By: Fazilat Toshturdiyeva
Worth Noting:
- In her epic Portrait and Conversation, Saida Zunnunova paid tribute to devoted mothers and women of faith. The poem portrays the emotional turmoil of a mother who raised her son alone after losing her husband to war. Her mixed feelings of pride and sorrow on her son’s wedding night—joy for his success and grief for those who did not survive the war—capture the pain of an era.
- Like Zulfiya, Saida Zunnunova lost her husband early in life. She passed away in 1977, at the peak of her career, after battling a severe illness. Saida Zunnunova, a poetess of patience and resilience, holds a special place in the hearts of young readers with her heartfelt poems.
Saida Zunnunova was a renowned and talented Uzbek poetess, known for her perseverance and resilience as a creative individual. She advocated for the equal rights of Eastern women in society. Her poetry reflects the struggles of women during the complex period she lived in. Saida Zunnunova’s poetic influence is a vivid and authentic expression of that challenging era, resonating deeply with her contemporaries.
Saida Zunnunova, a prominent representative of the Uzbek nation and a notable public figure, was born in 1926 in Andijan to a working-class family. She lost her father at an early age. Between 1941 and 1943, she studied at Andijan Pedagogical Institute. Her first poem was published in 1945 in the newspaper Paxta Fronti (The Cotton Front). Saida Zunnunova married the famous writer Said Ahmad, who later faced false accusations and was imprisoned as an “enemy of the people.” During those difficult times, Saida Zunnunova became a source of strength and inspiration for him, helping him return to life and creativity.
Her poetry collections, such as Your Daughter Wrote (1948), New Poems (1950), The Valley of Flowers (1954), Dear Girls, and A Year’s Reflections (1950), were met with great enthusiasm by readers. In her poems, the hardships of the 20th century, the Second World War, and the impact of these events on people’s lives are vividly depicted. Her husband’s unjust imprisonment also served as a powerful theme in her work.
Saida Zunnunova explored the lives of Uzbek women, shedding light on their challenges and difficulties to draw public attention. She wrote stories and novellas on themes of family and love, such as Gulbahor (1956), Gulhan (1959), Fire (1962), and Wings (1961). Following in the footsteps of legendary female poets like Nodira, Uvaysiy, and Zulfiya, she emerged as a distinctive voice in Uzbek literature, gaining recognition in the mid-20th century for her meaningful poetry, stories, and unique epics.
In her epic Portrait and Conversation, Saida Zunnunova paid tribute to devoted mothers and women of faith. The poem portrays the emotional turmoil of a mother who raised her son alone after losing her husband to war. Her mixed feelings of pride and sorrow on her son’s wedding night—joy for his success and grief for those who did not survive the war—capture the pain of an era.
Like Zulfiya, Saida Zunnunova lost her husband early in life. She passed away in 1977, at the peak of her career, after battling a severe illness. Saida Zunnunova, a poetess of patience and resilience, holds a special place in the hearts of young readers with her heartfelt poems.
Discussion and Conclusions
In Uzbekistan, memorials have been erected in honor of Said Ahmad, the People’s Writer of Uzbekistan, and Saida Zunnunova. Statues of prominent figures such as Ozod Sharafiddinov, Erkin Vohidov, and Abdulla Oripov also stand in the commemorative park built in their memory.
Under the leadership of the first President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, significant attention and care were given to the fields of science, culture, and art. The services of remarkable figures who left an indelible mark on the nation’s history were recognized, and their legacies were preserved and celebrated.
The statue of Said Ahmad and Saida Zunnunova, a cultural heritage site, was inaugurated in 2015 in the Chilonzor district of Tashkent. Streets, schools, and a lyceum in Andijan and Bo’z district have also been named after Saida Zunnunova, ensuring her memory lives on.
Under the Leadership of Our First President Islam Karimov
Under the guidance of the first President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, reforms in all sectors of the country were implemented with consistency. A particular emphasis was placed on elevating the spirituality of the younger generation. The great care and attention given to literature, art, and culture, as well as the recognition of the contributions of creative intellectuals, serve as further proof of this commitment.
The first President acknowledged the noble traditions initiated by the great women of the East and enriched the 20th century by highlighting figures such as Saida Zunnunova. A talented poetess with exceptional patience and resilience, Zunnunova overcame all difficulties with grace. Her poems vividly reflect the spirit of her time, the resilience of women, and the virtues of patience.
Saida Zunnunova worked for Gulhan magazine, Uzbekistan Culture newspaper, and the Literary Publishing House. She also served as an advisor at the Uzbekistan Writers’ Union.
The Final Path
Steps, heavy and silent steps,
Bitter tears shielded by veils of eyes.
Who bids farewell on this final journey—
A colleague, a neighbor, or a kin?
Why do flowers seem so cold in essence,
Where is their beauty at the moment of union?
What season is nature in today?
No one notices, eyes fixed on the ground.
Let the sun hide for a moment,
Let colors fade for just an instant,
Let longing disappear for a brief breath,
Let steps feel like a burdensome load,
After all, a human departs from among us!
The silence of mourning weighs on hearts,
Hearts in torment, seemingly about to break.
But I wish, at this very moment,
Our hearts could answer themselves:
Did you ever offer flowers on a joyful day?
Did you listen to their sorrows while they lived?
If this question confronted our hearts,
Perhaps death would retreat far away.
People! Value one another,
Flames, love, and kindness are needed for the living.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Saida Zunnunova was a person of nobility, courage, and talent. Her lyrical works, filled with genuine feelings and respect for nature and humanity, resonate deeply with readers. Her poetry, imbued with new imagery and sincerity, occupies a special place in the hearts of readers, strengthening their faith in the future.
Fazilat Toshturdiyeva is a student of the Uzbek Language and Literature program at the Faculty of Languages, Termez State Pedagogical Institute. She is also a member of the “Mushoira” club.