I’m watching this fascinating documentary about Khayam’s life and works. It’s called “Khayam: The Man of Many Talents”. It explores his achievements in poetry, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. It also reveals his challenges and controversies in a turbulent era. It’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about this remarkable man. #KhayamDocumentary
I’m listening to this beautiful song based on Khayam’s poem. It’s called “The Moving Finger Writes” by Sting. It’s a haunting and melancholy tune that captures the essence of Khayam’s philosophy. He believes that everything is predetermined by fate, and we have no control over our destiny. #KhayamSongs
I’m feeling inspired by this quote from Khayam: “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” He reminds us to enjoy the present and not worry about the past or the future. He also teaches us to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, like a cup of wine or a rose. #KhayamQuotes
Did you know that Khayam was also a brilliant mathematician? He contributed to the fields of algebra, geometry, and number theory. He even found a general method for solving cubic equations, which was a major achievement at the time. He was truly a master of both arts and sciences. #KhayamFacts
I just finished reading the Rubaiyat of Khayam, and I’m amazed by his poetic genius. He expresses profound thoughts about life, death, love, and fate in simple and elegant verses. His words are timeless and universal. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry. #Rubaiyat
Today is the birthday of Khayam, one of the greatest minds of the medieval era. He wrote beautiful poems, solved complex equations, and studied astronomy and philosophy. Let’s celebrate his legacy and wisdom. #KhayamDay
یا رب تو جمال آن مه مهر انگیز
آراسته ای به سنبل و عنبر نیز
پس حکم چنان کنی که در وی منگر
پس حکم چنان بود که کجدار و مریض
***
O Lord, you made the beauty of that lovely mist
Adorned with hyacinth and amber as well
So you rule me not to look at her
So the rules has problems in this matter
آراسته ای به سنبل و عنبر نیز
پس حکم چنان کنی که در وی منگر
پس حکم چنان بود که کجدار و مریض
***
O Lord, you made the beauty of that lovely mist
Adorned with hyacinth and amber as well
So you rule me not to look at her
So the rules has problems in this matter
Khayyam
افسوس که نامه جوانی طی شد
و آن تازه بهار زندگانی دی شد
آن مرغ طرب که نام او بود شباب
افسوس ندانم که کی آمد کی شد
***
Alas, the letter of youth passed
And that fresh spring life became winter
That singing bird whose name was youth
Alas, I don't know when it came, when left
آن روز که توسن فلک زین کردند
و آرایش مشتری و پروین کردند
این بود نصیب ما ز دیون قضا
ما را چه گنه قسمت ما این کردند
***
The day the world was created
And placed the planets Jupiter and Venus in their orbits
This was our share of the fate that was determined for us
We had no role in determining this fate
Khayyam
اسرار ازل را نه تو دانی و نه من
وین حرف معما نه تو خوانی و نه من
هست از پس پرده گفتگوی من و تو
چون پرده برون بر افتد نه تو مانی و نه من
***
Neither you nor I know the secrets of eternity
And, neither you nor I can read the words of the riddle
There is a conversation between you and me
Because the curtain falls, remain neither you nor me
Saadi Shirazi was a 13th-century Persian poet and prose writer who is known for his moral and ethical teachings. He wrote two famous books: the Bustan, or the Orchard, which is a collection of stories and poems on various subjects, and the Gulistan, or the Rose Garden, which is a collection of anecdotes and fables. He is regarded as one of the greatest Persian classical authors
Some of the famous quotes by Saadi Shirazi are:
Saadi Shirazi was one of the greatest Persian poets and prose writers of the medieval period. He was born in Shiraz, Iran, around 1210 and died there in 1291 or 1292. He traveled widely in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and wrote about his experiences and observations in his works. He is famous for his two books, the Bustan (The Orchard) and the Gulistan (The Rose Garden), which contain stories, poems, and moral teachings. He is also known for his lyrical and mystical poems, which are often quoted in Persian culture and literature. He is regarded as a master of speech and a sage of wisdom.
One Thousand Nights and One is a collection of stories from various cultures and regions, such as India, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece. The stories are set within a frame story, where a king named Shahryar marries and kills a new wife every night, until he meets Shahrazad, who tells him a story every night and leaves it unfinished, so he spares her life to hear the end. The stories are full of magic, adventure, romance, and humor, and include famous characters such as Aladdin, Ali Baba, and Sindbad. The book is also known as The Arabian Nights or Alf laylah wa laylah in Arabic.
