Jafar Jabbarly

• Name — Jafar Jabbarly • Born — 20 March 1899 • Birthplace — Khizi, Baku Governorate, Russian Empire (present day Azerbaijan) • Died — 31 December 1934 • Place of death — Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union • Occupation — Dramaturge, Poet, Screenwriter • Native Name — Cəfər Cabbarlı

After his father's death in 1902, Jabbarly's mother moved to Baku with her four children. Jabbarli began his education in 1905 at the 7th Muslim–Russian School in Baku. He studied under prominent intellectuals of the time, including Suleyman Sani Akhundov, Abdulla Shaig, and Rahim bey Shikhlinski. Coming from a poor family, he faced financial difficulties in covering his educational expenses. On the initiative of the school administration, he was exempted from tuition fee and received support from philanthropists. He graduated from the school in 1908 with first place. In 1909, he was admitted to the 3rd Alekseyev High School. In 1915, Jabbarly graduated from high school and studied electromechanics at Baku Polytechnicum for the next 5 years. During this period, his educational expenses were covered by the philanthropist Isa bey Ashurbeyov. In 1920 he was admitted to Azerbaijan State University to study applied medicine but due to his lack of interest soon switched to Oriental studies. In 1923, he started attending lectures at a local theatre to fulfill his interest in drama.

During the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920), Jabbarlı was actively involved in political and cultural life. In October 1918, he began working as a translator for the newspaper Azerbaijan. In December 1918, he was appointed as a stenographer in the Azerbaijan Parliament. On 10 November 1918, he attended a banquet held in honor of Nuru Pasha, who played a key role in the liberation of Baku. Jabbarlı met Nuru Pasha at this event. Later, Nuru Pasha visited Jabbarlı’s home and presented gifts to his family. After the fall of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Jabbarlı became the chief secretary of the Central Committee of the Musavat Party, which continued its activities underground. Because of his political involvement, he was monitored by the Soviet secret police, the Cheka. In 1923, Jabbarlı was arrested twice due to his political activities. During his first arrest on 15 June 1923, his manuscripts were confiscated, and he was released shortly afterward. He was arrested again on 5 October 1923. While in prison, he continued working on his poem Qız qalası, using a pencil in his prison cell. Due to public pressure and his reputation as a writer, he was released on 30 October 1923.

Jafar Jabbarly is recorded as having received Honored Art Worker of the Azerbaijan SSR. Jafar Jabbarly is recorded as poet, writer, screenwriter, playwright and director.