Qol Ghali

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Qol Ghali (Tatar Cyrillic: Кол Гали, Latin: Qol Ğäli, Chuvash: Кул Али, Russian: Кул Гали, Kul Gali; circa 1183-1236) was a famous Muslim Volga Bulgar poet, the founder of medieval Tatar literature. His most famous poem is Qíssai Yosıf (Tale of Yusuf) written in mediæval Turkic literature language.

It is believed, that he was born in what is today Eastern Tatarstan. He studied in Khwarezmean madrassah. He wrote his immortal poem in 1233. In 1236 we was probably killed during the Mongol invasion of Volga Bulgaria.^[1]

[edit] Legacy

His poems are celebrated by Tatar people and Chuvash people. His most famous poem is Qíssai Yosıf (Tale of Yusuf) written in mediæval Turkic literature language, which is not mutually intelligible with modern Tatar and Chuvash languages, however, related to the literary language of Turkic Muslims, used until the 20th century among educated persons.

The poem is inspirited by Biblical-Qur'anical legends about Joseph. The poem is devoted to the struggle against an evil and for the human happiness. The poem took a major role in the Muslim Volga Bulgar and later Tatar culture. More that 200 manuscripts were found among the Tatars. The first time the poem was prepared for publishing by poet Utız İmäni and printed in 1839 by Räxmätulla Ämirxanov. Since that it was 80 times republished.^[2]

[edit] Qol Ghali award

The Qol Ghali International Award is named after Qol Ghali. It is given to recognize excellence in literature and poetry. The award was established in 1992. ^[2]

[edit] References