Kosta Khetagurov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kosta Khetagurov
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| Born | 15 October 1859 Nar, Ossetia, Russian Empire |
| Died | 1 April 1906 (aged 46) Ossetia, Russian Empire |
| Occupation | Artist, Drawer, Poet |
| Literary movement | Humanism |
Konstantin (Kosta) Khetagkaty (born October 15, 1859 – died April 1, 1906) was a very important national poet for the Ossetian people. Many people see him as the person who started Ossetian literature. He was also a talented painter and someone who helped his community a lot. You might also know him by his Russian name, Kosta Khetagurov.
Kosta was born in a village called Nar in what is now North Ossetia–Alania. He went to school in Stavropol from 1871 to 1881. In 1881, he started studying art at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts. But he had to stop in 1885 because he ran out of money.
When he returned to his home in Ossetia, he became a famous poet. His poems, written in the Ossetian language, quickly became popular. People shared them by telling them to each other in towns and villages. He also published poems, stories, and articles in Russian newspapers like Severny Kavkaz and Kazbek. Kosta's paintings were also very well-liked. One painting showed Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to the Georgians. This painting was especially popular in Georgia.
Kosta often spoke out against the government of Imperial Russia. Because of this, he was sent away from his homeland twice. The first time was from 1891 to 1896, and again from 1899 to 1902. This last time he was sent away made him very sick. It also stopped him from creating art and helping his community. Kosta died soon after, in 1906.
Contents
Life of Kosta Khetagurov
Kosta's Education and Early Art Talents
Konstantin (Kosta) Khetagkaty was born on October 15, 1859. His birthplace was a small mountain village called Nar. Nar is now a small but well-known town in the Alagir gorge of North Ossetia. It is close to the Georgian-Russian border.
From a young age, Kosta showed amazing talent for drawing. Many people noticed this, and they had high hopes for him. These early years were challenging but helped him grow a lot.
When it was time for Kosta to go to a new school, his art skills helped him. He was chosen to attend a more important school, the Stavropol Lyceum. A Russian drawing teacher named Smirnov noticed Kosta's great skill with brushes and pens.
Kosta then faced a big decision. His father wanted him to become a soldier. His father told him about the benefits of a military life. But Kosta strongly said he was not interested in fighting. After some discussion, Kosta convinced his father. In 1881, Kosta entered the Academy of Arts in Petersburg. Everyone there had even higher expectations for his art. People thought Kosta would be an artist his whole life.
However, Kosta faced a big problem. His financial support was suddenly taken away. Kosta had relied on this money and struggled to live without it. He had to work hard to earn money for food. But it was not enough. Kosta was in a very difficult situation. He had no choice but to leave school and return to Nar. No one knows for sure why his money was stopped. Some people think it was because of the political problems happening in Russia at the time.
Kosta's Painting Period
Even though Kosta did not finish art school, his paintings were still very good. For a while, he earned money by taking art jobs. Soon, there was a big art show of his work in Vladikavkaz. This show was a very important cultural event. People said the exhibition helped Kosta's fame and also gave him money. Three of his paintings were especially famous: "Children Stone-breakers," "In an Ossetian Hut," and "The Zikara Pass."
One painting, "St. Nina," was so realistic that crowds gathered to look closely. People even asked a worker if they could touch the painting to make sure it was flat and not a statue! This painting is still highly respected today. Kosta later had a chance to paint backgrounds for theaters. This paid well, but Kosta did not like that the theaters advertised his name so much. He did not want to be known for that type of painting.
Kosta's Marriage
It is not known if Kosta ever married. Some people say yes, others say no. There is not much information about many parts of Kosta's personal life.
Kosta Becomes the National Poet
Kosta painted a lot at first. But when he returned to Nar, his interest in painting changed. He started to focus less on painting and more on writing. Many people say this was "the birth of a great poet." Kosta was special because he wrote in both Ossetian and Russian. His first book of poems was in Russian.
Kosta was greatly influenced by the revolutionary and democratic ideas in Russia at the time. His work was very popular because it often showed the suffering of ordinary people.
The strong sense of patriotism that Kosta's father wanted him to have also showed in his early works. This patriotism is very clear in his book "The Ossetian Lyre." This book was first published in 1899. Since then, "The Ossetian Lyre" has been one of the most loved books in Ossetia. People cherish it more and more over time. In Ossetia, you can find Kosta songs, Kosta sayings, and Kosta wisdom.
One popular poem translated into English is "Mother of Orphans." Here is a part of it: "And while dark and dismal
Still the ashes glowed,
She could not with weeping
Ease her heart's dire load.
Then she told the children:
"See, I'm boiling beans!"
Really she was cooking
Pebbles for her weans."
This poem describes a sad scene. A fire in the house is not warm enough. A woman is crying, but it does not help her feel better. The children are also unhappy. In the original Ossetian poem, the children are orphans, and the woman is a widow. The poem talks about the woman being upset with her husband for dying and leaving them. At that time, there was no help for widows and orphans. The woman then tricks the children. She tells them she is cooking beans to get them to sleep, but she is actually boiling rocks because there is no food.
