Anvar Obidjon
Children’s poet, writer, playwright and journalist, chief editor of the Cho'lpon publishing house; in 1998 he received the title People’s Poet of Uzbekistan.
- Occupation:
- Writer, Poet, Playwright, Children's writer
- Born:
- January 25 1947(73 years old) ♒ — April 11, 2020
- Birthplace:
- Oltiariq District, Fergana
Biography
Anvar Obidjon was born on 25 January 1947 in the village of Poloson in the Oltiariq district of the Fergana region. While still at school he saw his first poem, “Shkafjon”, printed in the magazine “G'uncha” (1960). He studied at the Samarkand financial technical school in 1964–1966 and served in the army in 1966–1969.
Back in his home village he worked as a field accountant on the Nurobod collective farm (1970–1971) and then as a literary staff member and head of a department at the district newspaper “Paxta uchun” (1971–1976). In 1973–1979 he studied by correspondence at the journalism faculty of Tashkent State University. His first collection, “Ona Yer” (“Mother Earth”), came out in 1975.
In Tashkent he was an editor and deputy chief editor at the Kamolot publishing house (1981–1986) and chief editor of Yulduzcha (1986–1987). In 1988 he was a literary staff member of the magazine “Yosh kuch”, in 1988–1989 head of a department at “Mushtum”, and in 1989–1998 chief editor and director of the Cho'lpon publishing house. Later he worked as an editor at Uzbek television.
Obidjon published twenty-five books, most of them for children, among them “Olovjon va uning do'stlari” (“Olovjon and His Friends”, 1983), “Oltin yurakli Avtobola” (“The Auto-Boy with a Golden Heart”, 1986), “Meshpolvonning janglari” (“The Fights of Meshpolvon”, 1994), “Oltiariq hangomalari” (1999), “Odobli bo'lish osonmi?” (“Is It Easy to Be Well-Mannered?”, 2001) and “Meshpolvon” (2003). The film “Dahshatli Meshpolvon” was made from “Meshpolvon”. As a playwright he became known in 1983, when his comedy “Qo'ng'iroqli yolg'onchi” (“The Ringing Liar”) was staged at the Youth Theatre.
He was awarded the “Shuhrat” medal in 1997, received the title People’s Poet of Uzbekistan in 1998 and the Order “For Selfless Service” in 2011. He was a member of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan.
Anvar Obidjon died in Tashkent on 11 April 2020, aged 73. In August 2025 a presidential decree honouring a group of late scholars, writers and artists awarded him the Order of Labor Glory posthumously.
Education
- Samarkand Financial Technical SchoolCollege · Samarkand · 1964–1966
- National University of UzbekistanUniversity · Tashkent · 1973–1979 · Faculty of Journalism (by correspondence), Tashkent State University
Career
- Mushtum magazineHead of a department · 1988–1989
- Yosh kuch magazineLiterary staff member · Tashkent · 1988–1988
- Writers' Union of UzbekistanMember · Tashkent
- Cho'lpon Publishing HouseChief editor and director · Tashkent · 1989–1998Everyone who held this post →
- Uzbek TelevisionEditor · Tashkent
- Paxta uchun newspaperLiterary staff member, head of a department · Oltiariq District · 1971–1976
- Kamolot publishing houseEditor, deputy chief editor · Tashkent · 1981–1986
Awards
People's Poet of Uzbekistan1998 · Uzbekistan
Order «For Selfless Service»2011 · Uzbekistan
Order of Labor Glory2025, posthumously · Uzbekistan
Medal «Shuhrat» (Glory)1997 · Uzbekistan
Life path
- 1947Birth
Born in the village of Poloson in the Oltiariq district of the Fergana region.
- 1960First poem
His poem “Shkafjon” was printed in the magazine “G'uncha”.
- 1964–1969Study and army
Studied at the Samarkand financial technical school (1964–1966), then served in the army (1966–1969).
- 1971–1976“Paxta uchun” newspaper
Was a literary staff member and head of a department at the district newspaper.
- 1973–1979University
Studied by correspondence at the journalism faculty of Tashkent State University.
- 1975First collection
The collection “Ona Yer” was published.
- 1981–1987In publishing
Editor and deputy chief editor at Kamolot (1981–1986), chief editor at Yulduzcha (1986–1987).
- 1988–1989In magazines
Literary staff member of “Yosh kuch”, head of a department at “Mushtum”.
- 1989–1998Cho'lpon publishing house
Worked as chief editor and director of the publishing house.
- 1997–1998Honours
Received the “Shuhrat” medal in 1997 and the title People’s Poet of Uzbekistan in 1998.
- 2011Order
Awarded the Order “For Selfless Service”.
- 2020Death
Died in Tashkent on 11 April.
- 2025Posthumous honour
Awarded the Order of Labor Glory posthumously.
Works
- “Ona Yer” (“Mother Earth”) (1975)Collection of poems
The poet’s first book.
- “Olovjon va uning do'stlari” (“Olovjon and His Friends”) (1983)Children’s book
A collection for children.
- “Qo'ng'iroqli yolg'onchi” (“The Ringing Liar”) (1983)Comedy
Staged at the Youth Theatre; his work as a playwright began with it.
- “Bezgakshamol” (1985)Collection
One of the writer’s books of the 1980s.
- “Oltin yurakli Avtobola” (“The Auto-Boy with a Golden Heart”) (1986)Children’s book
A book for children.
- “Meshpolvonning janglari” (“The Fights of Meshpolvon”) (1994)Children’s book
A work about the character Meshpolvon.
- “Oltiariq hangomalari” (“Tales of Oltiariq”) (1999)Collection
A book named after the writer’s home district.
- “Odobli bo'lish osonmi?” (“Is It Easy to Be Well-Mannered?”) (2001)Children’s book
A book for children.
- “Meshpolvon” (2003)Children’s book
The film “Dahshatli Meshpolvon” was made from it.