P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Iraj Bashiri

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("Width," 1981), "Sitorai Ulughbeg" ("The Star of Ulughbeg," 1981),

"Langar" ("Anchor," 1984), "Soyai Tut" ("The Shadow of the Mulberry
Tree," 1985), "Pai Daryo" ("At the Sea," 1986), "Chashmi Nigin"
("Nigin's Eye," 1988), "Takhti Rustam" ("The Throne of Rustam,"
1990), and "Tabkhola" ("Fever Blister," 1992).
Kaldiev's language is simple and he composes in du-baitis (cou-
plets). His poetry has contributed a great deal to the enhancement of the
works of the poets before him. His inclusion of a philosophic aspect to
his couplets sets them apart from others.
Keldiev deals with the themes of patriotism, especially the goals of
Lenin, as well as with the praise of mother, love, and nature. His
"Askari Nobina" ("Blind Soldier") and "Takhti Rustam" ("The Throne
of Rustam") exemplify these aspects of his poetry. In "Savdoi Zindagi"
("Zest for Life," 1972), for instance, he depicts Soviet life during World
War II in a most realistic form. "Pai Daryo" ("At the Sea," 1986), simi-
larly deals with the simple life of the Soviets during the war.
Keldiev joined the Union of Writers of Tajikistan in 1973. He is the
winner of the Rudaki and Tursunzoda Literary Prizes, as well as being a
People's Poet of Tajikistan.
Keldiev has traveled to Poland, Yugoslavia, and many of the Repub-
lics of the former Soviet Union
Kenjaev, Safarali
Tajik lawyer and politician Safarali Kenjaev was born in 1942 to a
Tajik family of farmers in the village of Choryakkoron, Ispichek Qish-
loq, Pobeida Khojagi, Lenin District. In 1933, his family moved from
the Tagob (Aini District) to Hissar. He was brought up and educated by
his father, Kenja Rajabov, and his mother, Qimat Sharifova. His mother
died in 1957 and his father in 1967. He attended school both in
Choryakkoron and Ispichek. At age 15, he joined the kolkhoz system as
a worker and received a salary. In 1960, after finishing high school, he
entered Tajikistan State University.
Kenjaev began his political career as the regional Attorney General
for Central Asian transport. On November 24, 1992, at the same time
that Rahmon Nabiev was elected on the first ballot as President with
(58% of the vote), Safarali Kenjaev (popularly known to be a Yagh-
nobi) was elected from among three contestants as the Leader of the

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