The directory «Plots»

Kamal Sharif (Камал Шариф)
(1884—1942)

Sharif Kamal (his real surname was Baigildiev) was born on 27 February 1884 in Tatar village Pishla of Insar area of Penza province.

Until 1900 he had studied in religious rural school (medresse). Then until 1903 he studied in Turkey. Lack of money made it impossible for him to continue the education. He returned home via Egipt, mines of Donbass, fisherman communities of Caspian Sea, Odessa, Crimea and Caucasus. Until 1905 he had been a teacher and also worked to Publishing Office of "Nur" ("Beam") newspaper in St.Petersburg. Since 1907 to 1910 he had worked as a teacher in native village, then he moved to Orenburg. There until 1919 he had worked to "Shura"("Council") magazine and several newspapers, among them there was "Vakiit" ("Time") newspaper.

Since 1920 to 1921 Sharif Kamal had participated in organization of the first rural Communist communities in Chebenki village in Orenburg region. Then until 1924 he had worked to different Administrative Departments in Orenburg. He was an Editor to "Jul" ("The way") newspaper.

Since autumn 1925 he had lived in Kazan. He worked to Publishing Office of "Kyzil Tatarstan" ("Red Tatarstan") newspaper. In 1928 he was a Scientific Secretary to the House of Tatar Culture. Since 1929 to 1932 he had worked to Glavlit (Central Literary Department). Since 1933 to 1935 he had been a Manager to Literary Department in Tatar National Theatre named after Galiaskar Kamal. Since 1935 he had become a professional writer.

His first steps in literature dated back to 1905. In "Nur" newspaper were published his first poems and articles devoted to the struggle for the rights of poor people. In 1906 his first collection of poems "The voice" was published. His novel "Awaken", where Sh.Kamal rouse up the problem of women emancipation was published in "Nur" magazine in 1907. His novels are very informative, but laconic. They are characterized by precise details and full of lyrics. Reading it one can see the positive influence of A.Chekhov and A.Gorky to some extent. He was among the first writers in Tatar literature, who described life of poor working people: mines, fishermen and seasonal workers in his books. In his narration "Akcharlaklar" ("Seagulls" 1914), which was written on the basis of his autobiography, was reflected the life of Caspian fishermen. Sh.Kamal showed the true physichological picture of inside world of poor working people; he was the first one, who gave the criteria of description of poor people spirit in Tatar literature for the next decades.

Sharif Kamal thought the October Socialist Revolution of 1917 was the beginning of new era, which brought the real freedom to poor working people, whom he devoted all his creativity to. Later his creativity was characterized by his aim to enlarge the scales of reality. In order to give the idea of the large social changes he had chosen brief literary forms. In his novel "At the dawn" (1927) he had traced the life of his characters during the time of key historical changes, social changes, caused by the Revolution. At the end of 30-ties the writer decided to create large literary cycle of many volumes, but his grand idea was partly realized. In 1937 his novel about the village "When beautiful things are born" was published. He planned this novel to be the first book of his literary cycle. It was to show complex and contradictory process of social changes in the village. The second book of the cycle "The confident steps" remained unfinished.

In the same years Kamal worked fruitfully as a playwright. He created such plays as: "Fire" (1928), "In the crow nest" (1929), "Mountains" (1932), "Gabbas Gallin" (1934). The features of Kamal's plays are the distinct characters, lifelike situations and great emotional strength. From the beginning of Second World War the publicistics became the main part of Kamal's creativity.

The name of Sharif Kamal is closely connected with the beginning of realism in Tatar literature at the beginning of 20th century. He consolidated the traditions of humanism and respect to working people. He is especially honored as novelist, who had created the classical samples of this genre. In 1940 Sharif Kamal was awarded with the Order of Lenin. The writer died on 12 December 1942. He was buried in Kazan Cemetery in New Tatar district.

Russia, 2008, Kamal Sharif