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Magtymguly Pyragy (Persian: مخدومقلی فراغی Makhdumqoli[lower-alpha 1] Farāghi; Turkmen: Magtymguly Pyragy; Turkmen pronunciation: [mɑɣtɯmɢʊlɯ pɯɾɑːɣɯ]; Turkish: Mahtumkulu Firaki;[2] c. 1724-1733[3][4][5]^{[better source needed]} – c. 1807),[5]^{[better source needed]} born Magtymguly, was a Turkmen spiritual leader, philosophical poet, Sufi and traveller who is considered to be the most famous figure in Turkmen literary history.[6][7]

Magtymguly Pyragy
A Soviet Union stamp with an artistic depiction of Magtymguly Pyragy, 1983
Native name	مخدومقلی فراغی
Born	Magtymguly c. 1724 (1724) or (1733-05-18)18 May 1733 Hajji Qushan, Khorasan, Safavid Iran
Died	c. 1807 (1808) (aged 74–83) Giňjaý, Akdepe (vicinity of the Etrek river), Khorasan, Qajar Iran
Resting place	Aq Taqeh-ye Qadim, Golestan Province, Iran
Pen name	Pyragy (Feraghi)
Occupation	Spiritual leader, philosophical poet, sufi, traveller
Language	Turkmen, Persian, Arabic
Nationality	Turkmen
Alma mater	Idris Baba Madrassah, Gögeldaş Madrassah, (Emirate of Bukhara), Şirgazy Madrassah, (Khanate of Khiva)
Period	Golden Age of Turkmen literature
Genre	Poetry, qoshuk form
Subject	Patriotism, social inequality, love
Literary movement	Realism
Notable works	Türkmeniň
Spouse	Akgyz (disputed)
Parents	Döwletmämmet Azady, Orazgül (disputed)

Many Turkmens regard Magtymguly's poems as pinnacle of Turkmen literature; they are often found in the homes of Turkmen-speaking people, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings. His life and poems have become the subjects of much analysis, commentary and interpretation, and have influenced post-18th century Turkmen writing more than the works of any other author.[8]^{[better source needed]}

In a wider context, Magtymguly is often placed alongside major figures of the Turkic literary world such as Hoja Ahmad Yasawi, Yunus Emre, Ali-Shir Nava'i and Fizuli.[9]

Biography

Early life and education

Magtymguly was born in Haji Qushan, a village near the city of Gonbad-e Qabus in the modern-day province of Golestan, Iran, the northern steppes of which are known as Turkmen Sahra (Turkmen steppes). It was part of the extensive Safavid Empire in the first half of the 18th century.[10]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly's father was Döwletmämmet Azady, himself a prominent poet. His father was also a local teacher and mullah, and was highly regarded by his people.[11]^{[better source needed]} Magtymguly's mother's name was probably Orazgül, though this claim is not universally accepted.[12]^{[better source needed]} Not much is known about Magtymguly's siblings, nor how many there were at all. Prominent Turkmen historian A.Aşyrow, who conducted substantial research on Magtymguly's biography, names Abdylla and Mämmetsapa as his brothers and Zübeýda as his sister.[13]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly received his early education in the Turkmen, Persian and Arabic languages from his father Azady.[14]^{[better source needed]} He continued his studies in various madrassahs (religious school of higher learning), including Idris Baba madrassah in the village of Gyzyl Aýak, Gögeldaş madrassah in Bukhara and Şirgazy madrassah in Khiva.[15]^{[better source needed]}[16]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly provided basic information about himself, his family and children in his poetry. In one of his poems, Magtymguly states: "Tell those who enquire about me that I am a Gerkez, I hail from Etrek and my name is Magtymguly",[17]^{[better source needed]} identifying his homeland as the banks of the Etrek River and expressing his identity through his tribe.[18]^{[better source needed]}

Later life

In 1750s, while studying in Bukhara, Magtymguly became friends with a Turkmen from Syria, Nuri Qasim ibn Bahr. He was a highly educated person and bore the spiritual title of Mawlana. Together with Nuri Qasim, Magtymguly travelled through the territories of present-day Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and crossed Afghanistan reaching Northern India.[7]^{[better source needed]}

After finishing his studies and returning home, Magtymguly worked as a silversmith; he also taught local children and was engaged in writing poetry.[19]^{[better source needed]} He developed a realistic style of writing about 18th-century Turkmens that became very popular and led to him becoming one of the most cherished Turkmen poets of all time. He was a devout naqshbandi Sufi, who was said to have travelled throughout all of the lands comprising modern Turkmenistan, teaching and praying for the salvation of his people.[20]^{[better source needed]} His strong religiosity and deep sense of spirituality are found in poems such as Gaşy ýaý and Söýmüşem seni.[21]

After 1760 and until his death, Magtymguly traveled to the Mangyshlak Peninsula, Astrakhan, Azerbaijan, and the Middle East.[7]^{[better source needed]}

