Mahtumkulu, recognized as the greatest poet of Turkmen literature, was born in the 1724 and passed away in the 1807. His father, Dövletmemmet Azadi (1700-1760), is one of the prominent representatives of Turkmen literature of the 18th century. Mahtumkulu was a poet and social leader who was not indifferent to the social problems of his era and tried to lead and give hope to his society. The poems of Mahtumkulu cover all aspects of Turkmen way of life. He was the voice of his people. Turkmen union, Turkmen spirit and consciousness, religion and Sufism, the comparison of good person and bad person, criticism of the individual and society, social justice, love, bad habits, education, helpfulness, and advice were the main themes of his poems. In this study, Mahtumkulu’s approach to the society and individuals, who make the society, will be addressed through his critical poems.

Anahtar Kelimeler
Turkmen literature, Mahtumkulu, critical poem.