Varzesh-e Pahlavani
Encyclopedia
Varzesh-e Bastani is a traditional style of folk wrestling
practiced in Iran
.
Varzesh-e Bastani combines elements of the pre-Islamic Iranian culture
with the spirituality of Sufism
. It places emphasis on spiritual and moral purity, participants being expected to be truthful, and good tempered and only then strong in body.
The principles of unpretentiousness are exemplified by a verse recited at many meetings: "Learn modesty, if you desire knowledge. A highland would never be irrigated by river." (Kanz ol-Haghayegh)
were held at the Shah's court every 21 March (the Iranian new year
). The sport declined following the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty
in the 1920s and the subsequent modernisation campaigns of Reza Shah
, who saw the sport as a relic of Qajarite ritual
.
Reza Shah's son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
attempted to revive the tradition and practiced it himself, and during his reign, the last national competitions were held. Following the Iranian Revolution
of 1979, the tradition has lost some of its popularity.
In recent years, the sport appears to be gaining popularity in the countries adjacent to Iran, including Iraq
and Afghanistan
.
nasium in which the Varzesh-e Bastani is practiced is known as the Zurkhaneh or Zourkhaneh , literally "house of strength". These 'houses of strength' are covered structures with a single opening in the ceiling, with a sunken octagonal or circular pit in the center (gaud).Around the gaud is a section for the audience, one for the musicians, and one for the athletes.
, such as those of the Shahnameh
, which in the opinion of many other Zurkhanehs can negate the true spiritual goal of Varzesh-e Bastani.
The main part of a Varzesh-e Bastani session is dedicated to gymnastics
or calisthenics
, notably using a pair of wooden clubs
(mil) and metal shields (sang), and bow-shaped iron weights (kaman). The exercises also involve acrobatics like Sufi whirling
and juggling. The sessions end with submission wrestling
known as the Koshti Pahlavani.
Renowned Pahlavans include:
Folk wrestling
A folk wrestling style is a traditional wrestling discipline which may or may not be codified as a modern sport. Most human cultures have developed their own sort of grappling style unique from other styles practiced...
practiced in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.
Varzesh-e Bastani combines elements of the pre-Islamic Iranian culture
Culture of Iran
To best understand Iran, Afghanistan, their related societies and their people, one must first attempt to acquire an understanding of their culture. It is in the study of this area where the Persian identity optimally expresses itself...
with the spirituality of Sufism
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
. It places emphasis on spiritual and moral purity, participants being expected to be truthful, and good tempered and only then strong in body.
The principles of unpretentiousness are exemplified by a verse recited at many meetings: "Learn modesty, if you desire knowledge. A highland would never be irrigated by river." (Kanz ol-Haghayegh)
History
Modern Varzesh-e Bastani as practiced today emerges in the 19th century, during the reign of the Qajar king Nassar al-Din Shah (1848–1896). Performances inspired by Persian mythologyPersian mythology
Persian mythology are traditional tales and stories of ancient origin, some involving extraordinary or supernatural beings. Drawn from the legendary past of the Iranian cultural continent which especially consists of the state of Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Central Asia, they reflect the...
were held at the Shah's court every 21 March (the Iranian new year
Nowruz
Nowrūz is the name of the Iranian New Year in Iranian calendars and the corresponding traditional celebrations. Nowruz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year....
). The sport declined following the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty
Pahlavi dynasty
The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi (reg. 1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty ...
in the 1920s and the subsequent modernisation campaigns of Reza Shah
Reza Shah
Rezā Shāh, also known as Rezā Shāh Pahlavi and Rezā Shāh Kabir , , was the Shah of the Imperial State of Iran from December 15, 1925, until he was forced to abdicate by the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran on September 16, 1941.In 1925, Reza Shah overthrew Ahmad Shah Qajar, the last Shah of the Qajar...
, who saw the sport as a relic of Qajarite ritual
Qajar dynasty
The Qajar dynasty was an Iranian royal family of Turkic descent who ruled Persia from 1785 to 1925....
.
Reza Shah's son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
attempted to revive the tradition and practiced it himself, and during his reign, the last national competitions were held. Following the Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
of 1979, the tradition has lost some of its popularity.
In recent years, the sport appears to be gaining popularity in the countries adjacent to Iran, including Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
The Zurkhaneh
The traditional gymGym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium in which the Varzesh-e Bastani is practiced is known as the Zurkhaneh or Zourkhaneh , literally "house of strength". These 'houses of strength' are covered structures with a single opening in the ceiling, with a sunken octagonal or circular pit in the center (gaud).Around the gaud is a section for the audience, one for the musicians, and one for the athletes.
Rituals and practice
The Varzesh-e Bastani rituals mimic the rituals and traditions of Sufi orders, as evidenced by terminology like murshed "master" (beating the drum and reciting poetry), pish kesvat "leader", taj "crown" or faqr "poverty". The ethics involved are also similar to Sufi ideals, emphasizing purity of heart. Every session begins with pious praise of prophet and his family. In less religion-oriented Zurkhanehs, these elements are replaced by the recital of stories from Iranian mythologyIranian mythology
Iranian mythologies include:*Persian mythology*Scythian mythology*Ossetic mythology...
, such as those of the 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...
, which in the opinion of many other Zurkhanehs can negate the true spiritual goal of Varzesh-e Bastani.
The main part of a Varzesh-e Bastani session is dedicated to gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
or calisthenics
Calisthenics
Calisthenics are a form of aerobic exercise consisting of a variety of simple, often rhythmical, movements, generally using multiple equipment or apparatus. They are intended to increase body strength and flexibility with movements such as bending, jumping, swinging, twisting or kicking, using...
