Persian Poetry from classic to modern Manu Malek Ph

Persian Poetry: from classic to modern Manu Malek, Ph.D. Industry Professor of Computer Science and Telecommunications Management http://www.cs.stevens.edu/~mmalek/ Humanities Forum Stevens Institute of Technology April 13, 2005 4/13/05 M. Malek 1 Outline A quick geographical/historical perspective on Iran (Persia) Background on the Persian language Persian poetry - its structure and styles Some prominent classical poets with samples of their work A short musical piece Some contemporary and modern poets and a sample of their work 4/13/05 M. Malek 2 Iran vs. Persia Iran: “the land of Aryans”, a name used by natives for 1000s of years Aryans: a branch of Indo-European people who migrated to the Iranian plateau some time in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC Persia: Around the 6th century BC, the Persian Empire included 20 provinces, each with its own king The seat of “King of Kings” was called Pars (Persia) The Greeks referred to the capital as Persepolis 4/13/05 M. Malek Remains of Persepolis (Shiraz, Iran) 3 Iran - 6th Century Source: National Geographic 4/13/05 M. Malek 4 Iran - 17th Century Source: National Geographic 4/13/05 M. Malek 5 The Persian Language (Farsi) A branch of Indo-European languages An old form of this language, called Pahlavi, prevailed as early as 6th century BC. In the 2nd century BC, a new alphabet, known also as Pahlavi, was created which remained in use until the 7th century. Since the 10th century, Persian has been written in extended Arabic script. However, Persian is different from Arabic. Despite invasions by the Arabs and the Mongols, Persian remained as the literal, cultural, royal, and legal language. Arabic became the religious and scientific language. Many Persian philosophers and scientists, like Avicenna, Farabi, Kharazmi, Razi, and Khayyam, wrote their scientific works in Arabic. 4/13/05 M. Malek 6 Persian Poetry There is a vast treasure of Persian poetry. I have selected a few great Persian poets whose works have been documented. You’ll hear recitations of some of their poems in English Musical poetry of Rudaki Epic story-telling of Ferdowsi Doubt and Hedonism of Khayyam (Love) story-telling of Nezami Union with God through the poetry of Rumi Humanism of Sa’adi Symbolic mysticism of Hafez 4/13/05 M. Malek 7 Styles of Persian Poetry There are several poetry styles. The classical/traditional styles follow a strict rule and structure. Here are some popular styles: Masnavi - a series of couplets where the last word(s) of each couplet rhyme. Ghazal (ode) - usually 6 to 10 lines (couplets) where the last word(s) of the first couplet and all the second parts of the following couplets rhyme. Quatrain (Robayi) - has two couplets, where the first, second, and the 4th piece rhyme. New Poetry - a modern style of poetry. It has a harmonious cadence, but does not follow the strict rules regarding rhyme and the number of syllables. Using metaphors and symbolism is very popular in Persian poetry. 4/13/05 M. Malek 8 Musical Poetry of Rudaki (10th Century ) Rudaki is the first major Persian poet for whom there is a body of work. He was the court poet of the Samanid kings. He is famous for his lyric poems. Following are a few verses from a Rudaki’s ghazal: “Reunion after Separation” (translated by A. V. William Jackson): Of the pangs of separation I have suffered and borne more, Than, through all the distant ages, any mortal being bore; And my heart had quite forgotten all the charms of union sweet, But what joy ‘tis, after severance, with one’s idol to meet. 4/13/05 M. Malek 9 The Epic Story Teller: Ferdowsi (940 – 1020) Ferdowsi was born and is buried in Toos, in Khorasan province in north eastern Iran. He is known for his epic poetry and nationalistic old Persian stories in his Shah-Nameh (Book of Kings). Shah-Nameh is considered the greatest work in Persian literature and poetry. He rightly says: “I endeavored for 30 years and preserved the Persian language for all time.” Ferdowsi’s tomb, Toos 4/13/05 M. Malek 10 The Hedonist Poet: Khayyam He was born in Neishabur, also in Khorasan. He was primarily a mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. He questions the purpose of creation and is inclined towards the philosophies of Epicurism and Hedonism. (1048 – 1131) Khayyam’s tomb, Neishabur 4/13/05 M. Malek 11 A Robayi by Omar Khayyam The most famous Khayyam quatrain in English is the following Fitzgerald’s translation: A Book of verses underneath the bough, A jug of wine, a loaf of bread - and thou; Beside me singing in the wilderness, Oh, wilderness were Paradise enow. 4/13/05 M. Malek 12 (Love) Story Teller: Nezami Nezami was born in Ganjeh in present-day Azarbaijan. He is considered one of the greatest Persian poets, comparable to Ferdowsi and Rumi. He is acclaimed by many nations; among them the former Soviet Union. The fact is, however, that Nezami was a poet securely planted in the Persian tradition. (1141 – 1218) His has written five long poems: Makhzanol-Asrar (The Treasury of Secrets) Khosrow-o-Sheerin (a love story) Leili-o-Majnoon (another love story) Eskandarnameh (The Book of Alexander) Haft-Peykar (The Seven Wise Princesses) Leili-o-Majnoon Haft-Peikar 4/13/05 M. Malek 13 Sufi Master: Attar (1157 – 1229) Attar also lived in Neishabur, Khorasan. He wrote about the mystical search for God, and traveled extensively in search of knowledge. His most famous work is Manteq-o-Tair (The Logic of the Birds). All the birds of the world assembled together looking for a king. They’re told that they do have a king – the Simorgh, but that he lives far away and the journey to him is difficult and hazardous. They fly off to find their king, but their number gradually diminishes due to hardships of the journey. Finally, 30 birds make it to the court of the Simorgh. But they don’t see any bird-king, realizing that their king, the Simorgh, is none other than themselves! 4/13/05 M. Malek 14 Another Sufi Master: Rumi Rumi was born in Balkh, in today’s Afghanistan His father immigrated westward and his family finally settled in Konya, in present-day Turkey. At the age of 38, he met a wandering darvish, Shams of Tabriz. (1207 – 1273) Rumi’s tomb, Konya This changed his life. He gave up the Islamic religious sciences, founded the Mowlavi order of darvishes, and composed the two works: • • The Divan of Shams-e-Tabrizi Masnavi Rumi believed that oneness with God was attainable through acts of ecstatic devotion. 4/13/05 M. Malek 15 Persian Music Poetry is also central to Persian music. Indeed, it is rather unusual to hear a musical performance without a singer. Rumi’s ghazal sung by Shajarian. My rough literal translation: I’ve come for your love; I’ve come quietly like the soul and wisdom. If you don’t accept me, I’ll just enjoy the sight of your beautiful self. The arrow of your love cracks mountains; but I don’t intend to use a shield for protection. 4/13/05 M. Malek 16 The Humanist Poet: Sa’adi Sa’adi is one of the greatest figures in classical Persian literature. He was born in Shiraz and is buried there. He traveled through the Middle East, North Africa, and India for about 30 years. The following translation of Sa’di’s humanistic poem adorns the entrance to the UN headquarters in Geneva: All human beings are in truth akin; All in creation share one origin. When fate allots a member pangs and pains, No ease for other members then remains. If, unperturbed, another's grief canst scan, Thou are not worthy of the name of man. (13-14th Century) Sa’adi’s tomb, Shiraz 4/13/05 M. Malek 17 The Mystic Poet: Hafez (1346 – 1411) Hafez, another poet from Shiraz, is honored as the greatest writer of ghazals. He wrote in the tradition of Sufism, but he was not a true Sufi. He used metaphors and sophisticated symbolic mysticism in his poems. Hafez is critical of hypocrisy and lack of sincerity. A poem by Hafez (translated by R. M. Rehder): Her hair in disarray, lips laughing, Drunk in the sweet of revelry, Singing of love, she came, flask in hand. Disheveled and her clothes rent, Last midnight by my bed she bent, Her lips curved in regret. I saw sorrow quarrel in her eyes, As her whispers spoke softly, “Is our old love asleep?” Given such a wine before dawn, A lover is an infidel to love, If he does not drink. O how many vows of repentance are undone, By the smile of wine and the tresses of a girl, Like the vows of Hafez. Hafez’s tomb, Shiraz M. Malek 18 4/13/05 Jami (15th Century) Jami, born in 1414 near Samarkand, is considered the last great classical Persian poet. Jami’s book of Yousof-o-Zoleykha is one of his best works and one of the best treatments of the theme of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (known as Zoleykha). Here are the opening three verses (translated by Ralph Griffith): Love is ill suited with peace and rest, Scorn and reproaches become him best. Rebuke gives strength to his tongue, and blame, Wakes the dull spark to a brighter flame. Blame is the censor of love’s bazaar, It suffers no rust the pure splendor to mar. 4/13/05 M. Malek 19 Contemporary Persian Poets The technique of using metaphors and symbolism is still popular with Persian poets. Some contemporary poets have used it in veiled political expression. Some prominent contemporary poets are: Traditional style: Aref, Bahar, Eshghi, Etasami, Shahriar, Sheida, Golzar, Sayeh Traditional and New Poetry: Farokhzad, Sepehri, Moshiri New Poetry: Yushij, Akhaven-e-Sales, Shamloo 4/13/05 M. Malek 20 Contemporary Persian Poets (cont’d) Eshghi, from Tehran, lived in the early part of the 20th century. He was a passionate nationalist, wrote political poems and satire. Some of his poems were used in Persian operas as well as in songs. He was assassinated at the age of 31. Sayeh, another contemporary Persian poet, is about 75 years old and writes ghazals in the traditional symbolic style. Here is my rough literal translation of a few verses from a ghazal written by Sayeh on love: O’ love, all excuses are from you, I’m usually quiet, this singing is from you. I don’t know why I’m sad, This uncontrollable crying is from you. I’m not concerned about my ship at sea, The shore is from you, the storm is from you. I’ll pass silent and obscure (unknown), The eternal song is from you. 4/13/05 M. Malek 21