P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Amirjonov, Sarvarjon
Tajik poet Sarvarjon Amirjonov, also referred to as Sarvar, was born
into a family of workers of the village of Eged of Qala'-i Khum on
November 12, 1938.
Amirjonov graduated from the Tajikistan State University in 1961.
From 1961 to 1966, he was the Literary Editor and Acting Editor of
Komsomoli Tojikiston. From 1984 to 1986, he was the Chief Editor of
Gazetei Muallimon.

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Iraj Bashiri

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Amirjonov's first poems were published towards the end of the

1950s. His contributions include the collections Bahor Mikhoham (I
Yearn for Spring, 1968) and La'l (Lapis-Lazuli, 1978).
The themes of Amirjonov's poetry include descriptions of nature,
patriotism, friendship, and man's high spirit. He is particularly known
for his couplets on ethical themes and love.
Amirjonov joined the Union of the Writers of the Soviet Union in
1984.
Amonov, Rajab
Tajik intellectual, author, and folklorist Rajab Amonov was born in
1923 in the city of Uroteppa into a family of shoemakers.
Amonov graduated from the Uroteppa Pedagogical Institute in 1937.
For a year, he served as a teacher. Then he joined the Dushanbe
Pedagogical Institute. However, he had to abandon this enterprise to
join the war effort. After returning from war, he got married and con-
tinued his education. Eventually, in 1947, he graduated from the
Dushanbe Pedagogical Institute. In the same year, he joined the Rudaki
Institute of Languages and Literatures as a Scientific Worker. From
1959 on, he served as the Director of its Folklore section. His
dissertation entitled Ocherke Ijodiyote Dahanakii Tojikoni Kulob (A
Study of the Oral Compositions of the Tajiks of Kulab), was accepted in
1953. In 1968, he received his doctorate degree and in 1970 he became
a professor. In 1981, he became an Associate Member of the Academy
of Sciences of Tajikistan.
Amonov's first work, entitled "Ey Oktiyobri A'zam" ("O Great
October!") was published in 1947. This was followed by the publica-
tion of "Zindagi" ("Life"), "Du Qatrai Ashk" ("Two Teardrops"),
"Hunar" ("Art"), and "Shurazamin" ("Salty Land"), all of which were
published in the journals Sharqi Surkh and Literaturni Tojikiston. His
first novel, entitled Dar Domoni Kuhi Kabud (On the Slope of the
Black Mountain) was published in 1961. This work was translated into
Russian in 1964.
Amonov's major contribution is Kuliyoti Folklori Tojik (Collected
Works on Tajik Folklore), a compilation in thirty-five volumes, dealing
with all aspects of Tajik folklore. A considerable number of scholars,
artists, and researchers contributed to Rajab Amonov's project.

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