During the events of 1916, he ended up in China with refugees; upon returning in 1917, he lost his parents on the way and wandered as a homeless child until 1922. In 1922, he was accepted into a Soviet party school (boarding school) in Tashkent. From 1923 to 1927, he studied at the V. I. Lenin Central Asian University. In 1927, he worked for a time as the head of the regional education department of the Chuy canton. From 1927 to 1929, he was the editor of the newspaper "Kyzyl Kyrgyzstan," from 1930 to 1931—editor of the Kyrgyz sector of the Central Publishing House in Moscow, from 1931—chief editor of Kyrgyz State Publishing House, and from 1934 to 1949—with interruptions—chairman of the board of the Writers' Union of Kyrgyzstan. During these years, he also combined work as the chief editor of the magazine "Sovettik Kyrgyzstan" and director of the Institute of Language and Literature of the Kyrgyz SSR. From 1955 to 1956, he was the chief editor of the satirical magazine "Chalkan."
In the first issue of the first newspaper in the history of Kyrgyz press, "Erkin Too," published on November 7, 1924, A. Tokombaev's poem "The Time of October Has Come" was published. Writing under the pseudonyms "Chalkar" ("Expanse") and "Balka" ("Hammer"),
the poet wrote relevant, sharply political poems. His first poetry collection "Lenin tuuralu" ("About Lenin") was published in 1927 in Tashkent. It included poems celebrating the greatness of Lenin, the Communist Party, and the new free life of the Kyrgyz people. This book was reissued in 1936 with minor changes and additions under the title "Lenin."
In the 1930s, he published a series of poetry collections "Viz kurmandykka karshybiz" ("We Are Against Death"), "Ataka," "Emgek gulu" ("Flowers of Labor"), and others, as well as the first book of the novel in verse "Kanduu zhylдар" ("Bloody Years").
In the early 1940s, the writer established himself as a master of lyrical romantic prose. During these years, he created the novellas "Ranenoe serdtse" ("Wounded Heart"), "Taina melodii" ("The Secret of the Melody"), and others, reworking the novel "Bloody Years" and publishing it under the title "Pered zarey" ("Before Dawn"). During the Great Patriotic War, he created a number of works on patriotic themes: "Zemlyak Manasa," "About 28 Heroes," plays "Klyatva," "Gordost," "Khozyainy lesa."
In 1952, the poet completed work on the poem "Svoimi glazami" ("With My Own Eyes"), which reveals the deep changes that occurred in the psychology of the Kyrgyz peasantry during the years of socialist construction. In 1962, the completed version of the novel "Before Dawn" was published, becoming one of the significant works of modern Kyrgyz literature.
In 1958, selected works were published in 4 volumes, and in 1972—selected works in 3 volumes. Most of A. Tokombaev's works have been published in Russian, with separate editions released in Ukrainian, Kazakh, Tajik, Uzbek, Lithuanian languages, and some works published abroad.
The writer actively worked in the field of poetic translation. He translated works by S. Marshak, A. Kunanbaev, and J. Djabaev into Kyrgyz. He participated in the translation and publication of many collective collections.
A. Tokombaev is one of the authors of the State Anthem of the Kyrgyz SSR, co-author of the translation of the USSR Anthem into Kyrgyz and the party anthem "Internationale."
In 1967, the novel "Before Dawn" was awarded the State Prize of the Kyrgyz SSR named after Toktogul Satylganov. People's Poet of Kyrgyzstan (1945). Full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR (1954). Hero of Socialist Labor (1974). Member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union since 1927, member of the Union of Soviet Writers since 1934.
He was awarded two Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of the October Revolution, the Order of the Badge of Honor, the Gold Star, the Medal for Valorous Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, and honorary certificates from the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR and several fraternal republics.
He was repeatedly elected as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR, a candidate member of the Kyrgyz Regional Committee, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
in Kyrgyz language;
Lenin тууралу: Кыргыз тилиндеги ырлар. —Tashkent: Ortoazkitap publishing house, 1927. —74 p. About Lenin.
Виз курмандыкка каршыбыз. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1931. —22 p. We are against sacrificial offerings.
Атака: Жыйнак. —M. —Tashkent: State publishing house of Central Asia, 1932. — 252 p.
Туткун Марат. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1932. Prisoner Marat.
