Amir Ali-Shir Nava'i was born in 844 A.H. in Herat, which is now in north-western Afghanistan. His father taught him his early education, then he went to further study in Samarkand. He was a man of good character, a scholar, poet, politician, mystic and commentator of the Holy Quran. He has composed many poems in Persian (about 4700 verses) and Chagatai Turkic languages, his pen name in Turkic poetry was "Nava'i" and in Persian poetry was "Fani" or "Fana'i ".
Nava'i was fond of Hafez, Sa'di, Attar, Jami and some other Persian poets, but would compose poetry in Chagatai as well. After Nava'I, it became a literary tradition to compose poetry in both Uzbek and Persian languages. To pursue his studies, he went to Samarkand and many other cities. Meanwhile, Sultan Hossein Mirza sat on the throne in Herat and summoned Nava'I to be his special assistant, and shortly after designated him as his chancellor.
After a while, he resigned from government and preferred mystic lifestyle. He was a commentator of the Holy Quran and Jar Allah Al-Zamakhshari, calls him, his master. Nava'I passed away on 906 A.H. in Herat.
He had a great knowledge of music. "Yadi Bahr" was a music style which he composed based on the sound of birds. His pieces of music are popular among Turkmens living in Iran and Uzbeks living in Fergana and Khorezm and the North Caucasus and Istanbul.
His cultural contributions in Iran, Holy Mashhad and Astan Quds Razavi in particular, are remarkable, including: edifice in Southern Aiwan, Atigh courtyard, the main entrance of Imam 'Alī ibn Mūsā al-Rezā (AS), creek in Mashhad Street from Gilas spring to Atigh courtyard and supplied water to sacred places, Farid al-Din Attar mausoleum, Ghasem al- Navar in Langar village, Band Torogh, Sang bast Caravanserai, Dizabad Caravanserai. He has also constructed different madrasas, among his most famous constructions are: Ekhlasiyeh madrasa, Shafaiyeh madrasa, Herat madrasa, Khosraviyeh madrasa in Merv.
Every year February 9 worldwide celebrates the birthday of Alisher Navoi - the great son of the Uzbek Nation, the great poet and thinker, whose creative legacy is carefully preserved and studied both in Uzbekistan and abroad.
According to a tradition, annually on February 9 hold an event, dedicated to the birthday of the great poet in the National Park of Uzbekistan.
It should be noted that Alisher Navoi's works have been widely studied in secondary schools, colleges and high schools, universities of Uzbekistan, serve as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for composers, musicians and artists.
Extant literary heritage of Navoi is large and varied - nearly 30 books of poetry, poems, scientific works and poetic treatises that fully reveal the spiritual life in Central Asia at the end of 15th century. In the years of independence his complete works in 20 volumes published in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The peak of creativity of Navoi is considered to be the famous "Khamsa" ("Quinary") - a collection of five poems "Confusion of righteous", "Leyli and Majnun", "Farhad and Shirin", "Seven Planets", "Iskander's Wall" based on the national epic - popular at that time the form of exposition of philosophical and artistic outlook. This monumental epic cycle is considered to be an invaluable example of Uzbek classical literature, which became a great monument of world literature.
Another undoubted contribution was Alisher Navoi's introduction of old Uzbek language along with Persian in creativity of literary men. Before him no one has written in this language, believing that it's too rough for poetry. Thus, the work of the poet has had an undeniable impact on development of not only Uzbekistan, but also on other Turkic-speaking literatures.
The fact that National Library of Uzbekistan, State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Opera and Ballet, Institute of Language and Literature under Academy of Sciences, Museum of Literature, a leading industrial center - city of Navoi, station of subway, streets and neighborhoods have been named after Alisher Navoi testifies that Uzbekistan carefully honor the memory of this great son of Uzbek people.
In addition, in accordance with Resolution of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to encourage students of Uzbekistan", a scholarship named after Alisher Navoi has been established for talented senior students of humanitarian faculties with excellent performance and participating in creative work.
Merits of brilliant Uzbek poet have been assessed adequately not only by Uzbek people, but by entire enlightened world, which widely celebrates 575-anniversary of his birth in these days. Works of Alisher Navoi are truly precious pearl of world treasury of knowledge. They still provoke genuine interest in the world, which is evidenced by works of poet translated into English, French, German and many other languages.
In various countries out of respect for memory of poet his monuments have been built, once again emphasizing the global importance of a rich spiritual heritage of Uzbek great ancestors, great creative potential of the Uzbek people. At present time, in recognition of outstanding thinker the streets in Almaty, Baku and Ashgabat, Prospect in Kiev are holding his name. A crater on Mercury is named after him. Monuments of outstanding poet set up in Moscow, Tokyo, Baku, Osh, bas-relief in Mazar-e Sharif.
In order to further study and microfilming of manuscript monuments of Uzbek literature, namely to identify the works of Alisher Navoi, State Museum of Literature and Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan organized scientific expeditions and trips to the most famous storerooms of the world.
Thus, from the libraries of France and England brought photocopies of the rare instances of literary heritage "Kulliyat" of Alisher Navoi, as well as artistically decorated manuscripts of his works. Miniatures for books of Navoi published by scientists have been awarded medals at international book fairs. In addition, as a result of archaeographic expeditions to foreign countries copies of manuscripts of works of Uzbek literature brought from National Library of France, British Museum, libraries "Indiana Office" and "Bodlenskoy", Windsor Royal Library and Library of University of Oxford, book funds of Afghanistan, India, Iran, Turkey and United States, including works of Alisher Navoi, which today are the heritage of Uzbek people.
Thus, the world of images and feelings of Alisher Navoi spiritualized poetry of many peoples, especially the Uzbek literature, the first great representative of which he was. After several centuries, his works remain attractive and relevant, so far as ideological basis of his creativity present humanism, justice, thoughts and aspirations of happy life for all people, faith in mind and progress.