THE ROLE OF THE POETRY OF THE RUSSIAN POET SERGEY YESENIN IN THE POETRY OF ERKIN VOHIDOV

АННОТAЦИЯ

В данной статье проанализирована художественная близость и вопросы перевода между выдающимся представителем узбекской поэзии Эркином Вахидовым и великим русским лириком Сергеем Есениным. В ходе исследования были выявлены общие черты в трактовке тем природы, человеческих эмоций и национального духа в творчестве обоих поэтов. Было обосновано, что переводы Есенина, выполненные Вахидовым, направлены не только на передачу текста, но и на сохранение его эмоционально-эстетического содержания. В работе определено влияние восточного духа в цикле «Персидские мотивы» на творческий путь Вахидова, а также раскрыта роль этих переводов в обогащении узбекской литературы 1960-х годов. Кроме того, проанализировано, как искренность и простота лирического героя Есенина нашли отражение в поэтическом стиле Вахидова, сделав его творчество уникальным.

ABSTRACT

This article analyzes the artistic affinity and translation issues between the prominent representative of Uzbek poetry, Erkin Vohidov, and the great Russian lyricist, Sergei Yesenin. Through the research, common features in the interpretation of themes such as nature, human emotions, and national spirit in the works of both poets were identified. It was substantiated that Vohidov's translations of Yesenin’s works sought not merely a textual change but the preservation of their emotional and aesthetic essence. The study determined the significance of the "Oriental spirit" in Yesenin’s "Persian Motifs" as a key factor in Vohidov's creative interest and revealed the role of these translations in enriching Uzbek literature during the 1960s. Furthermore, it was determined how the simplicity and sincerity of Yesenin’s lyrical hero resonated with Vohidov’s poetic style, bringing Russian poetry closer to the Uzbek audience.

Ключевые слова: Эркин Вахидов, Сергей Есенин, перевод, лиризм, национальный дух, Персидские мотивы, сравнительное литературоведение, эстетическая красота, поэзия, эмоция, лирика, романтика, психика, чувства, Восток, Запад.

Keywords: Erkin Vohidov, Sergei Yesenin, translation, lyricism, national spirit, Persian Motifs, comparative literature, aesthetic beauty, poetry, translation, emotion, lyrics, romance, Persian motif, psyche, emotions, East, West.

Introduction. Erkin Vohidov is an Uzbek poet, one of the most exemplary and influential representatives of Uzbek poetry, combining national and universal themes in his works. Themes related to the national spirit, nature, man, and various aspects of life are prominent in his poem [2, 6].

Russian poet Sergei Yesenin, on the other hand, is known for his lyrical and romantic style; in his works such topics as nature, human emotion, love and the complexity of life occupy a central place. Yesenin’s poems are generally lively, emotional, and aesthetically rich, and he can express the spirit of his time and the feeling of his people [3, 26].

Vohidov’s poetry also embodies Yesenin’s lyricism, simplicity, and pursuit of joy. His works often express inner feelings, love, and longing, which create similarities with Yesenin’s poetry.

At the same time, Vohidov is also able to deeply express the culture, traditions, and language of the Uzbek people in his works. The national elements in his poems further enrich his work and make it unique.

Erkin Vohidov, as part of the updates in Uzbek literature, tried to revive Yesenin’s poetry in his native language. In his translation of Yesenin’s lyrical works, he seeks not only to change the text but also to preserve its emotional and aesthetic content. Vohidov’s translations helped to convey the emotional depth and aesthetic beauty of Yesenin’s poetry – aesthetic qualities of Yesenin’s original poems to Uzbek readers [4, 6].

Sergei Yesenin (1895-1925) is a bright and influential representative of Russian poetry. His poems cover themes related to nature, human emotions, and the national spirit. Yesenin’s first collection of poems is called “Radunitsa” (1916), and he created many works in the following periods. His work, in particular, depicts natural landscapes and rural life, which is clearly reflected in Vohidov’s translations [5, 42].

Vohidov began to shape his work in response to the changes in society in the 1960s. As a master poet, he always worked for the interests of the people. Vohidov’s interest in Yesenin’s poetry served as an important stage in his creative path. Through these translations, Vohidov introduced the richness of Russian poetry into Uzbek literature.