Kosta's First Exile
Kosta was more than just a painter and poet. He was a well-known public figure. He liked being in the public eye and was popular as an actor. He also spoke out strongly against anything he thought was unfair. Today, people would appreciate this. But it is easy to imagine that the rulers (Czars) did not like this "trouble-making" artist. Officials who wanted to keep old traditions were angry with him. This led to Kosta being sent away for the first time.
In 1895, Kosta was forced to leave the Terek region immediately. This was difficult for him, but he had a place to stay in Stavropol. He did not want to stay in his old school town. So, Kosta eventually moved his home to Pyatigorsk.
During this time, Kosta wrote: "I've known no happiness, but I'd
give my freedom
Which I am used, like happiness,
to prize,
If I might pave one step the way
to freedom,
That road which waiting for the
people lies."
Kosta's Second Exile
Kosta did not stop speaking out, no matter where he lived. He continued to oppose the Czar's policies. The Czar's helpers punished him again. In 1899, Kosta was sent away for a second time, this time to Kherson.
His first exile was annoying but did not affect his work too much. However, this second exile seemed to take away Kosta's energy and spirit. Without his spirit, he became very sick and sad. His work from this time shows his sickness:
"Glorious sunlight strikes my forehead
Warmly wafting voluptuous vapors of rippled
Nostalgia, tears appear in my ears, my
Hearing senses sorrowful drops of love outside.
I wish to move, to shake the bars, for
Within these still walls the devil himself hides."
Because he was so sick, Kosta was finally allowed to return home in 1901. Friends who had not seen him for two years said he looked much older and sicker than when he left. Kosta was very ill, and it was clear he did not have much time left to live.
Kosta's Death
Before he died, Kosta is said to have written:
"...the dawn is breaking,
the sun is gleaming on the bay-
onets".
This clever line was like a prediction. It suggested a new day and big changes were coming, and with them, death. It was a prediction of Kosta's own death and also of the First World War, which would happen ten years later. Kosta was sick for many years before he died in 1906.
Kosta Khetagurov's Philosophy
Kosta's poetry is like that of other poets who write about ordinary, good people. Poets like Mikhail Lermontov, Nikolai Nekrasov, Robert Burns, and Taras Shevchenko are considered to have a similar style.
Common themes in this type of poetry are social issues and justice. Kosta focused on truth and human progress, which is called "humanism." He wrote:
"To the truths radiance
Boldly go treading.
Cowards and lay-abouts,
Clear off, no meddling!"
A constant theme in Kosta's work was the difference between the lives of the rich and the poor. Kosta used strong words to criticize wealthy people who got their money at the expense of others. Even rich people who earned their money fairly felt the sting of Kosta's writing.
To the people "who eat well and are happy," he wrote this, which is hard to translate perfectly:
"Your happiness -I don't require it –
No happiness for the people
there...
In brilliant mansions I'm expiring,
Fainting and blinded by their
glare...
For ages built by slavedom tor-
tured,
In them the groans of orphans
choke,
In them the wine with tears is wa-
tered-
No, by yourselves enjoy good
fortune,
Where so unfortunate is the folk!"
Many people talk about Kosta's patriotism. It is true that Kosta is most important in Ossetia. But at the time, people around the world knew about him. Kosta also knew about those who knew him elsewhere. So, calling Kosta only a regional poet is not completely accurate. His praises have been sung across many countries in the Caucasus mountains. Here is an example of Kosta's international poetry:
"The world is my temple,
The Love is my shrine,
The universe is my homeland"
The ideas behind his philosophy came from the revolutionary thoughts that were growing in Russia. These ideas influenced Kosta as he grew up. But Kosta is not only a Russian poet. The Ossetian culture and traditions are so strong in his poetry and philosophy. This is why Kosta is so respected in Ossetia.
Kosta Khetagurov's Legacy
The famous Soviet poet Nikolai Tikhonov said that Kosta "became important for new ideas, the best art, and the future of humanity." He also said Kosta "rightfully joined the great family of world classical writers."
One historian wrote, "Kosta's influence on how Ossetians think is huge. We believe his good moral power will last forever." Kosta's poems and other works are still available to buy in many languages. You can find them in libraries, bookstores, and online.
Another important fact is that today, Ossetia is known for its great arts and culture. This is thanks in large part to Kosta. To show this, one of the three universities in Ossetia is named after him: Kosta Khetagurov University.
Statues of Kosta Khetagurov
Many statues of Kosta have been built across the region. A more recent and impressive statue is in Vladikavkaz. This tall stone statue represents Kosta's lasting importance. A sign on it says, "To Kosta Khetagurov, the founder of Ossetian literature - from the government of the Soviet Union."
However, during conflicts, Kosta's statue and his home and museum have been damaged.
Images for kids
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Kosta Khetagurov as a student
See also
In Spanish: Kostá Jetagúrov para niños
