Background
KHAMZA, Khakim was born on March 6, 1926 in Kokand. Son of a healer.
KHAMZA, Khakim was born on March 6, 1926 in Kokand. Son of a healer.
Began to write verse and songs at age 16. 1911-1915 ran a free school for poor children, taught at this school, wrote primary-school aids and tried to incorporate oral folk work into the curriculum. The authorities claimed his school was harmful and barred him from teaching.
His textbooks remained in manuscript. 1915 founded in Kokand a semi-professional drama company which staged his plays and the plays of Azer writers. 1918 founded itinerant theater company and, together with this company, joined the Red Army.
Wrote a number of plays for this theater. Studied and arranged folk music, composed his own melodies and collected folk songs throughout Uzbekistan, performing them on national folk instruments.
Communist Party member from 1920.