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Modern Mari Literature Due to the peculiarity of the historical way of the Mari people, because of the economic and ethnic traditions in modern national prose, the problem of relationships between man and land has occupied the central place. Almost all current novels and stories are based on the conflict connected with rural life. The authors write about the necessity to preserve and strengthen the feeling of respect towards our land, towards the farmer’s labour; they try to prove that protection of environment as the most valuable thing is a must nowadays. Active interference into life, the desire to reflect everything new that has appeared in modern epoch is felt in the novel “Late Dawn” (1983) by V. Yuksern. The main character in the book is a journalist Dmitry Lashmanov. His private life is dramatic, his wish to be faithful to social goals and ideals give him extra strength in coping with different obstacles. The confluence of heterogeneous art elements – fabulous, folk, realistic – characterizes the creative works of V. Ivanov who made significant contribution to the native literature. His novel “Girl-friends” (1960) can be called a story about a young dairymaid Tanya Chendemerova by name: all the plot collisions are connected with her actions and tricks. The conflict of the novel lies in her inner sufferings, in her ideas about life and the collisions of these ideas with real life. In stories and short stories written by V. Kosorotov (1930-1974) the burning problems of modern social life found their reflection. The collection of his stories under the title “Nadezhda” (“Hope”) (1980) testifies to this fact. In this book we can clearly see the definite author’s conception of a personality. V. Kosorootv tries to learn the development of the social psychology of farmers, village dwellers by applying to the past, by depicting the life scenes of post-war village. His attention is focused on the inner world of the common people. He concentrates his attention on the ethic ideals which help people to overcome hardships. It is especially obvious in the story “Steep Mountain Passes” (1970) which, according to the author’s plan, had to become the first part of a large novel about a modern village. All the works by Yury Artamonov (born in 1938) are distinguished by psychological exposure of a human nature, by vivid language and bright national colouring. Among his works we can mention “The Soviet Soldier” (1962), “The Star Lake” (1972), “When the Skylarks Sing” (1980) and others. The author discusses with the reader a wide range of problems. In his novels Yury Artamonov depicts the image of his “small Motherland” in a poetic and colourful way. The Mari writer is looking for the sources of the life philosophy of his characters in national traditions, in folk moral laws. His heroes revere their family house which symbolizes the succession of many generations, unbreakable kind memory of people. The new type of epic understanding of the spiritual development of the Mari people is clearly seen in the novels of A. Yuzykain. A. Yuzykain (born in 1929) began his literary career with the interpretation of the Mari legends and ballads (“Yambatyr”, 1955; “At the Road crossing”, 1956). He found his calling in epic prose. He became the author of well-known novels “The Bear’s Den” (1971), “The Fire” (1978). In the novel “The Bear’s Den” as the plot base is the process of the development of industry in the Mari land. The main character of the novel “Fire” – Ivan Vashtarov – took part in the First World War, Civil War and became the convinced fighter for socialist ideals. In 1974 Yuksern wrote a documentary story “The Waters flow, the Banks remain still”. This biographical work is devoted to the first Mari Academician V.P. Mosolov; the story also deals with the historic events which took place in the Mari land in 1905-1907. The heroic pages of the Great patriotic war will never disappear from our memory. It is still the inexhaustible source of the writers’ thoughts. Such stories and novels as “The Storm” (1965) by V. Ivanov, “Through fire and water” (1976) by A. Bik, “The black night owl” (1979) by A. Timofeev, “Honey Meadow” (1974) by P. Kornilov bring back the tragic events of the war, tell the Mari readers about those severe times. In modern Mari prose weighty phenomenon is autobiographical prose – diaries, memoirs, thoughts of writers, public figures, workers of culture about current problems of social development, preservation of cultural traditions and customs. Essays by M. Sergeev, K. Sanukov, M. Isimetov contain rich material about the historical past of the Mari people, outstanding people of the Mari land. In the best samples of the Mari literature we can observe the desire to restore the image of the “hero of our time”, to reflect truthfully the main tendencies of the progressive movement of the epoch.
Ex. 3. Read the text. Use the words given at the end of each line to form a word that fits the space.
