Shoir, recording his folk tales and epics. In the post-war years, his first poetry collection was published under the title "Sinov" (Test, 1947). Following this, more than thirty of his books were published, including "O'quvchiga Esdalik" (Souvenir for a Student, 1947), "She'r va Ertaklar" (Poems and Tales, 1947), "Orzu" (Dream, 1948), "Bahor Keldi" (Spring Has Come, 1950), "Dunyoda Eng Kuchli Nima?" (What Is the Strongest Thing in the World?, 1951), "Qirq O'g'il va Qiz" (Forty Boys and Girls, 1951), "Bizning Do'stlarimiz" (Our Friends, 1952), "Sen Tug'ilgan Kun" (The Day You Were Born, 1952), "Yangi Uy" (The New House, 1953), "Mehribon Do'stlar" (Kind Friends, 1953), "Qo'ng'izboy bilan Sichqonboy" (Mr. Beetle and Mr. Mouse, 1955), "Tugmacha" (Button, 1956), and "Tanlangan Asarlar" (Selected Works, 1957). His "Tabiat Alifbosi" (Alphabet of Nature) book, consisting of four volumes, and especially his works in the spirit of folk oral tradition, such as "Ochil Dasturxon" (The Spread Table, 1970), brought the writer great fame. His poetry book titled "Qanotli Do'stlar" (Winged Friends) was awarded the Hamza State Prize of the Republic in 1970. In 1977, the poet was awarded the title of "People's Poet of Uzbekistan".