Ossetian poet, artist and publicist Kosta Khetagurov had a huge impact on the development of the spiritual component of the culture of the Ossetian people. The memory of the great compatriot is still carefully preserved in the Caucasus.
Biography
An Ossetian enlightener was born in the very heart of the Caucasus Mountains, in the picturesque village of Nar, which is located in the upper reaches of the Alagi Gorge. The poet's father - ensign Levan Yelisbarovich Khetagurov faithfully served in the Russian army, Costa's mother is the beautiful Gubaeva Maria Gavrilovna. Ossetian poet and artist was born in 1859 on October 3rd. The child did not recognize hot maternal love, since Maria Gavrilovna died very early when the boy was only 2 years old. Chendze Dzaparova, a distant relative of Kosta Khetagurov’s mother, was engaged in the upbringing of the baby. The woman was very warm towards the orphan and gave him her love. Soon Levan Yelisbarovich married again, but the stepmother did not love the stepson.
The boy received his education in a small school in the village and continued it in the Vladikavkaz gymnasium. During his studies, Costa showed remarkable talent - he showed promise in painting.
The father was an unquestioned authority for the guy and the most beloved person in the world. This love with Costa was shared by the inhabitants of the Narsky Gorge, who chose Levon Eligzarovich as their national leader. Thanks to the father of Kosta Khetagurov, the St. George-Ossetian village arose in the Kuban. Currently, this settlement exists safely and bears the name of its famous poet and artist. Geographically, the St. George-Ossetian settlement belongs to Karachay-Cherkessia.
Costa did not finish the Vladikavkaz gymnasium, as he missed his house and father very much. He returned to his native land and continued his studies in science at the Kalanja school until 1870.
Work and creativity
In the 70s, Costa tried to write his poems, and to this day several early works of the poet “Husband and wife”, “Faith”, “New Year” have survived. The father again sent his son to study, now in Stavropol. Kosta Khetagurov received this education since 1871. Passion for painting helped the young man participate in the All-Russian Opening Day of 1877. The paintings of the Ossetian artist were noticed by the master and were highly appreciated. A brilliant career awaited the artist - the Petersburg Academy of Arts. The famous Russian artists Surikov, Repin, Serov, Vrubel became teachers and mentors of the talented Ossetian. And now you can admire the paintings that Kosta Khetagurov painted in those fruitful years. These are "The Grieving Angel", "Natural Bridge", "Table Mountain" and other paintings.
In 1885, the young artist returns to his homeland, where he lives in Vladikavkaz until 1891.
Powerful Russian culture, life in enlightened and beautiful St. Petersburg had a huge impact on Kosta Khetagurov. In addition to painting, he was engaged in writing and even in the years of life on the banks of the Neva, the first large poems came out from under his pen. When Khetagurov returned to the Caucasus, he often began to publish his poetic works in the popular magazines “Kazbek” and “Northern Caucasus”. Poems were published in Ossetian language and were of a freedom-loving nature, which served as a reason for the expulsion of the poet. The disgraced author spent two years in his father’s house.
