The biography
Was born in Chingizsky mountains of Semipalatinsk area in a family of large feudal lord Kunanbaja Uskenbaeva. The family of Abaja was hereditary aristocratic, both the grandfather (Оскенбай) and the great-grandfather (Иргизбай) predominated in the sort as governors and биев.
Ahmet-cope in Semipalatinsk studied in медресе mullahs and simultaneously attended Russian school.
Formation of outlook of Abaja was influenced by poets and the scientists of the East adhering to humanistic ideas (Firdousi, Alisher Navoi, Bottoms, Fizuli, Ibn Sina and others), and also products of Russian classics, and through them and the European literature in general. It translated I.A.Krylov's fables, A.S.Pushkin's M.Ju.Lermontov, "Evgenie Onegina's" verses, Goethe and Byron's verses.
The poem history «Қараңғы түнде тау қалғып» is rather interesting. Johann Wolfgang Goethe has written «Wanderers Nachtlied», Michael Jurevich Lermontov has gracefully shifted it on Russian, and after even half a century the son of the Kazakh steppes Abaj Kunanbaev will recreate it not less gracefully in the Kazakh language.
Abaj Kunanbaev promoted distribution of Russian culture among Kazakhs. Subsequently to its example Turar Ryskulov has followed. He called: «to Know Russian — means to open eyes on the world», «Russian science and culture — a key to judgement of the world and, having got it, it is possible to facilitate life of our people much more. For example, we would learn different, but at the same time fair ways of getting of means of living and would edify on this way of children, struggled for position of our people equal in rights among other people of the Earth» more successfully.
Some time of Abaj worked as the volost manager. However shortly, having been disappointed in the ability to use a post for the public good, has left it.
Abai derided some customs of a patrimonial aul, opposed slavish position of the woman in a valley. Opposed social harm and ignorance. Satirical verses «At last, volost I became …» (1889), «the Manager is glad to the heads …» (1889), "Kulembaju" (1888) are filled by social status criticism in the Kazakh tribes. Abaj Kunanbaev was the innovator of the Kazakh poetry: it has entered such poetic forms as new шестистишья and восьмистишья; innovative character is carried by the verses devoted to seasons: "Spring" (1890), "Summer" (1886), "Autumn" (1889), "Winter" (1888), verses on poetry appointment. Plots of poems "Masgud" (1887) and «the Legend on Azime» are based on motives of east classical literature. In a poem "Iskander" the poet opposes reason in the name of Aristotle to avidity of the conqueror (Alexander the Great).
But Abaj as the master of thoughts, causes wild envy, the mad animosity of enemies shown in the most artful forms. Last strokes of bad luck are connected with death of his sons of Abdrahmana and Magavi. Suppressed Abaj has rejected treatment of an illness and has voluntary doomed itself to death. He is buried about the wintering in a valley of Zhidebaj, near to Chingizsky mountains, on 60th year of life.
In the history of the Kazakh literature of Abaj has occupied a place of honor, having enriched Kazakh стихосложение in the new sizes and rhymes. It has entered new poetic forms: восьмистишья, шестистишья and others.
Abai it is created about 170 poems and 56 transfers, poems, «edification Words» («Қара сөздер») are written.
Аbai was also the talented and original composer. By it it is created about two tens melodies which are popular today. Some lyrical verses of Abaj Kunanbaev has set to music, and the song on its verses «Көзімн і ң қарасы» («You a pupil of my eyes», M.Petrovyh's transfer) became national.
Heads of movement the Alash-horde perceived Abaja as the spiritual forerunner, as spiritual leader of revival of the Kazakh nation. Alihan Bukejhanov became the first biographer Abaja. Its article «(Ибрагим) Kunanbaev» — the obituary of the Kazakh national poet in connection with the characteristic of its creativity has been printed by Abaj in the newspaper «Semipalatinsk leaf» in 1905. Then with a portrait of Abaja it was printed in magazine «Note of Semipalatinsk section of the Western-Siberian department of the Imperial Russian geographical society» in 1907.
In 1914 V.V.Gordlevsky as prominent representatives of the Kazakh literature has chosen Abaja Kunanbaeva and Mirzhakipa Dulatova for the publication of their products in «East collection», let out in honor of the 70 anniversary of the known orientalist, academician N.I.Veselovsky.