Iranian Art and Architecture: From the 13th to the 18th Century by Sheila R. Canby: This is a comprehensive and illustrated survey of the artistic and architectural heritage of Iran from the Mongol invasion to the Qajar dynasty. It covers the development and diversity of Iranian art in various media, such as painting, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and architecture. It also explores the cultural and historical context of Iranian art, as well as its influences and interactions with other regions.
Iranian Cinema Uncensored: Contemporary Film-makers since the Islamic Revolution by Shiva Rahbaran: This is a unique collection of twelve first-hand interviews with the most renowned film-makers living and working in contemporary Iran, such as Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, Asghar Farhadi, and Mohsen Makhmalbaf. This book provides insights into film-making within a society often at odds with its rulers, and explores the themes, styles, and challenges of Iranian cinema.
The history of Persian calligraphy is a long and rich one, dating back to the pre-Islamic era when Zoroastrian-influenced Persian culture valued beautiful and clear writings. After the introduction of Islam in the 7th century, Persians adapted the Arabic alphabet to Persian and developed the contemporary Persian alphabet, which has 32 letters. Around one thousand years ago, six genres of Iranian calligraphy were created, namely “Tahqiq”, “Reyhan”, “Sols”, “Naskh”, “Toqi” and “Reqa”. These genres were common for four centuries in Persia. In the 12th century, the “Naskh” and “Reqa” styles were combined and a new genre of Persian calligraphy named “Ta’liq” was invented.
One of the most original and innovative works of Persian literature is the Akhlaq-e Nasiri, or the Nasirean Ethics, by Nasir al-Din Tusi. It is a philosophical treatise that deals with the principles and practices of ethics, politics, and economics. It is based on the Aristotelian and Islamic traditions, but also incorporates elements from other cultures and religions. It is a masterpiece of rational and universal thought. #Akhlaq #Tusi #Philosophy.
If you are interested in the history and culture of Iran, you should read the Tarikh-e Beyhaghi, or the History of Beyhaqi, by Abu’l-Fazl Beyhaqi. It is a historical chronicle that covers the events of the Ghaznavid dynasty from 1030 to 1041. It is written in a lively and elegant style, with vivid descriptions, dialogues, and anecdotes. It is one of the finest examples of Persian prose. #Tarikh #Beyhaqi #Ghaznavid
One of the most influential works of Persian literature is the Masnavi, or the Spiritual Couplets, by Rumi. It is a long poem that consists of six books and more than 25,000 verses. It is a comprehensive and profound exposition of the Sufi philosophy and practice, covering topics such as ethics, theology, cosmology, psychology, and mysticism. It is considered the Quran in the Persian language. #Masnavi #Rumi #Sufi
Hafez was a 14th-century Persian poet who is widely admired for his lyrical and mystical poems. He is said to have memorized the Quran, the works of Rumi, and other Persian classics, hence his name Hafez, which means “the memorizer”. His poems are often used for divination and guidance, as he is believed to have a connection with the unseen world. #Hafez #Lyrical #Mystical
Saadi was a 13th-century Persian poet and prose writer who is known for his moral and ethical teachings. He wrote two famous books: the Bustan, or the Orchard, which is a collection of stories and poems on various subjects, and the Gulistan, or the Rose Garden, which is a collection of anecdotes and fables. He is regarded as one of the greatest Persian classical authors. #Saadi #Bustan #Gulistan
Have you ever heard of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam? It is a collection of quatrains, or four-line poems, attributed to the 11th-century Persian mathematician, astronomer, and poet Omar Khayyam. The poems deal with themes such as fate, free will, happiness, and mortality. They have been translated into many languages and have inspired many artists and writers. #Rubaiyat #Khayyam #Quatrain
Rumi is one of the most widely read and translated poets in the world. He was a 13th-century Persian mystic and poet who wrote in Persian, Arabic, and Turkish. His poems are full of passion, joy, and love for the divine. He is the founder of the Mevlevi order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, who practice a form of meditation through music and dance. #Rumi #Mystic #Love
One of the most famous and beloved works of Persian literature is the Shahnameh, or the Book of Kings, by Ferdowsi. It is an epic poem that tells the stories of the ancient kings and heroes of Iran, from the creation of the world to the Islamic conquest. It is considered the national epic of Iran and a masterpiece of world literature. #Shahnameh #Ferdowsi #Epic
If you are looking for some inspiration, why not read some of the works of the great Persian poets, such as Rumi, Ferdowsi, Hafez, Saadi, Khayyam, and many more? They have expressed the beauty, wisdom, love, and spirituality of the Persian culture in their verses. #PersianPoetry #Inspiration #Beauty
Did you know that Persian literature is one of the oldest and richest literatures in the world? It spans over two-and-a-half millennia and has influenced many other cultures and languages. #PersianLiterature #Culture #History
There are many talented and renowned Iranian actors and actresses who have starred in various movies and TV shows, both in Iran and abroad. Some of them are:
The Persian garden is a type of landscape garden that originated in ancient Iran and reflects the ideals of art, philosophy, religion, and culture of the Persian civilization. The Persian garden is based on the concept of the Chahar Bagh, or the four-fold garden, which symbolizes the four Zoroastrian elements of sky, earth, water, and plants. The Persian garden is also designed to create a paradise on earth, with water playing a vital role for both irrigation and ornamentation. The Persian garden has influenced the art of garden design in many other cultures, such as India, Spain, and Morocco.
