Amirejibi Chabua
Chabua Amirejibi (Mzechabukhi) (November 18, 1921, Tbilisi - December 12, 2013, Tbilisi) was a Georgian writer, Shota Rustaveli State Prize (1992) and Georgian State Prize (1998) laureate. Honored Citizen of Tbilisi (2001).
He started his studies at the Faculty of Law at Tbilisi State University in 1941. After a year, he transferred to the Faculty of Philology.
In 1943, he was arrested for participating in activities against the Soviet rule.
He returned to Georgia in 1959. Here he began his literary and publicist activities. From 1983 to 1989, he was the director of the "Mematiane" documentary film studio, and from 1989 onwards, the general director of the Georgian-American joint film company "Isari". From 1991 to 1995, he was a member of the Georgian Parliament.
He started active literary work in 1960. The first short story Ratom Ar Damacade (Why didn’t you let me do it?) was published in the journal "Mnatobi" (No. 1). The first collection of stories called Gza was published in 1962. The author's works include Chemi Mejgane Bidza [My Grinning Uncle] (1963), Kharis Aghsareba [Confession of the Ox] (1964); a collection of stories called Dzia Shotas Badia, the novel "Giorgi Burduli" (both published in 1965). He also wrote a collection of fables Taplis Tsveti [A Drop of Honey] (1968), critical letters, scripts, articles on cinematography, and other works. His novels include: "Data Tutashkhia" (1st and 2nd books were written in 1973-75; published in 1986), "Gora Mborgali" (written in 1984-94, published in 1995), "Giorgi Brtskinvale" (2003).
The novel "Data Tutashkhia" immediately placed him in the ranks of the best Georgian writers. Its vast and multifaceted material draws inspiration from the author’s involuntary exile. This is a remarkable artistic interpretation of the highest ideals of justice, humanity, high morality, and courage. The narrative of the novel reflects the history of the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. However, the book is not strictly a historical genre. In it, historical truth is not artistically-recreated but is the driving force of the narrative. At the same time, it is a truly contemporary work that depicts pressing moral problems and criticizes the reality of its time. It is difficult to categorize this novel in any conventional genre. The value of this novel transcends the ideas of traditional Georgian novels. The ambivalence of the text, parabolic style, and mythological aspects give the novel its timeless aspect. The prototype of the protagonist Data Tutashkhia embodies our contemporaries – men befell by tragedy. He represents generalized ideas of justice and freedom, the struggle between good and evil, and overcoming evil through love. Data is a symbol of hope for the oppressed, and therefore his death is the birth of a new myth – a myth about an immortal and just protector, who did not die, but continued serving people.
The book gained additional popularity through the portrayal of its two distinguished main characters – Data Tutashkhia and Mushni Zarandia. Their duel represents the tragedy of the eternal struggle between good and evil. Data Tutashkhia is a strong, smart, romantic, and active person; he has broad interests and shows emotional range. He is set apart from other contemporary heroes with his idealistic spiritual superiority and tireless drive to take action. Mushni Zarandia is also a strong character and some critics believe that he is even more tragic than Data Tutashkhia.
Amirejibi introduced a parabolic style to the Georgian novel. The image of Seturi and the corresponding episode is a harsh criticism of the dictatorial era and the model of its rule. The novel was written in a distinguished language, the characterizations are precise and expressive.
In 1978, based on the novel, with the author's scenario, directors G. Lortkipanidze and G. Gabeskiria shot a seven-part television film (Georgian and Russian versions), which was also widely popular. In 1981, the film's production team and script author (Amirejibi) were awarded the USSR State Prize. "Data Tutashkhia" was translated and published in many languages. Fragments of Amirejibi’s novel Kroni were published in journal the Chorokhi and newspaper Literaturuli Sakartvelo in 1981.
In 2010, Chabua Amirejibi became a monk.
He received numerous state awards: Order of Honor (2001), Vakhtang Gorgasali First Degree Order (2002), and Golden Order of St. George (2009).
He is buried in the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures.
Sources: დათა თუთაშხია, [გამოც. მე-2], თბ., 1986; გორა მბორგალი, თბ., 1995; თხზულებები 7 ტომად, თბ., 2001.
Literature: ბაქრაძე ა., სამი მწერალი, მნათობი, 2000, N3-4; ბარდაველიძე ბ., ზნეობისა და სიკეთის გმირი, მნათობი, თბ.,1976, N5; ბენაშვილი გ., არაბესკები, ლიტერატურული ძიებანი, თბ., 2002, ტ.23; გაჩეჩილაძე გ., ონტოლოგიური შიშის რაინდი, წგ.: სულიერი გამოცდილების სამყაროში, თბ., 1986; თევზაძე დ., რომანი დაუმორჩილებელ ქართულ სულზე, ლიტერატურული ძიებანი, თბ., 2000, ტ. XXI; იმედაშვილი გ., დათა თუთაშხია, «ცისკარი», 1974, № 6; იმედაშვილი კ., მხმობი, წგ.: მიჯნა, თბ., 1987.
K. Imedashvili