Змгек гулу: Ырлар жыйнагы. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1932. — 123 p. Flowers of Labor.
Абалкы ырлар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1934. First Poems.
Биздйн китеп: Балдар оюну ыр менен жана ырлар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1934. — 35 p. Our Book.
Иргелген ырлар жана 1916-жылдагы поэмадан узунду. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1935. —35 p. Selected Poems and Excerpts from the 1916 Poem.
Канаттуу достор: Балдар ангемеси. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1935.—• 22 p. Winged Friends.
Ырлар жыйнагы. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1935. — 52 p. Collection of Poems.
ТСандуу жылдар: 1916-жыл: Роман: 1-китеп. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1935. — 294 p. Bloody Years.
Кандуу жылдар: 1916-жыл: Роман. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1938. — 297 p. Bloody Years.
Кандуу жылдар: Роман. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1940. —308 p. Bloody Years.
Жараланган журвк. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1941. —288 p. Wounded Heart.
Сыйкырчы жвнундв жомок. —F. —Kazan: Kyrgyzmambas, 1941.— 24 p. A Tale about a Wizard.
Тубвлук жыргал учуй куреш. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1941. — 22 p. Struggle for Eternal Goods.
Алга. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1942. — 128 p. Forward.
Ашырбай: Очерк. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1943. — 24 p.
Улуу агабыз орус эли. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1943. — 23 p. The Russian People — the Elder Brother of the Kyrgyz People.
Алкоо: Жацы ырлар. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1944. —56 p. Blessing.
Таалай издеген индус: Жомок. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1947. — 32 p. An Indian in Search of Happiness.
Тан алдында (Кандуу жылдар): 1940—1945-жылдар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1947. —208 p. Before Dawn (Bloody Years).
Биздин китеп: Ырлар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1949. —32 p. Our Book.
Тандалган ырлар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1950. —244 p. Selected Poems.
Белегим: Ырлар.— F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1951. —81 p. My Gift.
0з кезум менен: Поэма-повесть. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1952. — 200 p. With My Own Eyes.
Ырлар. —F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1954. —408 p. Poems.
Жомоктор. —F.: Kyrgyzokuupedmambas, 1955. —52 p. Tales.
Турмуш. — Ырлар жана пбэмалар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1955. — 120 p. Life.
Лирика. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1958. — 88 p.
Чыгармалар: 4 томдон турган жыйнак: 1—2-т. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1958. Selected Works.
Бээжинден белек: Жолдогу очерк жана ырлар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1967. — 107 p. A Gift from Beijing.
Комуз куусу: Ырлар жана поэмалар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1960.— 215 p. Under the Melodies of the Komuz.
0з кезум менен. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1962. — 199 p. With My Own Eyes.
Тан алдында (Кандуу жылдар): Роман. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1962.—420 p. Before Dawn (Bloody Years).
Жараланган журек: Повесттер жана ангемелер. — F.: Kyrgyzokuupedmambas, — 1963, —235 p. Wounded Heart.
Волга менен суйлешуу: Ырлар. — F.: Kyrgyzmambas, 1964. —30 p. Conversation with the Volga.
Мезгил уну: Ырлар жана поэмалар. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1965. — 162 p. Voice of Time.
Солдат элек: Повесть. — F.: Mektep, 1965. — 259 p. We Were Soldiers.
Тац алдында (Кандуу жыл): Роман. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1966. — 431 p. Before Dawn (Bloody Years).
Момия: Ырлар, дастандар, бир шилтемдер: 1965—1969. —F.; Kyrgyzstan, 1970. —382 p.
Жараланган журек: Повесттер жана ацгемелер. — F.: Mektep, 1971. —294 p. Wounded Heart.
Тандалган чыгармаларынын 3 томдук жыйнагы. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1972. 1- т.: Ырлар жана алгачкы дастандары. —642 p. 2-т.: Роман жана дастандары. —620 p. Selected Works in 3 Volumes.
Тандалган чыгармаларынын 3 томдук жыйнагы: 3-т. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1973. —802 p. Selected Works in 3 Volumes.
Ашырбай: Очерк. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1974. — 18 p.
Белегим: Лирикалык ырлар. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1974. —400 p. My Gift.
Биздин китеп: Ырлар. —F.: Mektep, 1975. —27 p. Our Book.
Республикам: Публицистикалык поэма. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1975. — 46 p. My Republic.
