Dashdorjin Natsagdorj, the founder of modern Mongolian literature, poet, writer, and translator, was born in 1906 in a place called Gun Galuutai, in the former Darkhan Chin Wangi khoshuu of Tusheetkhan aimag, now Bayandelger soum of Tuv aimag, as the son of a poor nobleman.
In 1913, when he was 7 years old, his mother Pagma died. His father worked as a scribe in the Ministry of War. In 1914, they moved to the Niislel region. In 1915, when Natsagdorj turned 9, he was taught to read and write by a nobleman named Altangerel of the Great Region. From that time on, he became fluent in Mongolian writing and studied ancient texts such as “The Tale of Two Mages”, “The Key of the Mind”, “The Mirror of the Heart”, and many other works related to the history of Mongolian language and literature.
At the end of 1918, D. Natsagdorj worked as a secretary at the Ministry of War. After the victory of the People’s Revolution in 1921, he actively participated in social and political work and worked tirelessly to spread new culture and art. He was an assistant to General D. Sukhbaatar and worked in the office of the secretary of the military council.
In 1922, he joined the Mongolian People’s Party and held various positions. He studied at the N.G. Tolmachev Military-Political Academy in Leningrad, USSR, in the fall of 1925. In 1926, he became one of six students to study in Germany. At that time, a total of 44 students were selected to study in Germany and France.
They traveled from the capital Ulaanbaatar through Ulaanbaatar, Moscow, and Leningrad to the German capital Berlin. Until the spring of 1929, they studied linguistics, oriental studies, and the works of the world’s best writers, great Russian and Soviet writers, and learned the German language. The famous writer and academician D. Natsagdorj returned to his homeland and held many positions.
His great works praising his homeland are still precious to the Mongolian people and future generations. The great writer used to publish his works under pseudonyms such as Eldev – Ochir, Uzeg, Sain Sanat, Ochir. His famous works include “Ukirtai 3 tolgoi”, a dialect play, “Mongol folk genius”, “Hidden treasure”, “Ushaandar”, “Sando amban’s cruel deeds”, “I am not”, “White moon and black tears”, “Old boy”, “Dark rock”, and “Something unseen” stories, which have been read and studied by Mongolians with great respect. There are also many poems with amazingly clear and clear words and unique expressions. The famous “My land”, “Four hours”, “Star”, “My lamb”, “Sun aa”, “Saar aa”, “Health and happiness”. Among his unique short stories, we can mention “Shuvuunuun ara”, “Lambugain ara”, “Dark rock”, “Khedeu tal-an saba”, “Old boy”.
- Natsagdorjtranslated works from Russian and German. His famous translations include:
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Golden Beetle”, Wilhelm Hauf’s “Little Mukha”, A.S. Pushkin’s “Anchar”, “The Prisoner”, his “Alert”, “The Land and the Sea” and many other works. Also, while working as the head of the Pioneer Bureau, he composed a pioneer song called “All the Little Ones” for Mongolian youth and pioneer students. His collected works were published in 1945, 1955, 1961, 1996, and 2006.
His most famous work, the poem “My Land,” has been read by many peoples of the world in their own languages. His writings have been translated into many languages of the world. He was a talented person who used to infuse his works with the beautiful words and melodies of his native language. The poem “My Mother,” dedicated to his mother, is a unique work that glorifies motherhood.
- Natsagdorj was a representative of the best intellectuals of Mongolia. He died in 1937.
- Natsagdorj.
“My mother”.
The mother who gave birth to me under the beautiful moon of Mongolia
The mother who lulled me with her beautiful voice
The mother who raised me with her soft white hands
The mother who educated me with her kind words.
Prepared by Dr.S.Erdenebulgan
