Turmush correspondent met with Murazbek—a poet from the village of Jerge-Tal, whose life path remarkably combines poetic inspiration with the hard work of a peasant.
Murazbek was born in 1970 in the village of Choloq-Kaiyn, where he completed his secondary education. To date, he is the author of two poetry collections: "Echo of the Soul" ("Jan düynö janırygy") and "White Light in the Distance" ("Alystagy ak zharik"). His wife works as a teacher at the Itikula Moldobayev school in Jerge-Tal, and the poet himself raises four children—a son and three daughters.
According to Kerimov, poetry for him is a sacred space. "When a successful line comes to mind or I manage to capture the beauty of nature in a poem, it brings such pleasure that cannot be expressed in words," he shares.
Murazbek's creative career began in school years when he wrote notes for wall newspapers. In his childhood, he passionately read fiction. The poet claims that his inspiration is always with him, regardless of life circumstances.
Many of his poems arise at the request of friends or within the tasks set by the literary-artistic association "Poetry Ordusu," of which he is a member. "In our association, new themes are proposed daily, and everyone tries to show their creativity. Our leader, Klara Niyazova, a member of the Writers' Union of the Kyrgyz Republic, has played a significant role in my creativity," he adds.
The main theme of his poems is the beauty of his native land, but his work also includes love lyrics, philosophical reflections on the past and present, and instructive poems.
Last year, Murazbek decided to try his hand at prose. "As for how my stories meet artistic standards, that's up to the reader to decide. In the next publication, I plan to release a collection of stories and 'akiynek' (humorous exchanges in verse). My wife, a primary school teacher, and other people inspired me to write many 'akiynek,' which have already formed a whole book," he recounts.
The poet takes a critical view of his work. "I do not consider all my works to be great. There are some that I like, and some that I do not. But if at least one poem out of ten makes someone think, then I have not wasted my contribution to literature," says Murazbek.
He notes that it is difficult for emerging authors from rural areas to publish their books. "Selling books is difficult now, especially if you are known only in your village. However, my fellow villagers support me by buying books from me at home. My neighbors helped me publish my first book, becoming my sponsors, and my son helped with the second," shares the poet.
Despite the simple life in the village, Murazbek Kerimov has received high recognition for his achievements:
- - commemorative medal from the "Alykul Osmonov" foundation (on the 110th anniversary of the great poet);
- - "Altyn Kalem" ("Golden Pen") award from the "Poetry Ordusu" association (2023);
- - title of "Best Writer" from the Central Asian Writers' Union "Turan Birimdigi" (2024).
Life in the village requires versatile skills. Murazbek is not only engaged in creativity but also runs a small farm, works as a blacksmith and welder at construction sites, and manages a workshop for repairing car tires.
"We try to test ourselves in various fields. If there are orders, I make doors, gates, carts, and trailers for cars. There are few residents in our village, so there is often less work than free time, but we are always busy," he says.
Murazbek recalls one incident from his school years: "The Kyrgyz language teacher gave me a three. My classmate Almabek, who was an excellent student, was outraged: 'If you give Murazbek a three, then give us all twos.' Thanks to his support, my grade was changed to a 'four'," he shares.
In 1991, Murazbek accidentally met the great poet Baidyldu Sarnoyev in Bishkek, near the Osh market. Sarnoyev was surrounded by people and was composing poems on the go. "Next to him stood a man from Jumgal, who was said to be feared by Baidyldu in poetic duels. Sarnoyev joked that this man lived next to Midin Alibaev and supposedly had his talent. The man immediately responded in verse: 'Bite your tongue, do not tarnish Midin, or I will quickly shake your pride out of you.' Baidyldu just smiled and said that he had long wanted to invite this gem to the editorial office, but he does not agree. What a remarkable meeting," recalls Murazbek Kerimov.
HEY, LIVING ONES!
Hey, living ones! Take care of each other,
Hey, living ones! Do not sell each other!
Regretting not to be left behind,
Value your loved ones in this world!
Hey, living ones! Remember not to forget,
The day will come when you will depart from this light.
You cannot please your parents at that time,
If you cover their coffin with gold.
You cannot warm their hearts with laughter,
If you bring the Sun to their tomb.
The prayer of the living will be,
The only letter from the earth that will be sent.
__________
They lived for their children, my dear ones,
Being a child is both joy and suffering.
The love you dedicated to your child,
They gave to you without any lack.
They did not want you to be less than others,
How many boots their soles have torn.
They thought for you to study,
Not thinking that it might be in vain.
Those who brought you to adulthood,
May they never be sad.
While you have eyes from your parents,
May it be a reason for your flight!
THOUGHTS AFTER THE WEDDING
I went to the in-laws,
I brought a cap-cap!
By the time I arrived, it had gone bad,
I brought it in the trash!
__________
Ten times they fed me,
They brought me into ten houses.
They slaughtered a horse and a goat,
They showed their wealth.
__________
From the house of my in-laws,
They shook hands five times.
My in-laws are strong,
They showed it here too.
__________
There was no meat in the pot,
The slaughter was a disaster.
It was a horse like a mountain,
Its thirty was barely filled.
__________
Behind such a feast,
All sorts of gossip arise.
The waste of the feast,
Will fill the pot with regrets.
__________
The meat thrown away,
What else could it be but waste!
It exceeded a million,
When measured in soms!
__________
We boast with pride,
We say we slaughtered livestock for the child.
No one has reached it yet,
We say we set a record!
__________
If we waste less,
What would be the harm!
If we give four-fifths of the expenses,
What would be the harm for the children!
__________
As the era develops,
Knowledge stands tall.
But we hold a feast,
Like in the nineteenth century.
__________
Without reducing my expenses,
We are increasing them.
For twenty people,
We will slaughter twenty livestock!
__________
When I call my in-laws,
What will I do now?
I cannot imagine,
How I will feed them ten times!