Акай мерген: Ангемелер. —F.: Mektep, 1976. —27 p. Hunter Akai.
Жылдызым: Ырлар, дастандар. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1976. — 272 p. My Star.
Куунун сыры: Повесттер жана ангемелер. — F.: Mektep, 1977. — 337 p. The Secret of the Melody.
Менин метрикам: Ырлар, поэма. — F.: Mektep, 1979. — 179. —80 p. My Metric.
Республикам. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1979. —48 p. My Republic.
Омур элестери: Тандалган ырлар, дастандар. —F,: Kyrgyzstan, 1980. —676 p. The World of My Life.
Жараланган журек: Повесттер, ангемелер, драма. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1981. — 294 p. Wounded Heart.
Жетим менен сыйкырчы: Жомок. —F.: Mektep, 1981. —13 p. The Orphan and the Wizard.
Мезгил учат: Повесттер жана ангемелер. — F.: Mektep, 1983. — 208 p. Time Flies.
Акай мерген: Ангемелер. — F.: Mektep, 1984. — 36 p. Hunter Akai.
KYYHYH сыры: Ырлар, ангемелер, повесттер. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1984.—357 p. The Secret of the Melody.
Тац алдында (Кандуу жыл): Ыр менен жазылган роман. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1984. —347 p. Before Dawn (Bloody Years).
in Russian language:
Collection of Poems. —F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1933. —45 p.
Zemlyak Manasa: Poems. —F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1943.
Before Dawn: Poems. — M.: Sov. writer, 1946. — 113 p.
Novels and Stories. — F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1946. — 139 p.
Morning Meeting: Poems. — M.: Sov. writer, 1946. — 131 p.
Selected Poems. —M.: Sov. writer, 1952. — 151 p.
Selected: Poems and Poems. — F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1954. — 104 p.
Selected: Poems and Poems. —M.: Goslitizdat, 1958. —407 p.
Time Flies: Stories and Novels. —F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1958.— 208 p.
Meeting in China: Poem. —F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1958. —11 p.
An Indian in Search of Happiness: Poem-Tale. — F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1958. — 21 p.
Melodies of the Komuz: Poem. —F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1962. — 162 p.
Conversation with the Volga: Poems. — F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1964. — 13 p.
Before Dawn. —M.: Sov. writer, 1966. — 127 p.
Before Dawn: Novel. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1968. —296 p.
My Republic: Publicistic Poem. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1974. —48 p.
We Were Soldiers: Novels. —M.: Young Guard, 1974. —320 p.
Poems. — M.: Artistic Literature, 1974. — 174 p.
Selected. — M.: Artistic Literature, 1975.
Tree: Poems, Poems. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1978. —280 p.
My Republic: Poem. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1979. —46 p.
Four Seasons: Poems. —F.: Mektep, 1979. — 16 p.
I See My Youth: Poems. — M.: Pravda, 1982. —63 p.
Master: Poems. —M.: Sov. writer, 1982. —59 p.
The Orphan and the Wizard: Tale. — F.: Mektep, 1982. —32 p.
Hope: Lyrics and Poems. — F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1983. — 124 p.
Selected: Poems, Poems, Novella. — M.: Artistic Literature, 1984.—447 p.
The Magical Spring: Poem-Tale. — F.: Mektep, 1985. — 72 p.
Hunter Akai: Tales. —F.: Mektep, 1987. —40 p.
in the languages of the peoples of the USSR:
Wave of Issyk-Kul: Poems and Poem. —Kiev: Rad. writer, 1975.— 151 p.— Ukr.
To Friends: Poems. —Tashkent: Publishing House of Literature and Art, 1975. — 62 p. — Uzb.
Selected: Poems. —Alma-Ata: Zhazushy, 1975. — 185 p.— Kaz.
Poems. —Dushanbe: Nashrdav tochik. 1961. Taj.
We Were Soldiers: Novella. —Vilnius: Vaga, 1976. — 183 p.— Lit.
TRANSLATIONS
Marshak S. Tales, Poems. — F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1952. — 88 p.
Kunanbaev A. Poems of Abai. —F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1954. — 128 p.
Djabaev J. Selected Poems. —F.: Kyrgyzgosizdat, 1955. — 120 p.
Kunanbaev A. My People: Poems. —F.: Kyrgyzstan, 1970.— 108 p.