Abdulla Oripov, the people’s Poet

If you grew up in Uzbekistan, Abdulla Oripov is a household name. His poetry has been taught in schools for decades. Up until his death in 2016, he was a member of the Senate of Uzbekistan. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva was particularly moved when he passed.

The Life of Abdulla Oripov

Oripov was born in 1941 in the village of Nekuz in Qashqadaryo. After graduating with honors from high school in 1963, he studied journalism at Tashkent State University. During this time, Oripov started writing poetry, a passion that was with him for the whole of his life.

His first collection was published in 1965 two years after graduating from university. This was Mitti Yulduz which translates in English to The Little Star.

Oripov would go on to have six children throughout his life, five daughters and a son.

Abdulla Oripov’s Literary Works

From 1965 to 2015, including compilations, Oripov penned twenty-five books on poetry. His work has become revered in Uzbekistan circles. The subject matter speaks to the reader as he conveys his views on all aspects of the human condition and life in Uzbekistan. It is spiritual in nature and talks about the history of his people.

Oripov’s writings touched the hearts of the nation. His work would go on to be taught to every child in the country. Oripov is well known for composing the lyrics to the National Anthem of Uzbekistan when the country regained her independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

As well as writing poetry he translated other famous poets into Uzbek. This included Alexander Pushkin, Dante Alighieri, Nizami Ganjavi, and Taras Shevchenko. Perhaps most famously he translated Dante’s Divine Comedy into Uzbek.

Career

Although he will always be remembered as a poet, he worked for a long time in the publishing industry. For over ten years he worked for various publishing houses and then periodicals such as Sharq Yulduzi (The Eastern Star) and Gulxan (Bonfire) until 1980.

Oripov was a Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan members from 1971 until 2009. In 1994 he would become president of the organization.

Awards

With a career and life ad distinguished as Abdulla Oripov, it is no surprise that he collected award after award. In 1989 he won the State Hamza Prize and became the National Poet of Uzbek in 1989. In 1992 he won the prestigious Alisher Navoiy State Prize. Best of all, he won the Hero of Uzbekistan award which is the highest honor an Uzbekistan civilian can be awarded.

Politics

Abdulla Oripov entered politics in 2005 when he entered the Senate of Uzbekistan. He remained a member until his death in 2016. He also was the head of the Copyright Committee of Uzbekistan from 2000 until 2016.

Oripov would die in 2016 in Houston, Texas, the United States where he was receiving medical treatment.

He left a profound legacy and impression on the people of Uzbekistan at every level of society. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva described the poet as “our pride” and wrote personally on her Instagram page.

The poet will always be revered in Uzbek society.