Ozod Sharafiddinov – The Star of Uzbek Literature After Navoi
Ozod Sharafiddinov, a distinguished figure in Uzbek literary criticism and philology, has left an indelible mark on the field. His creative and scholarly legacy remains highly relevant today. He was not only a literary critic but also a translator, publicist, and an enlightened intellectual.
Looking at his life path, he was born on March 1, 1929, in the village of Okhunqaynar, near Kokand. He graduated from the Faculty of Philology at the Central Asian State University. His thirst for knowledge led him to complete postgraduate studies in Moscow, where he earned a PhD in 1955. Later, he continued his work at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, conducting in-depth research in literary studies.
Ozod Sharafiddinov’s works focus on the development of Uzbek literature, creative freedom, and the study of talented writers. He authored numerous literary-critical articles and monographs. One notable example is the book “Zamon. Qalb. Poeziya” (“Time. Soul. Poetry”), which analyzes the essence of Uzbek poetry and the emotional depth of poets.
Another book that deeply impressed me is “Iste’dod jilolari” (“The Sparkles of Talent”, 1976). This work explores the creativity of gifted Uzbek poets and writers. Sharafiddinov examines their writing style, mastery, and role in the literary process. The book provides an in-depth study of writers such as Oybek, G‘afur G‘ulom, and Abdulla Qahhor.
His work “Adabiy etyudlar” (“Literary Etudes”, 1968) discusses the relationship between literature and society, creative freedom, and the role of literary criticism. Sharafiddinov emphasizes that literary criticism should not only highlight shortcomings but also serve as a tool for the development of writers.
Another remarkable book, “So‘nggi satr Vatan shoniga aylandi” (“The Last Line Became the Glory of the Homeland”) delves into the theme of patriotism, explaining its artistic and spiritual significance.
Sharafiddinov also made significant contributions as a translator. He translated many masterpieces of world literature into Uzbek. Among his notable translations are Leo Tolstoy’s “Confession”, Paulo Coelho’s famous novel “The Alchemist”, and Anton Chekhov’s psychological short stories. His translations preserve the artistic and spiritual essence of the original works, making them accessible to Uzbek readers.
His contributions to Uzbek literature were highly esteemed. On August 23, 2002, he was awarded the title of “Hero of Uzbekistan.”
In his works, Ozod Sharafiddinov not only analyzed the artistic aspects of literature but also examined its social significance. He established himself as a leading literary scholar and a master of criticism. His scientific and artistic legacy solidified his position as one of the greatest figures in Uzbek literature after Navoi. His contributions played a key role in shaping new directions in literature beyond Navoi’s era. Today, Sharafiddinov remains one of the brightest representatives of Uzbek literature, and his academic and creative legacy continues to be relevant. His works are not only valuable for literary scholars but also for writers and readers.
In conclusion, I must say that reading Ozod Sharafiddinov’s works has been a true intellectual and spiritual nourishment for me. Each book deepened my perspective on literature and enriched my thoughts. I highly recommend exploring his works, as they offer not only knowledge but also profound enrichment for the soul.
Odina A’zamqulova
1st-year student at the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan