Literature and Politics in Early Soviet Central Asia: Case Study of Sadriddin Aini’s Two Works.

What is it about?

This article discusses the relationship between literature and politics in the works of Sadriddin Aini, a prominent Soviet Tajik writer (1878–1954), who is often called the founding father of modern Tajik literature. This article begins with the analysis of the political context in the Central Asian region during that period and then discusses general directions of the early Soviet cultural policies, as well as certain biographical details of Aini’s life. By comparing the literary methods Aini used in 'Odina' and 'Margi sudkhūr', this article explores the development of his literary ideas with regards to his evolving relationship with the Soviet government and with the ideas of Socialist realism.

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Photo by Antonio Scalogna on Unsplash

Photo by Antonio Scalogna on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Soviet Tajik Persian literature remains largely understudied in the West, and this article aims to fill in this gap. In addition, as John and Carol Garrard note in the preface to their book 'Inside the Soviet Writers’ Union', when talking about the Soviet authors, scholars 'are much less concerned with text than with context, that is, the social, economic, and political environment in which the writer must function'. In the case of Aini, I argue, while the changing social and political background had an undeniable influence on his writings, he nevertheless always found a way to reflect on his own ideas and life experiences too.