NATAVAN - THE PRINCESS OF KARABAKH
by Togrul Efendi
In museum of A.Duma in Paris there is a hand crafted , beaded tobacco-pouch , personally embroidered by the princess of Karabakh khanate Natavan. This souvenir was peresented to the writer at one of the ceremonial parties during his trip through the Caucasus in 1958. Duma was fascinated by this new thing and called it the most "valuable gift".
In the history of Azerbaijani culture , however , Natavan is known more as a poetess. Her poems, imbued with the lyricism of love , are highly appreciated by connoisseurs of oriental poetry.Natavan Khurshud Banu Mekhti Guli gizi was born in 1832 in Shusha , a fortified town founded by her grandfather Panakh khan .Here in Shusha the princess , being the last representative of the Karabakh reigning house , received her education. (She knew several Oriental and European languages and had a good understanding of music.) Being versatile , Natavan was interested in various aspects of the life and requirements of the citizens of her country. She had the first stud farm , established the first water pipe-line in Shusha and did a great deal in the fields of health and education.
At the end of the 19-th century there were than 10 scientific and artistic societes in Shusha. Khurshud Banu (The Sun Beauty) , for example , had a progressive outlook and was surrounded by bohemianism. The musical and poetry circle "Mejlis Uns" led by her reflected the values of the New Time of Enlightenment. These are the same tendencies of leaning towards the style of European culture as were seen in the drawings , decorative embroideries , etc.
Let us consider what was written about her creations by her contemporaries. The poet Hassan Yuzbashi , praising in poems the marvelous embroideries made by Natavan used to say that "he could not imagine that the arm of a human being was able to create this masterpiece deserving the glory of the best artists of the East such as Behzada and Mani".
From the publications in the "Kavkaz" newspaper of the 1882 we know that Natavan was a participant of some All-Russian and European exhibitions and several times she received high awards.