Persian Mythology by John R. Hinnells: This is an informative and illustrated introduction to the myths and legends of ancient Persia. It covers the creation stories, the gods and goddesses, the heroes and villains, and the cosmology and eschatology of the Zoroastrian religion. It also explores the connections and influences of Persian mythology on other cultures and religions.
Iran: A Modern History by Abbas Amanat: This is a comprehensive and authoritative history of Iran from the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century to the present day. It covers the political, social, cultural, and intellectual aspects of Iran’s development, as well as its interactions with the regional and global powers. It is a rich and nuanced account of Iran’s past and present.
Bahman Ghobadi: He is a Kurdish-Iranian director and producer, who is known for his films that depict the lives and struggles of the Kurdish people, such as A Time for Drunken Horses, Turtles Can Fly, and No One Knows About Persian Cats. He won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes and many other awards.
Jafar Panahi: He is a courageous and influential filmmaker, who has faced censorship and persecution from the Iranian authorities for his critical and socially conscious films, such as The Circle, Offside, and Taxi. He won the Golden Bear at Berlin and many other prizes.
Asghar Farhadi: He is a prominent director and screenwriter, who is known for his realistic and complex dramas, such as A Separation, The Salesman, and Everybody Knows. He won two Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film and many other honors.
Abbas Kiarostami: He was a pioneer of the Iranian New Wave cinema, who directed acclaimed films such as Close-Up, Taste of Cherry, and Certified Copy. He won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and many other awards.
Simin Behbahani: She was a poet and activist who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature twice. She wrote in the classical Persian form of ghazal, but with a modern and critical perspective. She wrote about topics such as women’s rights, democracy, and war. She wrote poems such as “My Country, I Will Build You Again” and “Stop Throwing My Country to the Wind”
Homayoun Shajarian: He is the son of Mohammad Reza Shajarian and a prominent singer and musician in his own right. He has followed his father’s footsteps and sung many classical poems by Persian poets, such as Rumi, Hafez, Saadi, and Baba Taher.
Parisa: She is another Ostad of traditional Persian music and a master of the Avaz vocal style. She has performed many classical poems by Persian poets, such as Khayyam, Attar, Nezami, and Roudaki.
Simin Ghanem: She is one of the most popular female singers in Iran, who started her career in the 1960s. She has sung many poems by contemporary Persian poets, such as Forough Farrokhzad, Ahmad Shamlou, and Sohrab Sepehri.
Shahram Nazeri: He is a Kurdish-Iranian singer and composer who is known as the “Pavarotti of Iran”. He is famous for his interpretations of Rumi’s poems, which he sings in Kurdish and Persian languages.
Mohammad Reza Shajarian: He was one of the most renowned Iranian musicians and an Ostad of traditional Persian music. He sang many poems by Rumi, Hafez, Saadi, Ferdowsi, and other Persian poets in his unique vocal style.
These are just a few examples of the many Persian songs that draw inspiration from Persian literature. The rich and vibrant tradition of Persian poetry has provided a wealth of material for composers and lyricists over the centuries, ensuring that Persian music continues to be a source of beauty, meaning, and inspiration.
Sorkhi-ye Do Ghadam ("The Redness of Two Steps") by Shajarian: This evocative song, performed by Shajarian, is based on a poem by Rumi. The lyrics express the yearning for spiritual transformation and the desire to transcend the limitations of the physical world.
Donyaye Man ("My World") by Googoosh: This introspective song, performed by Googoosh, is set to a poem by Rumi. The lyrics explore the complexities of the human experience, including love, loss, and the quest for spiritual enlightenment.