Not much is known about Magtymguly's family life. He was unable to marry a woman he loved from his own village, Meňli, whom he dedicated a great deal of his love poems. It may be implied though, through some of his poems and several other sources, that he was married to the wife of his deceased brother, Akgyz, after he was asked to do so by the local council of aksakgals (esteemed elders).[22]^{[better source needed]}

The following is the excerpt from Magtymguly's Aýryldym (Separated) poem dedicated to Meňli (in original Turkmen and its English translation):[23]^{[better source needed]}

Apparently, after losing the love of his life, Magtymguly started composing under the Pyragy laqab (pseudonym), which is translated as "separated" from Arabic.[24]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly's brothers Abdylla and Mämmetsapa disappeared, presumably while on a mission on behalf of their people in Iran, and his two children[16]^{[better source needed]} died young. Magtymguly was also pained by the death of his father, with whom he had maintained close relations throughout his life.[19]^{[better source needed]} Some of Magtymguly's poetry, along with stories collected from Turkmen oral traditions, suggest he was taken prisoner, likely in Mashhad, Iran. It is unknown who took him captive, but such events were common in 18th-century Iran and Turkmenistan. A servant of the ruler, who was also a Turkmen, allegedly aided Magtymguly's escape.[19]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly died in 1807 in the place known as Giňjaý, situated on the bank of Etrek River,[25]^{[better source needed]} while his resting place is in the village of Aq Taqeh-ye Qadim, in Golestan Province, Iran.[26]^{[better source needed]}

Sufism and mysticism

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Magtymguly's adherence to Sufism is a matter of popular debate since several, if not all, of his poems that had religious, Sufi or mystic background and motives were not published until lately. Those poems stress certain teachings and practices of the Quran and the sunnah, and describe ethical and spiritual goals. Magtymguly's Yşkyň kitabyn açaly (Let's open the Book of Love) is an excellent example:[27]^{[better source needed]}

Note: The first four lines is the original (Turkmen) language of the poem written using Arabic alphabet as in one of the earliest manuscripts, while next are in modern Turkmen alphabet; English translation is provided further down.

1

عاشق فراق دير عرضين

روزه نماز ديان فرضين

Aşyk Pyrak diýer arzyn,

Roza, namaz diýen parzyn,

Feraghi-in-love will state his will,

Our sacred duty is to pray and fast,

2

بوينومزده اوش بو قرضين

جان چقمان بريب كچلی

Boýnumyzda uşbu karzyn,

Jan çykman berip geçeli!

We have this debt on our shoulders,

Let's return it before we leave!

Sufism is also present in Magtymguly's Bady-sabany görsem (If I could feel the Eastern breeze) poem, where he wishes to see all the renowned Sufis of the East:

All three people Magtymguly wishes to have seen (known) are considered prominent figures in Sufism, with Bahauddin being the founder of one of the largest Sufi Sunni orders, the Naqshbandi.[28][29]^{[better source needed]}

It is also believed that Magtymguly's father, Azady, was also a Sufi.[30]^{[better source needed]}

Political ideals

Magtymguly promoted the idea of keeping the "Turkmen way" sacred and of maintaining the unity and integrity of the Turkmen people. During his lifetime, his efforts had minimal success overcoming the existing tribal loyalties and rivalries.[31]^{[better source needed]} His poem Bäşimiz is an exemplary illustration of the call for unity.[32]^{[better source needed]}

The Turkmen tribes of the 18th century were torn by internal violence and the aggression of powerful neighbors. Much of Magtymguly's poetry depicts the suffering of the common people caused by the selfishness of those in power.[33]^{[better source needed]} Magtymguly criticized rulers and religious figures for their exploitation of the poor and their mockery of justice in such stanzas as:[34]^{[better source needed]}

Poetry

Magtymguly was one of the first Turkmen poets to introduce the use of classical Chagatai, the court language of the Khans of Central Asia, as a literary language, incorporating many Turkmen linguistic features.[35] His poetry exemplifies a trend towards increased use of Turkic languages rather than Persian; he is revered as the founder of Turkmen poetry, literature and language.[36]^{[better source needed]} His poetry gave start to an era litterateurs depict as the "Golden age" in Turkmen literature.[37]^{[better source needed]} Magtymguly is widely considered holy among Turkmen communities and his poems are often quoted as proverbs in Turkmen society.[38]^{[better source needed]} Magtymguly's literary genre mostly adhered to realism.[39]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly most often promoted patriotism, despised social inequality and hailed love in his poems.[40]^{[better source needed]} He made much use of the qoshuk form of poetry,[41]^{[better source needed]} which features prominently in Turkmen folk songs and is easily adapted to Turkmen musical forms. The qoshuk form consists of quatrains with lines consisting of eight or eleven syllables, and follows a rhyming scheme of ABCB for the first stanza, and CCCB and DDDB for the following stanzas. The compatibility of Magtymguly's poems with traditional musical forms allowed them to be easily adopted by bakhshis (traditional singers).[42]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly's first poem "By night when I was asleep ... Revelation" is thought to have been composed following an incident that occurred when Magtymguly was a child. His family were invited to a wedding, but Magtymguly fell asleep, so his parents left him behind. As he slept, he began to foam at the mouth and his parents were called back to the house. When his father awoke him, Magtymguly recited his first poem.[34]^{[better source needed]} Another of Magtymguly's poems recounts a dream in which Omar Khayyam bestowed upon him the gift of poetic invention.[43]^{[better source needed]}

