Interaction of oral and book traditions in the epic of the Siberian Tatars
Based on the material of the Tatar dastan on the plot about Takhir and Zukhra (in Tatar language) the author analyzes the processes of genre inertia and transformation, examines the influence of the Turkic epos and written culture on the formation and development of the epic of the Siberian Tatars. The subject of the study are the variants of dastan on the plot «Takhir and Zukhra» in Tatar language, as the background for the study were also used epics on other subjects. In the article, special attention is paid to the text published by V. Radlov in 1872 in St. Petersburg. This text was written down by scientists from Siberian Tatars. Dastan has a large volume, it is narrated in the dialect of Siberian Tatars. The eastern dialect of the Tatar language is reflected in the title of the work: «Tayyr and Saura». The composition of the plot, the presentation of the images-characters, the sequence of events, the volume, etc. of Radlov's version do not repeat other Tatar variants and versions of other peoples. The author notes two sources of the Siberian-Tatar variant of «Takhir and Zukhra» - this is undoubtedly the tradition of an oral epic, as well as literary and written epic traditions of Tatars of the Volga region. An intermediate position of the dastan about Takhir and Zukhra between folklore and literature is revealed. The plot of dastan is mostly folk-traditional. A peculiar independent plot, the presence of folklore motifs, repetitions, the use of elements of lamentations in the text are traces of the technique of oral execution. Its plot and motives are based on the traditions of the Tatar and Turkic epos. The work was heavily influenced by the dastan «Kuzy Kurpjach and Bayansylu», widespread in the 13th and 15th centuries, reflecting the nomadic life and archaic living conditions of the Turks. The version of Radlov is not without influence of the works of Sayad and Kurmash. This fact indicates a transformation in the epic creativity of the late era of the Siberian Tatars. In conclusion, it is found that the dastan variant recorded by Radlov from the Siberian Tatars should be included in one typological series with other Tatar dastans about Takhir and Zukhra. In its style, motives, typology, spirit, the Siberian epic is true to the principles of folklore based on ethnic traditions but at the same time is intertwined with individual written work.