P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Prominent Tajik Figures of the Twentieth Century

125
Isomatov is the recipient of the Order of Sharaf (1999), the Order of

Ismoili Somoni (1998), the Union of Journalists Prize (1999), and Dis-
tinguished Contributor to Education in Tajikistan (1998).
Isomatov has traveled to Iran and Russia.
Istadov, Adash
Tajik science fiction writer Adash Istadov, also referred to as Adash
Istad, was born into a family of workers in the village of Urtashik of
Samarqand on September 7, 1946. After graduating from Samarqand
State University (1969), he served as the literary manager of Komsomoli
Tojikiston (1969-1973), and as the Secretary of the State Committee for
Radio and Television of Tajikistan (1973-81). In 1981, he became the
artistic Editor of the journals Adabiyot va San'at and Madaniyati Toji-
kiston. In recent years, Istadov has been a local correspondent for the
Tajik Services of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Istadov's creative period begins in the mid-1960s, with publications
in the field of science fiction. His works in this field include the collec-
tion Mavji Khiolot ( The Wave of Imagination, 1970). His other collec-
tions include Surudi Oftob (The Hymn of the Sun, 1971), Zamon (Time,
1978), Zamir (Memory, 1978), Darakhti Pakhtachormaghz (The Cot-
ton-Walnut Tree, 1981), Parvozi Mi'mor (The Flight of the Architect,
1985), and Ba'd az Hazor Sol (After a Thousand Years, 1986). The
themes of Istadov's collections of short stories are complex. They deal
with man's future problems, including the clash of science and technol-
ogy with social order and ethics.
Istadov is interested in the heritage of the Tajiks as well. In addition
to Hakoyaho az Ruzgori Borbad (Stories from the Time of Borbad,
1990), he has written four other stories on the same traditional theme.
He joined the Union of Writers of the Soviet Union in 1979.

---

126
J