Social criticism and artistic conflict in the dramaturgy of Abdurauf Fitrat

Abstract

This article examines the artistic representation of social criticism in the dramaturgy of Abdurauf Fitrat, one of the leading representatives of the Jadid intellectual movement in Central Asia. The study analyzes how Fitrat addressed important social issues such as ignorance, religious fanaticism, moral decline, women’s status, and social inequality through dramatic expression. Particular attention is given to the ways in which theatrical conflict functions as a means of ideological debate and social reflection. The research is based on historical-literary and artistic-analytical methods, allowing the interpretation of Fitrat’s plays within the broader cultural and intellectual context of the early twentieth century. The findings demonstrate that Fitrat’s dramaturgy not only served as an artistic form but also functioned as a powerful tool for enlightenment and social reform. His dramatic works reflect the principles of Jadid reformism, which aimed to modernize society through education, critical thinking, and civic awareness.