Abdulla Aliş

Who was Abdulla Aliş?

Alişev Ğabdullacan Ğäbdelbari ulı, best known as Abdulla Aliş was a Soviet Tatar poet, playwright, writer and resistance fighter. He wrote mostly novels for children, the most notable writings being: Dulqınnar, Ant, Minem abí, as well as fairy-tales, collected to Ana äkiätläre. He also wrote several pieces for puppet-shows, the most notable Sertotmas ürdäk.

In addition to his writing, Aliş spent his early years working towards the construction and improvement of an electric power station in the town of Menzelinsk, on the shores of the Qaban Lakes. From 1933 he worked as a professional journalist and executive secretary for the youth magazine Pioner kələme. In 1941, he was appointed Chief Editor of the Tatar Radio Committee.

In 1941, Aliş joined the Red Army and fought in World War II. That same year, he was taken prisoner by the Wehrmacht near the city of Bryansk. It was here that he met resistance fighter and poet Musa Cälil; both later gained entrance into the Idel-Ural Legion. While in prison, they formed an underground resistance group to oppose the Nazis. Their plans were later discovered, and as a result both men were guillotined in the prison of Plötzensee.