Magtymguly's poetry is often personal and takes up universal themes. His work includes elegies on the deaths of his father and children, the disappearance of his brothers, incitements to Turkmen unity, tirades against unjust mullahs and khans, praises of religious figures (such as the Twelve Imams), and laments at losing his lover to another man.[44]^{[better source needed]}

On one occasion, Magtymguly's village was raided and his possessions, including poetry manuscripts, were carried away on a camel. The camel slipped, spilling the manuscript into the Etrek River. Upon seeing this, Magtymguly composed the following lines: "Flood took my manuscript, thus leaving me behind with tears in my eyes".[34] The poem also contains the lines:

Although Magtymguly apparently recorded much of his poetry, none of the original texts are currently known. The existence of a few manuscripts is chronicled by scholars working under the Russian Empire. Following the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, however, Soviet policy regarded texts written in the Arabic script as religious, leading to the destruction of many of his manuscripts. Many Turkmen who possessed manuscripts buried them while fleeing the Soviet Union to Iran.[45]^{[better source needed]}

Legacy

27 June is celebrated in Turkmenistan as "the Day of Workers of Culture and Arts and the poetry of Magtymguly Fragi".[46]

Monuments

Monuments to Magtymguly Pyragy are installed in cities across the former USSR, including Kyiv (Kiev), Astrakhan, Tashkent,[47] and Khiva, as well as in Iran and Turkey. A monument to Magtymguly made of concrete and natural stone was erected in Magtymguly Square on Magtymguly Avenue in the center of Ashgabat in 1971.[48]

Toponyms

• Magtymguly is a city in far south-western Turkmenistan in Balkan Province, the administrative center of Magtymguly District.[49]
• Magtymguly is a zone in a gas and oil field in Turkmenistan.[50]

Institutions and organizations

The following are named after Magtymguly:

• Turkmen State University[51]
• Magtymguly National Institute of Language, Literature and Manuscripts[52]
• Magtymguly Musical and Drama Theater in Ashgabat.[53]
• Youth Organization of Turkmenistan[54]
• A library in Kyiv.[55]

Cinema

• Makhtumkuli (1968, producer Alti Karliyev) — the role was played by Hommat Mulluk.[56]
• Fragi – Razluchyonnyy so schastyem (1984, producer Khodzhakuli Narliev) — the role was played by Annaseid Annamuhammedov.[57]

Postage

In 1959, the USSR issued a postage stamp to mark the 225th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly.[58] In 1983, the USSR issued another stamp to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth.[59] Turkmenistan issued a 10 manat banknote bearing his likeness in 2009.

Other

• In 1974, an orchestral composition by Veli Mukhatov was created "In memory of Magtymguly".[60]
• In 1992, the Magtymguly International Prize in the field of Turkmen language and literature was established.[61]
• In 2013, the composer Mamed Huseynov wrote an opera called "Monologues of Magtymguly Pyragy".[62]
• From 2002 to 2008, the month of May in Turkmenistan bore the name "Magtymguly".[63]
• In 2014, the Magtymguly Pyragy Medal was established as a reward for great achievements in the study, dissemination and promotion of the creative heritage of Magtymguly.[64]
• A Turkmen dry cargo ship is named "Magtymguly".[65]

See also

• History of Turkmenistan
• Turkmen literature
• Turkmen music
• Bagşy
• Sufism
• Döwletmämmet Azady
• Magtymguly International Prize

Notes

References

External links

• Essay on Magtymguly's Philosophy of Upbringing
• Essay on the life and works of the poet

На других языках

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- [en] Magtymguly Pyragy

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[es] Magtymguly Pyragy

Magtymguly Pyragy (en persa: مخدومقلی فراغی, Makhdumqoli Faraghi; en turcomano: Magtymguly Pyragy; ca. 1733 – ca.1813) fue un poeta filosófico y líder espiritual turcomano quien promovió acciones para asegurar la autonomía su de pueblo durante el siglo XVIII y quien escribió sobre una diversa variedad de temas: místicos, líricos, religiosos, sociales, patrióticos, entre otros.

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[ru] Махтумкули

Махтумкули́ (туркм. Magtymguly Pyragy; перс. مخدومقلی فراغی‎, Maxdumqoli Faraği) (1724—1807) — туркменский поэт, философ, классик туркменской литературы. Сын поэта Довлетмамеда Азади.

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