Azerbaijani literature
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The Azerbaijani language is a language of the Oghuz branch of Turkic languages mutually intelligible with the Turkish of Turkey, Turkmenistan, Iran, the Balkans and the Middle East. It is the official language of the republic of Azerbaijan and is also widely spoken in NW Iran. Azerbaijani literature has a rich literary heritage at least from the 13th century onward.
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[edit] Classical Era
If the Kitab-i Dede Korkud is set aside, whose first composition is ascribed to the 11th century, although the text was probably not fixed before the 14th century, the first great name in Azeri Turkish literature is that of Shaykh Izz ad-Din Asfarayini. [1]. A renowned 13th century poet from Khorasan whose wrote under the pen name of Hasan-Oghlu.
Two important poets of the 14th century who played in an important role in development of Azerbaijani literature were Kadhi Burhan Ad-din and Nasimi. Nasimi a master of Persian and Arabic literature, as well his native Azerbaijani, used his poetic talent to propagate the Hurufi doctrine. The themes and lyricism of his poetry had their influence on later Azerbaijani poets.
In the 15th century, Azerbaijani literature was dominated by Black Sheep Turkmen (Qara Qoyunlu) and White Sheep Turkmen (Aq Qoyunlu), dynasties who ruled in parts of Iran. This period boasts such literary figures as Jahanshah Qaraqoyunlu (pen name Haqiqi), Habibi, and Shah Qasim Enver.
The simple (Azari) Turkish style introduced by Nasimi was developed further by Habibi, Shah Ismail the Safawi and Fizuli. The 16th century poet, Muhammed Fuzuli produced his timeless philosophical and lyrical Qazals in Arabic. Persian and Azerbaijani. Benefiting immensely from the fine literary traditions of his environment, and building upon the legacy of his predecessors, Fizuli was destined to become the leading literary figure of his society. His major works include The Divan of Ghazals and The Qasidas.
In the 16th century, Azerbaijani literature began to flourish — folk literature grew and minstrels and bards began developing Ashiglar poetry. This was also the period when, under the pen name "Khata'i", Shah Ismail I produced his famous work Divani Xetayi. A unique literary style known as “Qoshma” was introduced in this period, developed by Shah Ismail and later on by his successor Shah Tahmasp.
Azeris also celebrate Koroglu, a legendary hero. The Epic of Koroğlu is shared by the Azerbaijanis, Turks, and the Turkmens. Most of the characters in the epic were historical persons, including Koroglu, Giziroglu Bey, Kosa Safar, Jafar and Hasan Pasha. Koroglu's many poems are kept in the Institute of Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.[1]
In the span of the 17th century and 18th century, Fizuli's unique genres as well Ashigh poetry were taken up by prominent poets and writers such as Qovsi of Tabriz, Shah Abbas Sani, Aqa Mesih Shirvani, Nishat, Widadi, Vaqif, Amani, Zafar and others.
[edit] The 19th Century onward
The country's literature in the 20th century was profoundly influenced by political events that took place early in the 19th century — Russia, winning the Russo-Persian Wars annexed Persia's Caucasian territories, which included the territory of the present day Republic of Azerbaijan.
Under Russian rule, Azeri writers who did not conform to the party line were persecuted, particularly while Josef Stalin was in power. Stalin and the Bolsheviks sought to destroy the intellectual foundation of Azerbaijan by turning intellectuals and writers into mouthpieces for propaganda. Accordingly, much of the Azeri writing of the era surrounding World War II was primarily propagandistic. The writers that refused to comply were disciplined — many were seized during Stalin's purges.
An influential piece of post World War II Azerbaijani poetry, Heydar Babaya Salam (Greetings to Heydar Baba) was written by Iranian poet Mohammad Hossein Shahriar who had already established himself as a notable Persian poet. This poem, published in Tabriz in 1954 and written in colloquial Azerbaijani, became popular among Iranians and the people of Azerbaijan Republic. In Heydar Babaya Salam, Shahriar expressed his identity as an Iranian Azerbaijani attached to his homeland, language, and culture. Heydar Baba is a hill near Khoshknab, the native village of the poet.
When Nikita Khrushchev came to power in 1958 following Stalin's death, the harsh focus on propaganda began to fade, and writers began to branch off in new directions, primarily focused on uplifting prose that would be a source of hope to Azerbaijanis living under a totalitarian regime.
[edit] Influences on Azerbaijani Literature
Persian and Arabic literature have greatly influenced Azerbaijani literature, especially in its classical phase. Amongst poets who have written in Persian and have influenced Azerbaijani literature, one can mention Ferdowsi, Sanai, Hafez, Saadi, Attar and Rumi. Arabic literature, especially the Quran and Prophetic sayings, has also played a major role in influencing Azerbaijani literature. Amongst poets who have written in Arabic and have influenced Azerbaijani literature, one can mention Manūr al-Hallāj who has had a wide ranging influence in the Sufic literature of the Islamic world.
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The Book of Dede Korkut (English translation)
- "Literature" by Azeri.org
- Azeri Literature
- Azerbaijani Literature and Authors, part of Virginia Tech University Libraries Slavic, East European, and Former USSR Resources page
- Aesopian literary dimensions in Azerbaijani literature of the Soviet period, 1920--1990, by Maliheh Shams Tyrrell, Columbia University, Faculty Advisor: Edward Allworth, Date: 1999
- The Institute of Literature named after Nizami of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
- The Use of Spoken Russian in Azerbaijani Literature, by Andreas Tietze, Slavic Review, Vol. 22, No. 4 (Dec., 1963), pp. 727-733
- Azeribooks project of the United States Public Affairs Section
- Azerbaijan National Bibliography (1987-1991)