Erkin Vohidov’s attitude to Sergei Yesenin’s poetry and his place in his work demonstrate the influence of Russian poetry on Uzbek literature. Vohidov’s translations brought Yesenin’s works closer to Uzbek readers and introduced them to the beauty of Russian poetry [6, 21].

Sergei Yesenin’s lines are short, his language is fluent and simple, and the lyrical hero’s attitude to life, nature, and people is permeated with rural sincerity and truthfulness. Most importantly, his works have an oriental spirit. This did not arise by itself. After getting acquainted with the examples of classical poetry in Persian, the poet strongly desires to go to Iran. However, the relations between Russia and Iran at that time dictated that it was not advisable to send a Russian poet there. Nevertheless, Sergei Yesenin insisted on going to Iran, so he was sent to one of the villages of Azerbaijan near Baku. Living here for some time, he felt the oriental spirit, enjoyed the way of life of the people of the East, and soon his collection of poems, “Persian Hymns,” was written. In Eastern poetry, the love for Allah was strongly sung in the form of a metaphorical love for the beloved. Following this example, the Russian poet also wrote love poems dedicated to the beauty of the East. However, it is not difficult to notice that under the pretext of this topic, a Westerner’s love for the East was burning. [7, 12].

Whether he describes Russian life or writes about oriental themes, the essence of Sergei Yesenin’s poems is universal. Regardless of nationality, religion, or race, a feeling of light, joy, love, and familiarity with goodness arises in the heart of anyone who reads them. This is what they say: poetry purifies the soul. Most of Sergei Yesenin’s poems were translated into rhythm by Erkin Vohidov. This poetry had a great influence on the work of Uzbek poets. We can clearly see this in the work of Erkin Vohidov, Tilak Jura, Maruf Jalil, Khurshid Davron, Muhammad Yusuf and others [8, 10].

Erkin Vohidov, in translating Sergei Yesenin’s poetry into Uzbek, includes several important aspects of his work. Vohidov’s translations clearly and impressively express Yesenin’s lyrical images, nature, human life, and mental states. Below are examples of Vohidov’s use of Yesenin’s poetry:

Vohidov translated Yesenin’s collection "Persian Songs". The poems in it include:

“We are all children for a while,

Sometimes tears in the eyes, sometimes laughter on the lips...”

These lines clearly reveal Yesenin’s philosophy about human life and his feelings.

Lyrical images related to nature also play an important role in Vohidov’s translations:

“Wake me up early in the morning,

My dear, kind mother!”

These lines re-express Yesenin’s ability to feel nature in an Uzbek context.

Vohidov uses artistic psychologism to reveal Yesenin’s human soul and his inner world:

“I am a simple guy from Moscow...”

These lines represent the poet’s personal experience [9;12].

Vohidov also expresses Yesenin’s interest in Eastern culture in an Uzbek context:

“He was very interested in Eastern culture...”

The influence of Eastern elements is noticeable in the works that emerged from him.

Erkin Vohidov’s contribution to introducing Sergei Yesenin’s work into Uzbek literature through his translations of his poetry is immeasurable. His works are widely known among Uzbek readers and have brought Yesenin’s poetry closer to them.

Results. Erkin Vohidov, in translating Sergei Yesenin’s poetry into Uzbek, restored several important parts of his work. Vohidov translated Yesenin’s collection “Persian Songs” into Uzbek, which brought Yesenin’s lyrical images and emotions about nature and human relationships to Uzbek literature.

Vohidov expressed Yesenin’s lyrical images in Uzbek, which shows the sincerity and simplicity of his works. The relationship between nature and man in his poems is also felt in Uzbek literature.

Vohidov reinterpreted Yesenin’s ability to feel nature in an Uzbek context. The acceptance of nature in his poems and the emotions associated with its psyche are in harmony with the natural landscapes of Uzbekistan.

Vohidov emphasized Yesenin’s interest in Eastern culture and its influence on his work. His poetry is often imbued with an oriental spirit and imagery, which is clearly reflected in Vohidov’s translations.

