| Famous Uzbek Soviet writer Date of Birth: 10.04.1894 |
Abdulhamid Suleymanovich Cho'lpon, known as Abdulla Qodiriy, was born on April 10, 1894, in Tashkent, Turkestan, Russian Empire. He attended a Russian-native school and graduated in 1910.
Qodiriy's early works, such as the short story "Libertine" (1915) and the play "Unfortunate Groom" (1915), depicted aspects of traditional Uzbek life with gentle humor. These writings reflected the influence of Jadidism, a reformist movement that sought to modernize Muslim society.
Qodiriy's later works focused on the struggles and transformations of the Uzbek people. His novel "Obid Ketmen" (1935) explored themes of collectivization and the impact of modernization on rural life.
In the 1930s, Qodiriy wrote an unpublished play that has survived only in drafts. Decades later, renowned theater director Mark Weil staged a production based on these drafts, titled "White White Black Stork," at his Ilhom Theater in Tashkent.
During the Soviet era, Qodiriy worked for the Uzbek satirical magazine "Mushum" ("Fist"). His satirical stories and feuilletons enjoyed immense popularity among readers, earning him a reputation as a social critic.
In 1938, Qodiriy was arrested and executed during Stalin's purges. He was later posthumously rehabilitated. His grave lies in the Khuja-Alam Bardor (Kamalan) cemetery in Tashkent.
Qodiriy is considered a towering figure in Uzbek literature. A street in central Tashkent and a metro station on the Yunusabad line bear his name. His works have been translated into numerous languages and continue to resonate with readers today.