Orazalinov Sultan

(1941 – 2021)

The famous writer, translator, playwright, television and radio journalist, and public figure Sultan Sharipuly was born in the city of Ayakoz, Semey region. He was born into a large family and lost his father at an early age. After graduating from the Faculty of Philology at Kazakh University in 1964, he began his career at national television. Here, he wrote literary-dramatic programs and prepared monographs, as well as demonstrated his literary talent through the analysis of his novels "Asau Arna," "Dön Asqan," "Janartau," "Shalkar," and "Aigaitas."

Sultan Sharipuly was a multifaceted talent. He wrote books such as "The Reality of Imagination and Life," "There Is No People Without Language," and "The Right of Truth," dedicated to studying the national characteristics of the Kazakh people and the pearls of oral literature. Among Sultan's original works, the teleplays and telenovelas for television stand out. The telenovela "Kek," based on a legend, is dedicated to the spirit of the poet Makhambet.

Additionally, S. Orazalin adapted the works of Mukhtar Auezov for the screen, producing the television dramas "Shatqalan" and "Uylenu." In Kazakh television, he organized the first cyclical programs such as "Sukhbat," "Kymyzkhana," "Sakhna," "Aitys," and "Kezdesu," opening new aesthetic spaces.

His literary talent was also reflected in the essay genre. His essays "The Last Commander of Giants" about G. Musirepov, "Sarabdal" about Gabiden Mustafin, "Kaisar" about Ilyas Yesenberlin, and "Kemenger" dedicated to Chinghiz Aitmatov are prominent works in this genre.

In 1986, he was appointed director of the republican art publishing house and became a laureate of the Culture Worker and Journalists Union award. He translated the works of A. Hakimov and N. Yeremenko into Kazakh, showcasing his talent as a television publicist, playwright, critic, and translator. The album "In the Land of Abai" was published in Kazakh, Russian, and English. His book "The Fate of Language is the Fate of the Nation" contains articles and interviews related to language policy. He is the author of about 300 literary scripts and around 40 research articles.

Sultan Sharipuly also set an example in introducing the best examples of foreign literature to Kazakh television. The teleplays "Raykhan Guli" based on A. Morua's story and "Tutqyn" based on J. Kassal's work became part of the golden fund of Kazakh television.

In 2021, the well-known writer and journalist Sultan Orazalin passed away at the age of 80.

Sultan Sharipuly Orazalin is a rare talent who simultaneously developed several areas of Kazakh spirituality. He is valued as a figure who renewed the artistic thinking system during the formation of national television and elevated television journalism and playwriting to the level of literature. In the writer's creativity, issues of language fate, national identity, historical memory, and spiritual continuity always held a central place.

As a public figure, Sultan Orazalin actively engaged in culture and language policy, working tirelessly to elevate the status of the native language. His journalistic works and essays created a spiritual portrait of Kazakh intellectuals and became a literary chronicle of an entire era.

The writer's works and television productions have become part of the national art's golden fund and serve as an example for future generations. Sultan Sharipuly's multifaceted legacy is a valuable spiritual treasure that has made an immeasurable contribution to the development of Kazakh literature and television journalism.