Ex. 4. Read the text and do the tasks after it Together with you, the Russian People (after Kim Vasin) The sky is clear: no cloud is seen. The afternoon sun is pouring on the Earth. No breathing of a cool wind even from the ravine nearby. Only under the shelter of the trees in the wood which is standing like a dark wall in the distance you can have a rest from the heat. Above the ravine near the edge of the forest is moving a lonely figure. It is a young boy who is ploughing in the field. His face is red and tired, his flax shirt is wet through from sweat. The boy is working hard. Here used to be a forest and still the soil is full of the remained roots. The field belongs to a well-to-do Mari landowner Yantemir by name. The boy (his name is Erpatyr) works here in order to make up for his debts. Erpatyr is an orphan. His father was sold into slavery by the Khan’s warriors. Two years later his grandpa was killed. Then his mum died from an awful disease, as well as his younger brothers and sisters. So from the large family only he survived. Those sad events changed the course of his life. It was his 15-th birthday. Almost for two years he has been working out his father’s debt. From an awkward teenager he has turned into a slender handsome fellow. In spite of all difficulties he has grown up and has become strong. He has brown hair and eyes, and his olive skin darkened to a deep tan by August. Erpatyr stops wiping the drops of sweat from his forehead. Though it’s already autumn, the sun is scorching. It looks as if summer is trying to win back a couple of sunny days. Erpatyr looks around. On the one hand – a thick forest. The leaves of the trees are just beginning their slow turn toward the colour of fire; the air is perfumed with the scent of earth and pine. On the other hand – young birch- trees are standing merrily like the naughty girls. And at the bottom of the ravine is purling a stream. “Well, it’s so nice to have a swim”, thinks the boy. But he can’t leave his work even for a minute. If he doesn’t plough the field before the sunset, he will be punished by the master. He won’t be able to avoid his whip. The boy gives a deep sigh and goes on working. He tries not to think about the crystal clean water but it is beyond his power. The decision is more spontaneous than planned. He can’t resist the temptation any more and is rushing towards the stream. He is running down the steep hill. Here is the desired relief! He is kneeling on the wet cold sand and with his dry lips he starts gulping down the icy cold transparent water.
Ex. 5. Read the text and do the tasks after it. Vasily Yuksern: life and creativity Vasily Yuksern (Stolyarov Vasily Stepanovich) was born on 13 January 1918 in the family of a poor peasant in the village of Chigashevo in Medvedevsky region of the Mari Republic. After finishing the primary school in his village he studied at school in Yoshkar-Ola. In 1936 he entered the Mari Pedagogical Institute. He took part in the Great patriotic war and was awarded with the medal “For Military Valour”. His literary work he began before the war in the late 1930-s. At first he tried himself as a translator. He translated the novel “Born by the storm” by N. Ostrovsky into the Mari language. Later he became a literary critic. In 1949 he published his adventure book for children “Atamanych”. It was translated not only into Russian but also into the Ukrainian and the Uzbek languages. His next books “Before the dawn”, “Once lived 2 friends”, “They will remain alive forever” are also about the events of the Great patriotic war. Using the Mari legends and tales he created the stories “Onar”, “Chotkar”, “Pakalde”. They were translated into different languages of our country and into the Hungarian language.
Ex. 6. Read the text and do the tasks after it. Hunter Saigelde (after V. Yuksern) Once there lived a bear. He liked honey very much and he often had a sweet dinner near the bees’ house. But then everything changed. He couldn’t find any honey – somebody had eaten it before him. The bear was angry and decided to catch the thief. He hid himself behind the trees and began to wait. Soon he saw a man. It was a hunter, Saigelde by name. He was going to take all the honey again. But the bear grabbed him and tied to the tree. The bear ate all the honey and ran away. He forgot about the hunter. At first the man was happy that he was alive but then he got depressed. He couldn’t move. It was very hot. 2 days passed. But the hunter was still tied up to the tree. Suddenly he saw a squirrel. The man asked her to help him and to tell his daughter about the disaster. The squirrel agreed but mother-squirrel didn’t let her do it. “He is a hunter. It may be he who killed your father. Don’t help him”, - said mother-squirrel. Two more days passed. Saigelde was hungry and thirsty. He was going to die. But suddenly he saw a little hare. The man asked the hare for help and the hare agreed. The hare ran to the village but saw a dog, got afraid and ran away. The new day came. But poor Saigelde was more dead than alive. The black raven was flying above him waiting for the prey. But here came an otter. The hunter asked her to help him. She agreed but asked the man to promise not to kill the animals in the forest anymore. The hunter did it and the otter bit the rope with her sharp teeth. Since that time the otter has been a sacred animal and the Mari people keep her safe, make special holidays for her giving the otter fresh bread and honey. I remembered this legend when I came to the village of Komino not far from Yoshkar-Ola. The name of the village means “otter” in the Mari language. Perhaps the village was called so in memory of the hunter Saigelde and his rescuer – the otter.
