Cendiin Damdinsuren
Together with Dashdorzhiin Nacagdorzh and S. Buyannemex, the scholar and writer C. Damdinsüren is considered one of the founders of modern Mongolian literature.
Education and Teaching
Damdinsüren received a home education from his father and grandfather, becoming familiarized with both the oral and literary traditions of Mongolia and other Asian nations. From 1933 to 1938 he studied at the University of Oriental Studies in Leningrad, Russia. He completed a master's degree between 1946 and 1950 and in 1957 obtained a doctorate. By 1970 he had become an Academician of the Academy of Sciences and a full professor. In 1986 he was awarded the prestigious "State Prize of Mongolia".
Literary Output
C. Damdinsüren's literary output began in 1927 with a series of short stories; in 1929 he wrote the long story Gollogdson xüüxen (Rejected Woman), presenting one of the common people as the main character. In the 1930s he wrote the poems "Buural eezh min' " ("Old Mommy") and "Zugaacaxaar mordson min'" ("My Outing"). His works published in the 1940s to 1960s included "Soliig sol'son n' " ("Changing the Change"), "Xeldeg gurav, xiideg ganc" ("Three who Say, One who Does"), "Chemodantai yum" ("Thing with a Suitcase"), "Xachin xurim" ("Strange Wedding") and "Xocrogdson emgeniig survalzhilsan n' " ("Interview with a Backward Old Woman"). C. Damdinsüren was also renowned as a great translator, in particular for his translations of the stories of A. S. Pushkin.
Scholarship
C. Damdinsüren dedicated great efforts to the study of Mongolian language and literature. His main research interest focused on ancient literary history; he published a modern translation of the Secret History of the Mongols in 1947, followed by annotated editions of several versions of the Geser epic, Xoyor zagalyn tuuzh (The Story of the Two Zagal) (1956), Chingis Xaany yesön örlögtei önchin xüügiin cecelsen shastir (The Wise Story of an Orphan Son of Chingis Xaan and his Nine Paladins, 1956), Ubashi xun taizhiin tuuzh (The Story of Ubashi Xun Taizh, 1956), Xuul'ch Sandagiin zoxioluud (Writings of Xuul'ch Sandag, 1957), Oyuun tülxüüriin tailbar (Commentary on the Oyuun Tülxüür, 1958) and Manduxai secnii domog (The Legend of Manduxai the Wise, 1958). One of his major contributions to the preservation and study of Mongolia's literary heritage was his anthology of Mongolian literature, Mongolyn uran zoxiolyn deezh zuun bilig orshvoi (1959). He also wrote a large number of articles and monographs of literary criticism, in addition to writing and editing the three-volume Mongolyn uran zoxiolyn toim (Survey of Mongolian Literature).
Damdinsüren performed an important role in the development of the Mongolian written language by developing the basic orthography for the Mongolian Cyrillic script. He wrote an early Russian-Mongolian dictionary (1942) along with academician Sh. Luvsanvandan, followed by several revised and expanded versions produced with A. Luvsandendev (1965-1968, 1983), and a German-Mongolian dictionary written with the German Mongolist P. Phittse.
 | In commemoration of the legacy and teachings of His Holiness Dulduit Danzanravzhaa Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi (1803-1856) I did not overbearingly sophize Nor preach with pride and arrogance But having found a sense in this world Spoke the truth of my dear heart. |   |