When we hear the names of Russian literary figures, we often think of renowned names like Alexander Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, Maksim Gorky, and others. Similarly, when we hear the names of literary critics in Russia, we are familiar with names like Vissarion Belinsky and other prominent figures.
However, have we ever heard of Gabdulla Tukay? Gabdulla Mukhamedgarifovich Tukay (Габдулла Тукай) was an ethnic Tatar writer who, despite not being as famous as some of the world’s literary figures, played a significant role in Russian society, especially in the Tatarstan region. Moreover, he was a revolutionary Muslim, which adds an intriguing dimension to his story.
The name Gabdulla Tukay represents nearly all eras in the spiritual development of the Tatar community. His beautiful poems mostly narrate revolutionary spirit and nationalism towards his homeland. Thus, it’s fair to say that the man born on April 26, 1886, was a trailblazer in literary language in Tatarstan, comparable to Indonesia’s renowned poet of the ’45 Generation, Chairil Anwar.
Gabdulla Tukay was the son of a mullah (religious teacher) who became an orphan at a young age of four. This led Tukay to move among various relatives, shaping his identity as someone who loved adventure and new experiences.
Tukay received his education at the Mutygiya Madrasah (Tikhvatullins) in Uralsk, where he focused on studying the Russian language, showcasing exceptional talent at a young age. By the age of eighteen, he was entrusted with the responsibility of managing the New Age magazine, where he translated poetry manuscripts into the Tatar language. It was here that Tukay began to idolize poets like Alexander Pushkin and Mikhail Lermontov.
The year 1905 was pivotal for Tukay and his works. It was a time when the Tatar community rebelled against the Russian Empire’s attempts to expel them under the guise of border regulations. Tukay firmly expressed his rejection in his poem titled “Без Бармыйбыз” (We Will Not Leave), which inspired the surrounding community to unite in defense of their homeland. Since then, he steadfastly held onto his position, consistently addressing themes of national liberation in his works.
Active in mass movements, Tukay participated in demonstrations, delivering impassioned speeches, writing poetry and articles for newspapers, and fostering solidarity with fellow opposition movements across Russia. Tukay’s influence extended to Tatar publications like Fiker, Al-Ghasr al-Jadid, and Uklar, which began to emerge in Uralsk, featuring articles dominated by his writings.
In early 1907, during the revolution (the coup on June 3 in the Tatarstan region), Tukay left his madrasah to embrace a freer life. He became increasingly involved in revolutionary and patriotic movements, organizing masses and printing revolutionary articles while continuing to write poetry.
After the revolution, Tukay moved to Kazan. Despite his young age, he quickly found his niche, engaging with Kazan’s literary circles. In a short time, he became popular for his works and his down-to-earth demeanor. He started working for the Reforma newspaper, where his poems and articles often carried satirical and humorous themes. One of his phenomenal works during that time was the pieces titled Яшон (Thunder) and Зарница (Lightning).
Many of Gabdulla Tukay’s poems reflected his concern for his people, advocating for justice and supporting liberation movements. In 1911-1912, Tukay underwent a transformation, with his works returning to the rural setting of his childhood, Zakazanye, where he was born.
Gabdulla Tukay, whose poems were read by thousands, embarked on a journey along the Kazan-Ufa-Petersburg route. There, he met national literary figures like M Gafuri and M Vakhitov. After spending two weeks in St. Petersburg, Tukay returned to Kazan due to worsening health. Eventually, he breathed his last in April 1913, at the young age of 27. Newspapers across the country mourned the loss of this great poet. The Tatar people had lost a towering figure, their nation’s teacher and literary pioneer. Gabdulla Tukay was buried in Kazan, in the Tatar cemetery.
Gabdulla Tukay was a renowned writer, poet, critic, and translator of the Tatar language. He was someone who wasn’t easily swayed by trivial matters but harbored optimism for his grand ideas. Individuals like him rarely bring about change in their time, yet they have the potential to become stepping stones for others in altering the course of history.
Here’s one of Gabdulla Tukay’s Tatar poems, which has become a traditional song among the Tatar people:
«Туган тел»
И туган тел, и матур тел, әткәм-әнкәмнең теле!
Дөньяда күп нәрсә белдем син туган тел аркылы.
Иң элек бу тел белән әнкәм бишектә көйләгән,
Аннары төннәр буе әбкәм хикәят сөйләгән.
И туган тел! Һәрвакытта ярдәмең белән синең,
Кечкенәдән аңлашылган шатлыгым, кайгым минем
И туган тел! Синдә булган иң элек кыйлган догам:
Ярлыкагыл, дип, үзем һәм әткәм-әнкәмне, ходам!
1907, Габдулла Тукай.
Translated into Indonesian:
“Bahasa Ibu”
Tentang bahasa ibu, merdu, tentang ucapan lembut orang tua
Apa lagi di dunia yang aku ketahui, yang berhasil berhasil kujaga utuh?
Sembari menggoyang ayunan, ibuku bernyanyi lembut
Ketika tumbuh dewasa, aku mulai memahami kisah-kisah nenekku
Oh bahasa, kita adalah kawan, selamanya yang tak terpisahkan
Sejak kecil aku mengerti suka dan duka bersamamu
Oh bahasaku, betapa tulusnya aku berdoa untuk pertama kali:
“Tuhan,” bisikku, “kasihanilah ibu, ayah, kasihanilah kami”
1907- Gabdulla Tukay.
Translated into English:
“Native Tongue”
Oh native tongue, and mother tongue, the language of my ancestors!
So many things in the world I understand through you, my native language.
With this unique language, tales are told,
Stories of our ancestors are passed down.
Oh native tounge! You’re always by my side,
My joy, my sorrow, understood since childhood.
Oh native tongue! In you lies my deepest thoughts:
My prayers, my dreams, my words and songs.
1907, Gabdulla Tukay”.