18
O‘lmas Umarbekov
Textbook: pp. 80–82
GoalGet to know O‘lmas Umarbekov’s life and work.
New words
short story · hikoyanovella · qissadetective fiction · detektivPeople’s Writer · xalq yozuvchisi
Explanation
O‘lmas Umarbekov was born in Tashkent on 25 January 1934 and finished school with a gold medal. He entered literature with stories: his first story “Xatingni kutaman” was recognised in 1956 as the best story of the year. His novellas such as “Sevgim, sevgilim”, “Yoz yomg‘iri” (in a detective vein) and “Urush farzandi” are well known; “Qiyomat qarz” came out in a collection in 1976. He worked in radio, in the film studio and other bodies, received the title “People’s Writer of Uzbekistan” in 1992 and died on 10 November 1994.
Worked examples
Example: “Yoz yomg‘iri” is a detective tale: as the causes of a mysterious death are sought, the characters’ inner worlds unfold.
Example: “Sevgim, sevgilim” is a novella; “Xatingni kutaman” is a short story.
Class activity
Write one title each of a story and a novella by Umarbekov and say how they differ.
Practice
1
When was O‘lmas Umarbekov born?
On 25 January 1934.
2
Which was his first story?
“Xatingni kutaman” (1956).
3
What kind of novella is “Yoz yomg‘iri”?
A detective-type novella.
4
Why do Umarbekov’s heroes feel close to us?
Because they are ordinary people whose inner world he shows sincerely.