Xosroviduxt
Encyclopedia
Khosrovidukht was an hymnographer and poet
who lived during the 8th century. One of the earliest known women musicians, she is recorded as having been a member of the royal family, but here accounts differ as to her historical importance. Some sources hold that in the 8th-century, her brother was abducted by Muslim
Arab
s; following this, she was taken to the fortress of Ani-Kamakh, now known as Kemah
, where she lived in isolation for twenty years.
Khosrovidukht is reputed to be the composer of a šarakan
, or canonical hymn, titled "Zarmanali e Ints" ("Wondrous it is to me"). According to some sources, it honors the memory of her brother, who was assassinated in 737 for converting to Christianity. Although the subject of the piece is secular, it was sanctioned for use in services by the Armenian Church
.
A recording of the šarakan exists, performed by the Sharakan Early Music Ensemble.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
who lived during the 8th century. One of the earliest known women musicians, she is recorded as having been a member of the royal family, but here accounts differ as to her historical importance. Some sources hold that in the 8th-century, her brother was abducted by Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
s; following this, she was taken to the fortress of Ani-Kamakh, now known as Kemah
Kemah
Kemah may refer to:* Kemah in Galveston County, Texas, United States* Kemah in Erzincan Province, Turkey, a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1918 to 1919...
, where she lived in isolation for twenty years.
Khosrovidukht is reputed to be the composer of a šarakan
Sarakan
Sarakan is the brand name for a range of oral health products owned by G.R Lane Health Products Ltd.Sarakan oral health products contain the natural ingredient Salvadora Persica which is more commonly known as the toothbrush tree. It has been used for centuries in the Indian subcontinent in the...
, or canonical hymn, titled "Zarmanali e Ints" ("Wondrous it is to me"). According to some sources, it honors the memory of her brother, who was assassinated in 737 for converting to Christianity. Although the subject of the piece is secular, it was sanctioned for use in services by the Armenian Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
.
A recording of the šarakan exists, performed by the Sharakan Early Music Ensemble.