, notably using a pair of wooden clubs
Indian clubs
Indian clubs belong to a category of exercise equipment that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe, the British Commonwealth and the United States. They comprise bowling-pin shaped wooden "clubs" of varying sizes and weights, which are swung in certain patterns as part...
(mil) and metal shields (sang), and bow-shaped iron weights (kaman). The exercises also involve acrobatics like Sufi whirling
Sufi whirling
Sufi whirling , is a form of Sama or physicaly active meditation which orginated among Sufis, and which is still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes aim to reach the source of all...
and juggling. The sessions end with submission wrestling
Submission wrestling
Submission wrestling or Combat wrestling in Japan, is a formula of competition and a general term describing the aspect of martial arts and combat sports that focus on clinch and ground fighting with the aim of obtaining a submission using submission holds...
known as the Koshti Pahlavani.
Ranks and grades
The lowest rank is that of nowcheh or novice, followed by the nowkhasteh or advanced student, and finally the pahlavan or champion. There are several champion grades:- Pahlavan-e Pahlavanan, "Pahlavan of Pahlavans" which included court-sponsored sportsmen.
- Pahlavan-e Zoorgar, the master wrestlers or strong men.
- Pahlavn-e Keshvar, the acclaimed pahlavans including many of Iran's wrestlers at World and Olympic events (such as Gholamreza TakhtiGholamreza TakhtiGholamreza Takhti is the most famous wrestler in Iranian history. He was most famous for his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship, and he continues to symbolize the essence of sport to the Iranian people.- Early life :...
), but also winners of the pahlavani bazoo band armlet. - Pahlevan-e Bozorg or Bozorg Pahlavan, literally "High-" or "Grand Pahlavan", approximately equivalent to the Grand Master in Far-East Asian martial arts. This title was only accorded to very few pahlavans, such as Pourya-ye ValiPourya-ye ValiPahlavan Mahmoud Khwarazmi more commonly known as Pourya-ye Vali was an Iranian Sufi and champion. He is famous for his chivalrous behavior and his strength and is still a paradigm for Zurkhaneh athletes....
(c. 1300) and Haj Seyyed Hasan Razaz (1853–1941, also known as Pahlavan Shoja'at). - Jahan Pahlavan, "World Pahlavan", the highest rank of Pahlavani in the Iranian army before the Arab invasion. A title given to RostamRostamRostam is the national hero of Greater Iran from Zabulistan in Persian mythology and son of Zal and Rudaba. In some ways, the position of Rostam in the historical tradition is parallel to that of Surena, the hero of the Carrhae. His figure was endowed with many features of the historical...
, the legendary Pahlavan of Ferdowsi's ShahnamehShahnamehThe 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...
. The contemporary Gholamreza TakhtiGholamreza TakhtiGholamreza Takhti is the most famous wrestler in Iranian history. He was most famous for his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship, and he continues to symbolize the essence of sport to the Iranian people.- Early life :...
is another Pahlavan who is given this title.
- Early Period (before 1450):
- Abu Moslem-e Khorasani
- Ya'ghoub-e Laith-e Saffari
- Babak KhorramdinBabak KhorramdinBābak Khorram-Din was one of the main Persian revolutionary leaders of the Iranian Khorram-Dinān , which was a local freedom movement fighting the Abbasid Caliphate. Khorramdin appears to be a compound analogous to dorustdin and Behdin "Good Religion" , and are considered an offshoot of...
- Asad Kermani
- Abdul Razagh Bashtini
- Shirdel Kohneh-Savar
- Mahmoud Khwarazmi (Pahlavan-e Bozorg), was known as Pouriya-ye Vali
- Mohammad Abol-seyyed Abol-Kheyr
- Mahmoud Malani
- Darvish Mohammad Khorassani
- Middle Period (1450-1795):
- Mirza Beyk-e Kashani
- Beyk-e Khorassani
- Hossein Kord Shabestari
- Mir Baqer
- Jalal Yazdi
- Kabir-e Esfahani (Pahlavan-e Bozorg)
- Kalb-Ali Aqa Jar
- Modern period (after 1795):
- Haj Seyyed Hasan Razzaz (Pahlavan-e Bozorg), also known as Pahlavan Shoja'at.
- Ali-Asghar Yazdi
- Haj Reza-Qoli Tehrani
- Mohammad Mazar Yazdi
- Shaban Siyah Qomi
- Ebrahim Hallaj Yazdi (Pahlavan-e Bozorg) also known as Yazdi Bozorg
- Akbar Khorassani
- Abol-Qassem Qomi
- Hossein Golzar-e Kermanshahi
- Sadeq-e Qomi
- Mirza Hashem AkbarianHashem AkbarianPahlavan Mirza Hashem Akbarian was an Iranian practitioner of traditional wrestling .-Early life:He was born in Chaharsoogh Aligholi Agha Place in Isfahan, the former capital of Persia...
Tefaghi, Moblsaz Esfahani - Yazdi Kuchak (last official Pahlavan of Iran)
- Aziz Khan Rahmani/Kurdistani also known by Sanandaji (Gold Medal in 1945)
External links
- http://www.pahlavani.com/ website by Hooshyar F. Naraghi (Sportestan Publishing, Inc., 1996-2003)
- Nekoogar, Farzad (1996). Traditional Iranian Martial Arts (Varzesh-e Pahlavani)