Aliaga Vahid Azerbaijani poet, Honored Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR Date of Birth: 17.02.1895 Country: Dive

1. Early Life and Influences
2. Early Poetry and Social Commentary
3. Revolutionary Zeal and Soviet Literature
4. Post-Revolution Contributions
5. Legacy as a Master of Ghazals
6. Passing and Legacy

Early Life and Influences

Aliaga Vahid, renowned Azeri poet, was born on February 18, 1895, in the Baku settlement of Masazyr. Despite being born into a carpenter's family, he began working as a laborer at a young age to assist his father.

Vahid received his early education at a madrasa, but discontinued his studies to join the literary circle "Majmaush-shuara." Here, he encountered prominent Baku poets such as Munir, Azar Imamaliev, and others, who inspired his first lyrical verses.

Early Poetry and Social Commentary

In his early satirical works, Vahid criticized societal flaws, superstitions, tyranny, and injustice. These pieces were published in his debut collection, "Tamahn nəticəsi" (The Result of Greed). Later, influenced by the writings of Fizuli and Seyid Azim, he began composing ghazals. His ghazals gained immense popularity, earning him the title "Ghazelkhan."

Revolutionary Zeal and Soviet Literature

Vahid embraced the October Revolution and the establishment of Soviet rule in Azerbaijan with great enthusiasm. His works actively promoted Soviet ideals, including "My Comrades - Workers and Soldiers," "What is School?", and "Soar, My Angel..."

In the early 1920s, Vahid crossed paths with the Russian poet Sergei Yesenin in Baku, where they developed a close friendship. This encounter is depicted in Huseyn Najaf's documentary "Balakhany May."

Post-Revolution Contributions

After the establishment of the Azerbaijan SSR, Vahid collaborated with the newspaper "Kommunist" and the satirical magazine "Molla Nasreddin." His collections "Couplets" (1924) and "Mollakhana" (1938) launched sharp satirical attacks against opponents of the new regime.

During the Great Patriotic War, Vahid's works, such as "Battle Ghazals" (1943) and "Ghazals" (1944), expressed his love for the Motherland, hatred for the enemy, and faith in victory.

Legacy as a Master of Ghazals

Aliaga Vahid emerged as a prominent exponent of the ghazal genre in Soviet literature, following in the footsteps of Fizuli. He also translated the ghazals of Nizami, Fizuli, Khaqani, and other Azeri poetry classics into Azerbaijani. Vahid is credited with establishing the modern genre of meykhana ghazals.

Passing and Legacy

Aliaga Vahid passed away on the night of September 30, 1965, in Baku and was laid to rest in the Alley of Honor. His legacy lives on through his enduring poetry, which continues to resonate with readers and inspire new generations of Azeri poets.