Nado Makhmudov

Makhmudov was not only a statesman and a public figure but a writer as well. In 1959 Makhmudov published his monograph "Kurdish People", about the history of the Kurdish people beginning with their ancient history and leading up to the present. This monograph remains an important source for orientalists. Makhmudov is also an author of numerous stories, tales, essays and memoirs, which were published in Kurdish, Armenian and Russian. They were warmly received by readers from Armenia, as well as those outside of the country. Among Makhmudov's friends were distinguished Armenian writers and poets such as Avetik Isahakyan, Derenik Demirchian and Nairi Zarian.

Through the 1920s and until the very end of his life, Makhmudov lead an active political and social life, holding numerous high governmental positions: he was the head of several regions of Armenia during different periods of time. He was the minister of the municipal economy and head of the cotton trust of Armenia, as well as the deputy minister of transport. He was elected several times as a deputy to the legislatures of the USSR and Armenia. For his great achievements and contributions, he received high national awards.

Nado Khdoi Makhmudov (Armenian: Նադո Խդոի Մախմուդով, Kurdish: Nadoyê Xudo Maxmedov) (1907–1990) was a Kurdish writer and public figure of the Soviet Union.

Nado Makhmudov was born on January 1, 1907, in the village of Gharanlugh, now Martuni, in Armenia. Nado's mother, Tare, was of noble birth. She came from the family of a wealthy Kurdish landowner (bey) but, due to an illness that disfigured her face, she was forced to marry a shepherd named Khdo. After losing his father at the young age of 10, Nado became a duazho (a shepherd's aid) in order to feed his mother and his little sister, resulting in a difficult childhood.