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Meykhana
Meykhana is considered to be one of the most ancient
genres in the oral folk creativity of Azerbaijan nation.
Hundreds of years ago meykhana appeared in the villages
situated near to Baku and gradually spread to the
Absheron peninsula and to the Southern Azerbaijan. The
poets of meykhana art, who had irreplaceable talent and
inexhaustible word stock, performed meykhana. The most
interesting thing is that, they improvised irreplaceable
poems just during the singing, without any preparation
or correction. Usually they performed meykhana at
weddings and other places; their glory passed from mouth
to mouth and reached our days.
Such poets, as Mirza Bagir, Bekmamed Babir, Aghahuseyn,
Vahid, Aghasalim and their present-day followers had
proved and prove the uniqueness of their art.
During 1880-1915 in Baku flourished the literary society
named “Мяъмя цш-шцяра” (The society of poets), which had
very famous and talented poets of that time as its
members.
Those who call the meykhana “the miracle of literary
verse” would be absolutely right.
This genre is built on the “яруз” {яeruz} rhyme (this
type of rhyme was taken from Arabic literature, used in
Koran) and also on the full rhyme. But also the rhyme is
completed by the form and the content of meykhana;
depending from this meykhana can be critical,
philosophical, didactical etc.
Usually meykhana is performed by 2 singers (they are
also poets) in the form of dialogue, but it can also be
performed by a group of poets.
It should be noted that the Soviet Government forbade
the performance of meykhana at weddings, national mobs
and other places. This was the reason for the cooling of
people’s interest in meykhana. But after the
disintegration of the Soviet Union this prohibition was
lifted and now this peculiar genre of oral folk art is
able to develop further.
Mirza Bagir (1810-1882)- Born and died in Baku, one of
the most famous and strongest literary masters of
meykhana of XIX century. Also famous as an expert of
classical literature, the science of the East and a
talented painter. An active member of the society “Мяъмя
цш-шцяра” (The society of poets).
Vakhid Aliagha Mamedgulu oghlu- Was born in the village
Masazir nearby Baku and died in 1965. He was famous as
poet who wrote gazels and as a skillful meykhana
performer. He wrote poems from his youth, and later was
the member of “Мяъмя цш-шцяра” (The society of poets).
Being the master of creation of satirical poems he also
brought some new elements to the performance of the
meykhana (mainly satirical elements). Also he wrote
lyrical poems and gazels.
Khakim Gani (Guseynov Gani Huseyngulu oghlu) –was born
in 1920 in Baku. He is considered to be the most
splendid and talented present- day performer of meykhana.
He likes more the genre of gazels, moreover he is the
significant scientist the field of Fizuli’s works.
Salimov
Aghasalim Ali oghlu- was born in 1930 in the Mashtagha
village near Baku. He is the performer of such meykhana
schools as the school of Atababa Hijry, Aliagha Vahid
and Aghahuseyn. In present days he is considered to be
one of the most splendid performers of meykhana. |
