The Poetry of Ilya Chavchavadze

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Gaston Bouatchidze: The work of Ilya Chavchavadze (1837-1907) fits naturally into the literary tradition of Georgia, the origins of which can be traced back to the fifth century. The poetical works which preceded and paved the way for his own include, first and foremost, The Knight in the Panther's Skin by Shota Rustaveli (twelfth century), the Davitiani by David Guramishvili (eighteenth century) and the poetry of the romantic Nikoloz Baratashvili (first half of the nineteenth century). However, the period spanned by the life of Ilya Chavchavadze coincides with a unique chapter in the history of the country. The poet sets out to be its chronicler, and both his poetic inspiration and his craft are influenced by this, being shaped by the dictates of the author's views. If Rustaveli is the master of epic and philosophical poetry, a virtuoso of richly musical and varied verse, Guramishvili the craftsman of the most wide-ranging poetic metre and of constructions that are both brilliant and striking, and B aratashvili the lyricist of suffering and melancholy, the poetry of Ilya …