a. ограбил b. схватил c. толкнул 2. got depressed
3. prey a. еда b. обед c. добыча 4. sharp a.острые b. крепкие c. белые 5. rescuer a.помощник b. спаситель c.друг
Ex. 7. Read the text and do the tasks after it. Chotkar – the Mari warrior (after V. Yuksern) Once there lived in a small Mari village a poor hunter Shumat by name. He had a son Chotkar. He was an unusual child. He grew very quickly. He was very strong. Nobody could win him. So people called him Chotkar-the warrior (Chotkar-Patyr). He liked his people and did a lot for it. When Chotkar grew old and ill he asked to bury him on the high bank of the Volga-river. But he said in his last speech: “My dear friends! If you are in a trouble come to me and shout: “Chotkar, help us! And I will wake up and help you. But remember: I can do it only once!” The years passed. The enemies of the Mari people wanted to conquer them but they were afraid of Chotkar. Then they bribed one silly man and he asked Chotkar for help. The warrior rose but saw nobody.
Then the real trouble came. But no more could Chotkar do for his people. He advised them to go up the Volga-River and to ask the Russian people for help. The Russian people helped them against the enemies and since that time the two peoples have been living together in constant friendship.
Ex. 8. Read the text and do the tasks after it. V. Elmar – a poet-hero During the years of the Great patriotic war the Mari literature kept on developing. This process was especially fruitful in the genre of poetry. In his verses the Mari poets reflected the thoughts and feelings of the people, their endless love for Motherland and their desire to do everything possible and impossible for the victory over fascist Germany. In the image of the soldier-hero they accumulated the typical features of the soviet people: bravery, humanism, love for Motherland. They devoted their verses to our country, its heroic past; to the soldiers-defenders, who performed miracles of courage at the front and displayed labour heroism in the home front. One of the Mari poets who was working during the Great patriotic war was Vasily Elmar (the real name Kozyrev Vasily Sergeevich). He was born on 22 January 1910 in a small village of Kozhmasola (Zvenigovsky region) in the family of a peasant. After graduating from the Aircraft Institute in Kazan in 1932 he was the member of the editorial board of the republican newspaper “Mari Kommuna”. Since 1942 he took part in the Great patriotic war and was seriously wounded several times. In 1943 he died heroically in one of the battles. He began creating his verses in 1933 and published them in the magazine “U Viy”. In his poems he wrote about deep love to the country, glorified civic labour and patriotism of the soviet people; exposed the crimes of fascism. Based on the personal impressions his poems create the bright and emotional images of the common soldiers; they are the hymn to the outstanding heroism and unparalleled feat of the soviet people during the war. One of his best poems is “My Motherland” (“Rodina-Ava”) written in October 1941. Here the poet describes the achievements of the country during the years of the Soviet power and he solemnly swears to stop the fascists who were going to ruin everything so dear to the heart of the soviet people. The image of his Motherland the poet also depicted in the poems “Moscow” (1942), “To my son” (1942), “Leningrad” (1943), “Captain Gastello” (1942), “Heroes” (1942), “We will never forget you” (1943). They all sound rather optimistic because the poet believes in the strength of the soviet people and their unbending will. His poetry was a kind of ideological weapon in the fight against the fascist soldiers. V. Elmar was one of the favourite Mari poets and his whole life was an example of utter devotion and selfless service to his Motherland. In his poem “The oath of a warrior” (1942) he wrote: Ты слушай мой голос, родной мой народ С сердечной радостью тебе я клянусь: За Родину не пожалею свою жизнь До последней капли крови ее отдаю. (word for word translation from the Mari language). My dear people, listen to my voice. I swear joyfully to you: I will give away my life without any hesitation Till the last drop of my life For my Motherland. (word for word translation into the English language). In these lines he expressed his ideal and he was faithful to his oath up to the last minute of his life.
