Persian theatre
Encyclopedia
Theater background in Persia goes back to antiquity (641-1000 BC). The first initiation of theater and phenomena of acting in people of the land could be traced in ceremonial theaters to glorify legendary and national heroes and humiliate the enemy like "Soug Sivash" or "Mogh Koshi" (Megakhouni), and also dances and theater narrations, musical history of mythological and love stories that have been reported by Herodotos and Gezenphon.
tic performance arts popular before the advent of cinema in Persia. A few examples include:
Kheimeh-shab-bazi is the Persian traditional puppetry which is performed in a small chamber. There are two people involved in the performance: a musical performer and a person called morshed. The dialogue is between morshed and the puppets. The method of performance, its characters and the techniques used in writing the puppet show make it unique and distinguish it from other types of puppetry. Also, a new genre of Iranian puppetry emerged during Qajar era. Puppetry is still very common in Iran. Rostam and Sohrab puppet opera
is an example of the most notable performance in modern day Iran.
Ta'zieh and Naqqali are traditional Persian theatrical genres in which the drama
is conveyed wholly or predominantly through music and singing. Tazieh dates before the Islamic era and the tragedy
of Siavash
in Shahnameh
is one of the best examples.
In Persian tradition, Tazieh and Parde-khani, inspired by historical and religious events, symbolize epic spirit and resistance. The common theme is the hero tales of love and sacrifice, and of resistance against the evil.
While in the west the two major genres of dramas have been comedy
and tragedy
, in Persia (Iran), Tazieh seems to be the dominant genre. Considered as Persian opera, Tazieh resembles the European Opera
in many respects.
.
(1948 - 2010, Tajikistan) has brought renewal to theatre in Tajikistan
through his approach to the creative reworking of an eclectic repertoire. He has created performances based on sources as varied as Rumi, Zoroastrian and Koranic texts, Sufi mystics and plays by Molière and Bulgakov, for example a Tajik King Lear incorporating 10 th century Persian verses.
Genres
There were many dramaDrama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
tic performance arts popular before the advent of cinema in Persia. A few examples include:
- Khaymeshab Bazi (Puppet shows)
- Saye-bazi (Shadow plays)
- Rouhozi (Comical acts)
- Ta'zieh (Shi'i martyr plays)
Kheimeh-shab-bazi is the Persian traditional puppetry which is performed in a small chamber. There are two people involved in the performance: a musical performer and a person called morshed. The dialogue is between morshed and the puppets. The method of performance, its characters and the techniques used in writing the puppet show make it unique and distinguish it from other types of puppetry. Also, a new genre of Iranian puppetry emerged during Qajar era. Puppetry is still very common in Iran. Rostam and Sohrab puppet opera
Rostam and Sohrab (opera)
Rostam and Sohrab is an opera by Loris Tjeknavorian. It is based on Shahnameh. Its composition took 25 years. In 1963, Professor Carl Orff granted Loris Tjeknavorian a scholarship, which allowed him to reside in Salzburg and to complete his opera in Austria....
is an example of the most notable performance in modern day Iran.
Ta'zieh and Naqqali are traditional Persian theatrical genres in which the drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
is conveyed wholly or predominantly through music and singing. Tazieh dates before the Islamic era and the tragedy
Tragedy
Tragedy is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure. While most cultures have developed forms that provoke this paradoxical response, tragedy refers to a specific tradition of drama that has played a unique and important role historically in the self-definition of...
of Siavash
Siavash
Siavash or Syavash is a Persian male given name.The following people have the given name Siavash:*Siyâvash, a character in the Persian epic Shahnameh*Siavash Alamouti, Iranian scientist*Siavash Akbarpour, Iranian footballer...
in Shahnameh
Shahnameh
The Shahnameh or Shah-nama is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c.977 and 1010 AD and is the national epic of Iran and related societies...
is one of the best examples.
In Persian tradition, Tazieh and Parde-khani, inspired by historical and religious events, symbolize epic spirit and resistance. The common theme is the hero tales of love and sacrifice, and of resistance against the evil.
While in the west the two major genres of dramas have been comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
and tragedy
Tragedy
Tragedy is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure. While most cultures have developed forms that provoke this paradoxical response, tragedy refers to a specific tradition of drama that has played a unique and important role historically in the self-definition of...
, in Persia (Iran), Tazieh seems to be the dominant genre. Considered as Persian opera, Tazieh resembles the European Opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
in many respects.
Contemporary Persian theatre
Iran
The Iranian professional theatre movement is especially active in Iran’s main city, TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
.
Tajikistan
Farroukh QasimFarroukh Qasim
Farroukh Qasim is a Tajik actor and Persian theatre director from Tajikistan. In 2004, he was a laureate of the international Prince Claus Awards for having "brought renewal to theatre in Tajikistan through his approach to the creative reworking of an eclectic repertoire".-Overview:Farroukh Qasim...
(1948 - 2010, Tajikistan) has brought renewal to theatre in Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Tajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
through his approach to the creative reworking of an eclectic repertoire. He has created performances based on sources as varied as Rumi, Zoroastrian and Koranic texts, Sufi mystics and plays by Molière and Bulgakov, for example a Tajik King Lear incorporating 10 th century Persian verses.
External links
A brief history of Persian theatre (broken!)- Persian Theatre in Tajikistan (BBC Persian)
- Iran Theatre
- Iran Theatre
- Theater industry is as alive as film, January 21, 2000, Iranian.com article
- Theatre in Iran, 1944-53, a pictorial history