Today is the birthday of the enlightened poet Avaz O‘tar

Born in 1884 in Khiva to a craftsman’s family, Avaz O‘tar holds a special place in the history of Uzbek literature as a prominent representative of the enlightenment movement. Interested in creativity from an early age, he began writing poetry at the age of 14 and, by 18, had gained recognition among the people as a poet. His ghazals and lyrical poems became folk songs and spread widely.

Avaz O‘tar’s fame reached the court of the Khiva Khanate. Muhammad Rahim Khan II (Feruz), who oversaw the court’s literary life, invited him to the palace. However, the poet could not adapt to the courtly environment and chose the path of free creativity.

He composed in the genres of ghazal, mukhammas, and rubai, promoting ideas of struggle against ignorance, the advancement of knowledge and enlightenment, and the elevation of national consciousness. His poetry was closely connected with the socio-political life of Khorezm at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is implementing a media project titled “Avaz O‘tar – Uzbek enlightenment poet”. Within the framework of this project, his poetic heritage will be studied academically, multimedia materials, interactive exhibitions, and visual presentations will be prepared, and Avaz O‘tar’s enlightenment ideas will be conveyed to modern audiences in a new format.