И готов я, как прежде, За грядущую радость, Свою голову в битве сложить! Чести выше не знаю, Нет мне большей награды, Чем Отчизне любимой служить! Glossary: to give away one’s life – отдавать свою жизнь without any hesitation – без колебаний the highest honour – высшая честь the biggest award – самая большая награда to serve selflessly – беззаветно служить
Ex. 9. Read the text and do the tasks after it. Ivan Kyrlya – a famous Mari actor and poet “A Start in Life” was the first sound feature film in our country. The plot was based on a true-to-life experiment which was organized due to V. Lenin’s advice and was carried out on the initiative of F. Dzerzhinsky. The main idea of the project was to collect homeless children and to re-educate them in the process of collective labour. The director of the film was N. Ekk who had just graduated from the State College of Cinematography. The film was released on 18 May 1931. It had immense success. It was the first film in which the quality of the sound corresponded to the high acoustic requirements. The audience was also impressed by the realistic representation of life. It caught the audience’s attention with high humanism and bright typical characters. Its warm and sincere atmosphere conquered the spectators’ hearts. The part of the leader of the group of the homeless children called Mustafa Fert was played by Ivan Kyrlya (Kirill Ivanovich Ivanov). In autumn 1926 a poorly-dressed young man with a wide face and expressive eyes came to enter the University of Kazan. He came here from the village of Kupsola (Sernursky Region of the Mari Republic). He was born on 17 March 1909 in a poor peasant family. His father was brutally killed for his active work while organizing collective farms. In spite of al life difficulties Kirill had a great desire to study. Kirill was distinguished by a lively character, witty mind and delicate sense of humor. He displayed great interest towards poetry, music, theatre, cinema. In 1929 he entered the Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. The members of the selection committee highly evaluated his artistic skills. A 20-year-old student brilliantly performed the part of Mustafa. This image is dramatic. His fate is unique as well as unique is his face with narrow eyes in which we can see either hate to people or kindness and love. He always changes, sometimes remembering his past. He is hardworking while constructing the railroad, dreamy recollecting his native land, when a famous Mari song about the beautiful Mari land brings him back to his dearly loved places. Ivan Kyrlya worked in the film studio “Vostokfilm”, took part in other films. In 1934-36 he participated in the movie “Buddha’s deputy” and played the part of Lama. The actor’s biography became the basis for the new feature film about the life of the Mari young people “The Song of Happiness”. At first it was called “Kavyrlya’s Mysteries”. Ivan Kyrlya was known not only as an actor but also as a poet. His verses were published in the newspaper “Mari Village”. Three books – collections of his poems were released in the 1930-s. His poems are simple but very touching. They have much in common with folk Mari songs. Many of them were translated into Russian. The life of Ivan Kyrlya was short but bright like the life of a shooting star. His life and work is one of the most marvelous pages of the Soviet multinational culture. His name became the pride not only of the Mari people but of the whole Soviet country.
Ex. 10. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the proper variant. I. Odar – Mari writer and public figure Ivan Odar (Romanov Ivan Efimovich) was born (1.---) 14 October 1887 in the village of Aganur (Kuzhenersky Region, Mari El) in the family of peasants. In 1909 he graduated (2.---) the Teachers’ Training Seminary. Till 1915 he worked (3. ---) a teacher of primary national school in Urzhumsky Region. He (4.---) an ensign of the Grenadier regiment in St. Petersburg (1917). In 1918-1921 he worked as a teacher at the pedagogical courses in Sernur (Mari EL). In 1928-1929 ha was the head teacher of an agricultural college, in 1930-1931 – an assistant professor in Kazan State University. He was (5.---) first rector of the Mari Pedagogical Institute (1931-1933); the Head of the Mari Book Publishing House (1933-1934). His first articles and essays (6.---) in the newspaper “Uzhara” and magazines “U Ilysh” and “Kulashe”. In the 1920-s he compiled the first readers for the national schools. The (7.---) known literary work by I. Odar is a story (8.---) “Wood-goblin” (1929). Later it was re-published several times in the Mari and Russian languages. In April 1937 Odar was arrested and sentenced to (9.---) imprisonment. He was killed in prison (Yaroslavsky Region) (10.---) obscure conditions. In 1958 he was fully exonerated.
1. on at of over 2. after from in below 3. as like how in 4. were had was has 5. a ---- an the 6. appeared appear appearing did appear 7. more most much more most 8. calling called was called calls 9. ten-years ten-year tens-year tens-years 10. in on under within Ex. 11. Read the text and do the tasks after it. Near the river (after I. Odar) The day is coming to an end. It is getting colder. It’s easy to walk when you are not hot. You can enjoy the pleasant smell of the flowers from the meadow. The air is transparent. The boys are merry. They are laughing, crying, playing tag and hide and seek in the thick grass. The path turns to the forest and they are now among the magnificent spruces and pine-trees. The birds’ twitter is filling in the wood. Five minutes later the boys come out from the wood to the bank o the river. Both the right and the left banks are covered with grass – green and soft like tender velvet. The butterflies are flitting above the flowers. The boys are not tired. They take the fishing-rods and go fishing. They wait and wait but – no result. Perhaps the fish is already sleeping somewhere on the river-bed. A bit upset the boys make a fire and prepare tea. They drink one cup after another and can’t stop. Very tasty is the tea cooked on the fire.
Is I. Odar a famous Mari writer? |