Vohidov brought the human life, fate, and tragic events of Yesenin’s work into Uzbek literature. His poems deeply express the human psyche, which has an impact on the spiritual world of the Uzbek people.

By translating Sergei Yesenin’s poetry, Erkin Vohidov served to widely disseminate his work in Uzbek literature, while at the same time strengthening ties between the two cultures.

Erkin Vohidov has divided Sergei Yesenin’s poetry into philosophical, lyrical, and sociocultural aspects of his work. In his translation and analysis of Yesenin’s works, Vohidov has highlighted several important aspects of his work:

Vohidov reinterpreted the philosophical content of Yesenin’s poems, human life, destiny, and spiritual values, in the Uzbek context. The deep thoughts about the human psyche, its inner world, and life in his works are clearly reflected in Vohidov’s translations.

Vohidov translated Yesenin’s lyrical imagery into Uzbek, bringing the sincerity and spiritual experiences associated with nature in his works to Uzbek literature. The nature and human relationships in his poems are in harmony with the landscapes of Uzbekistan.

Since Yesenin’s work is associated with Eastern culture, Vohidov also reinterpreted the oriental elements of his works, in particular the themes of the collection "Persian Songs", in the Uzbek context.

Vohidov reinterpreted Yesenin’s ability to feel nature in the Uzbek context. The relationship between nature and society, rural life, folk language and traditions are also important in his work.

This once again confirms that by translating Sergei Yesenin’s poetry, Erkin Vohidov served to widely disseminate his work in Uzbek literature, while at the same time strengthening ties between the two cultures. [10, 36].

Conclusion. The role of Sergei Yesenin’s poetry in Erkin Vohidov’s poetry is important, and he played a major role in the development of Uzbek poetry in a new form. It follows from the analysis of Erkin Vohidov’s role and influence in introducing Sergei Yesenin’s poetry into Uzbek literature. By translating and analyzing Yesenin’s work, Vohidov re-expressed its philosophical, lyrical, and sociocultural aspects in the Uzbek context. By introducing the poetry of Sergei Yesenin into Uzbek literature, Erkin Vohidov strengthened the ties between the two cultures and demonstrated the influence of his work on the development of national poetry. The place of Sergei Yesenin’s poetry in Erkin Vohidov’s poetry can be considered an important example of Russian influence in Uzbek literature. Vohidov’s works reflect Yesenin’s lyricism, love of nature, and ways of expressing human emotions [11, 7].

This article explores the parallels between Vohidov’s work and Yesenin’s poetic methods, as well as their common themes, lyricism, and romanticism. Vohidov, while absorbing Yesenin’s influence in his works, strives to preserve the national spirit and culture of the Uzbek people. Also, the universal themes in Vohidov’s work, such as the relationship between man and nature, and the issues of life and death, are seen in the same way as in Yesenin’s poetry. This study helps to further understand Vohidov’s work and reveals the influence of Russian literature on Uzbek poetry.

References:

1. Vohidov, E. – “Poetry and Man” (a work about Vohidov’s work and his philosophy).
2. Sultanov, A. – “Russian Influence in Uzbek Poetry” (a study of the influence of Russian poetry in Uzbek poetry).
3. Tursunov, N. – “Erkin Vohidov: Creativity and Influences” (a collection of articles about Vohidov’s work and his influences).
4. Sergey Yesenin – “Collection of Poems” (Yesenin’s works and their lyrical features).
5. Ruzmetova, G. – “Lyrics and Romanticism in Uzbek Poetry” (lyrical elements in Uzbek poetry and their sources).
6. Bobojonov, U. – “Poetry and Culture: Uzbek and Russian Literature” (connections and influences between Uzbek and Russian literature).
7. Jalilov, Sh. – “Erkin Vohidov: national and universal themes” (National and universal elements in the works of Vohidov).
8. Journal of Foreign Philology, 2007 - Poetry of Sergei Yesenin.
9. Khurshid Davron Library, 2024 - Sergei Yesenin: Poems.
10. Kh-davron.uz, 2024 - Sergei Yesenin. Poems & Persian Songs.
11. Samkhorfil.uz, 2021 - Sergei Yesenin’s work Uzbek periodical press and literary criticism.