Naki Isanbet and Tatar drama

Abstract

The article evaluates the contribution that the famous Tatar scientist, poet, playwright, folklorist, translator and publicist Naki Isanbet made to the development of Tatar drama. N. Isanbet began his literary career in drama in the early 20th century and was active in his creative work until the 1970s. More than thirty plays, that fell from his pen, were staged during this period. The writer’s plays reflect important events of the era, instructive pages of history, so they are perceived as a literary chronicle of the Tatar people’s history. This work defines the stages of N. Isanbet’s creative development and their features. The writer became famous as a playwright in the 1920s. In the plays written during these years, he exposed the phenomenon of bureaucracy and manifested foresight of what was to come, along with a mocking description of the lives of those who were formerly rich and belonged to the clergy, those who got lost in the era of revolutions. In the subsequent period, there was a sharp twist in N. Isanbet’s work, he turned to literary images of historical figures and the rich heritage accumulated in oral folk art. Remaining faithful to them throughout his creative life, the writer posed important social questions to his readers-viewers, so his plays occupied a worthy place in the repertoire of theatres. Thus, he managed to create “the Naki Isanbet Theatre”. Many of his plays have been staged in modem Tatar theatres, which allows us to conclude that having successfully passed the test of time, the writer’s works are still relevant.