“Gold stars shine in the sky brighter than stars of your beautiful eyes. Only my beloved can have such unusual eyes…”, - quite often we hear the words of this popular even today a song, being performed by variety artists of different countries, and at times, we hum them. This song was first sounded 60 years ago in the Turkmen movie, which caught the fancy of many generations, “Cunning of old Ashir”, where it was sung by Rashid Beybutov. Authors of the song – Turkmen poet Kara Seyitliyev (Russian translation by A. Krongauz) and composer from Azerbaijan Andrey Babayev departed this life long ago, but it goes on to live and gladden the souls of people with heartfelt words and bewitching music.
In this year, the literary community of the country celebrates the 100th anniversary since birthday of Kara Seyitliyev.
He was born in 1915 in uneasy period of historical changes. Literature always attracted Kara, but in the ocean of genres, a poetry was particular for him. He became engrossed in reading Pushkin, Magtymguly, and Mayakovski. In many respects, their creativity influenced on his formation as poet.
… The fate measured off only 56 years for Kara Seyitliyev. As if foreseeing this, he used at most this time, having left as heritage numerous poetic collections, poems, which became the song, several plays for theatrical staging, and translations of classic productions in Turkmen language.
Let heart is throbbing,
Let throb unevenly,
Take into account my main request,
Let it break early,
Only I would remain in the ranks.
Verses of K. Seyitliyev were started to be published since 1938 during student days in Baku Pedagogical Institute. Starting as lyric poet, he made his début with collection of poems “The Lyra of poet”, but fiery forties left its trace on the creativity of young poet. He creates the collection of military-patriotic poems “Fighting inspiration” run with feeling of love for Motherland.
As any creative individual, Kara Seyitliyev was always in the center of events, taking place in the society. Therefore, it is natural that his poetry in postwar years preserves civil-journalistic character (“Spring”, “Under high sun”, “Spring all the year round”). But, the poet tirelessly goes on to look for his intonation, being a lyricist in soul. His lyric poetry has not differed by glare. Poems are intentionally modest and simple, but they attach them delicate sensitivity, which remain for a long time in the memory of readers. Melodiousness of his poetry could not be remain unnoticed – Turkmen composers worked with great pleasure with the texts of poems by Kara, selected melodies for them, and they become favorite songs.
Among melodies I loved a sound,
It has unprecedented lyric gift.
Its ringing strings – the strings of heart.
That instrument is dutar.
Kara Seyitliyev also works as translator. His translation into Turkmen language of poem “Copper rider” by Pushkin remains to be in demand even today among Turkic readers. Jointly with dramatist G. Muhtarov, Kara Seyitliyev becomes the author of libretto to the opera “Ayna”, but greater success accompanied this tandem in dramaturgy. Contentious plays “Daughter of gardener”, “Family of Allan”, “Silver cigarette case” become unusually popular, and to the motif of play “Son of shepherd”, it was made a feature film. Patriotic text written by the poet to the musical oratorio of composer D. Ovezov brought him a title of laureate of the State Prize named after Magtymguly.
Thought about sacred friendship of nations and cultures runs through the poems devoted to great singers of human soul – Magtymguly, Pushkin, Hikmet. His lines from poem “Magtymguly” are unusually emotional.
With people you lived with single life,
Gladdened with Motherland, grieved with Motherland.
Love for it – the source of unfading glory
Immortality – a destiny inspired hearts, -
Unfading fragrant wreath.
On the field of bloody fearlessness and honor,
When together with brotherly people,
We fought with enemy under banner of freedom,
You was with your brave spirits in the battles,
Your unforgettable name for people
Served as shield and reliable blade.
… In the center of our capital, in favorite place of recreation for residents of Ashgabat – “Ylham” Park, there is a bust of writer of Turkmenistan Kara Seyitliyev. Admirers of the talent and his descendants bring flowers there and surely, the lines of favorite poems written by the poet or words of popular song “Only my beloved has…” come back their memory.
In this year, the literary community of the country celebrates the 100th anniversary since birthday of Kara Seyitliyev.
He was born in 1915 in uneasy period of historical changes. Literature always attracted Kara, but in the ocean of genres, a poetry was particular for him. He became engrossed in reading Pushkin, Magtymguly, and Mayakovski. In many respects, their creativity influenced on his formation as poet.
… The fate measured off only 56 years for Kara Seyitliyev. As if foreseeing this, he used at most this time, having left as heritage numerous poetic collections, poems, which became the song, several plays for theatrical staging, and translations of classic productions in Turkmen language.
Let heart is throbbing,
Let throb unevenly,
Take into account my main request,
Let it break early,
Only I would remain in the ranks.
Verses of K. Seyitliyev were started to be published since 1938 during student days in Baku Pedagogical Institute. Starting as lyric poet, he made his début with collection of poems “The Lyra of poet”, but fiery forties left its trace on the creativity of young poet. He creates the collection of military-patriotic poems “Fighting inspiration” run with feeling of love for Motherland.
As any creative individual, Kara Seyitliyev was always in the center of events, taking place in the society. Therefore, it is natural that his poetry in postwar years preserves civil-journalistic character (“Spring”, “Under high sun”, “Spring all the year round”). But, the poet tirelessly goes on to look for his intonation, being a lyricist in soul. His lyric poetry has not differed by glare. Poems are intentionally modest and simple, but they attach them delicate sensitivity, which remain for a long time in the memory of readers. Melodiousness of his poetry could not be remain unnoticed – Turkmen composers worked with great pleasure with the texts of poems by Kara, selected melodies for them, and they become favorite songs.
Among melodies I loved a sound,
It has unprecedented lyric gift.
Its ringing strings – the strings of heart.
That instrument is dutar.
Kara Seyitliyev also works as translator. His translation into Turkmen language of poem “Copper rider” by Pushkin remains to be in demand even today among Turkic readers. Jointly with dramatist G. Muhtarov, Kara Seyitliyev becomes the author of libretto to the opera “Ayna”, but greater success accompanied this tandem in dramaturgy. Contentious plays “Daughter of gardener”, “Family of Allan”, “Silver cigarette case” become unusually popular, and to the motif of play “Son of shepherd”, it was made a feature film. Patriotic text written by the poet to the musical oratorio of composer D. Ovezov brought him a title of laureate of the State Prize named after Magtymguly.
Thought about sacred friendship of nations and cultures runs through the poems devoted to great singers of human soul – Magtymguly, Pushkin, Hikmet. His lines from poem “Magtymguly” are unusually emotional.
With people you lived with single life,
Gladdened with Motherland, grieved with Motherland.
Love for it – the source of unfading glory
Immortality – a destiny inspired hearts, -
Unfading fragrant wreath.
On the field of bloody fearlessness and honor,
When together with brotherly people,
We fought with enemy under banner of freedom,
You was with your brave spirits in the battles,
Your unforgettable name for people
Served as shield and reliable blade.
… In the center of our capital, in favorite place of recreation for residents of Ashgabat – “Ylham” Park, there is a bust of writer of Turkmenistan Kara Seyitliyev. Admirers of the talent and his descendants bring flowers there and surely, the lines of favorite poems written by the poet or words of popular song “Only my beloved has…” come back their memory.
