The correspondent of Turmush met with him to learn more about his life and creativity, which are remarkably intertwined.
Kerimov was born in 1970 in the village of Cholok-Kaiyn, where he completed his education at a secondary school. Throughout his career, he has written two poetry collections: "Echo of the Soul" ("Jan düynö zhanırygy") and "White Light in the Distance" ("Alystagy ak zharik"). His wife works as a teacher at the Itikula Moldobaev school in the village of Jerge-Tal, and Murazbek is a proud father of four children — one son and three daughters.
The poet believes that poetry is something sacred. "When I manage to capture a beautiful thought or convey the beauty of the surrounding world in lines, it brings indescribable pleasure," he shares.
Murazbek's creative journey began in his school years when he wrote notes for wall newspapers. In his childhood, he was passionately immersed in fiction. According to him, inspiration always accompanies him in life.
Many of his poems are written at the request of friends or as part of assignments from the literary association "Poetry Ordusu," of which he is a member. "In our association, new themes are proposed every day, and everyone tries to show their creativity. Clara Niyazova, the head of the association and a member of the Writers' Union of the Kyrgyz Republic, played a significant role in my development as a poet," he notes.
The main theme of his works is the beauty of his native land, but his creativity also includes love lyrics, philosophical reflections, and instructive poems.
Last year, Murazbek decided to try his hand at prose. "How readers will perceive my stories is up to them. In the next collection, I plan to present not only stories but also 'akyinek' — humorous exchanges in verse. My wife, who works as a primary school teacher, inspired me, and at her request, I wrote many 'akyinek,' which have already formed a whole book," he shares.
Murazbek takes a critical approach to his work. "Not everything I have written can be called great poetry. There are things I like, and there are those I don't. But if at least one poem out of ten makes someone think, then I have not invested in literature in vain," he shares.
According to him, authors from rural areas face serious difficulties in publishing their books. "Selling books is difficult, especially if you are known only in your village. But fortunately, my fellow villagers support me and buy books from me at home. My neighbors helped me publish my first book, and my son financed the second," says Kerimov.
Despite the modest living conditions in the village, his talent has been recognized at a high level:
- commemorative medal from the "Alykul Osmonov" foundation for the 110th anniversary of the great poet;
- "Altyn Kalem" 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 him to be versatile: he does not limit himself to poetry but also engages in livestock farming, blacksmithing, welding at construction sites, and repairing car tires.
"We try to realize ourselves in different directions. If there is an order, I am ready to do everything: doors, gates, trailers for cars. Our village has a small population, so there is less work than free time, but we do not sit idle," Murazbek explains.
He recalls an incident from his school years when a teacher gave him a "C" in the Kyrgyz language. "My classmate Almabek, who studied excellently, was outraged and said, 'If Murazbek gets a C, then give us all F's.' In the end, thanks to him, my grade was changed to a 'B'," the poet shares.
In 1991, he accidentally met the great poet Baidildy Sarnygaev in Bishkek, near the Osh market. Sarnygaev, surrounded by people, was composing poetry on the go. "There was a man from Jumgal, who was said to be someone Baidildy even feared in poetic duels. Sarnygaev jokingly challenged him, and he responded in verse. It was an amazing encounter," recalls Murazbek Kerimov.
OH, LIVING BEINGS!
Oh, living beings! Take care of each other,
Oh, living beings! Do not betray each other!
Regretting not to be in line,
Value your loved ones in this world!
Oh, living beings! 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 message that will reach the earth.
__________
They lived for their children, my dear ones,
Being a child is both joy and suffering.
The love you dedicate to your child,
They gave to you without any lack.
They looked to ensure you were not lacking,
How many shoes their feet have torn.
They thought of educating their child,
Not realizing that he was not there.
Those who brought you to adulthood,
May they never be sad.
While you have your parents' eyes,
That blessing will be a reason for your flight!
THOUGHTS AFTER THE WEDDING
I went to the in-laws,
I brought a piece of meat!
By the time I arrived, it had spoiled,
I brought it wrapped in trash!
__________
Ten times they fed me,
They let me into ten homes.
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 showed their strength,
Even here they made it known.
__________
There was no meat in the pot,
The slaughter was just a cover.
It was a horse like a mountain,
Its thirty ribs barely fit.
__________
After such a feast,
All kinds of gossip arise.
The waste of the feast,
Will be wrapped in a sack.
__________
The meat thrown away,
Is it not waste!
It exceeded a million,
When measured in soms!
__________
We boast about our wealth,
We say we slaughtered a lot of livestock.
No one has reached it,
We say we set a record!
__________
If we waste a little less,
What would be the harm!
If we give four-fifths of the expenses,
What would be the harm to the children!
__________
As the era develops,
Knowledge rises higher.
But we still hold feasts,
Like in the nineteenth century.
__________
Without reducing our expenses,
We are increasing them.
For twenty people,
We will slaughter twenty animals!
__________
When I call my in-laws,
What will I do now?
I cannot imagine,
How I will feed them ten times!
