On World Poetry Day,Dr Karim Javan, Research Associate, andNaureen Ali, Cataloguer and Adlib Officer in the IISs Ismaili Special Collections Unit, discover poetry in the walls at the AKC, in the manuscripts housed at the IIS, and in todays Nawruz celebrations.
Today marks World Poetry Day, introduced by UNESCO to celebrate linguistic diversity through poetic expression, honour poets and foster the convergence between poetry and other art forms.
A multiplicity of poetic expressions through different art forms can be found at the, home to the IIS, in transcriptions and inscriptions of poetry.
Poetry at the AKC
One of the various, the Garden of Light, is inspired by the Islamic courtyards of Andalusia in Spain, and includes pattered screens with a ribbon of white marble inscribed with verses by different Persian poets, including the following by Nasir Khusraw:
悋慍 惺 愕拆惘 擧 擧 惡惘 忰悋惆惓
悋慍 惺 惠惘 愕拆惘 惡悋愆惆
Make a shield from knowledge
For there is no stronger shield against calamities
Nasir Khusraw, an Ismaili philosopher, theologian and poet, was born in Qubadyan,KhurasanThe northeastern region of early Islamic Persia, immediately south of Transoxania and west of Badakhshan. More, in 394 AH/1004 AD. According to the introduction in hisSafarnama, at the age of forty, he experienced a spiritual transformation after which he travelled to Fatimid Cairo. He spent four years there and studied Ismaili theology. After being appointed as the畍u逮温岳ofKhurasan, he returned to his homeland to propagate Ismailidawa. He wrote on different subjects of Ismaili theology and philosophy, both in verse and prose.
Poetry in the IIS Special Collections
At the AKC, the IIS also houses itsSpecial Collections, which include the following manuscript of Nasir KhusrawsDiwan.
This manuscript ofDiwan-i Nasir-i Khusrawis transcribed in fine blackNaskh(a style of Arabic and Persian calligraphy) within multiple rulings and gilded frame. The heading on the first page is illuminated in purple, blue and gold and the first two pages have floral decoration in the margins and between the lines. ThisDiwanhas no colophon so no date and name of the scribe can be identified. Based on the illumination style and the calligraphy, it was produced in Iran in the Qajar period (late 18th/early 19th century).
Poetry and Nawruz
World Poetry Day also coincides with the arrival of Nawruz (a Persian word meaning new day), which marks the beginning of Spring and is celebrated as the start of a new year by more than 300 million people around the world.
There are various forms of celebration in different regions such as family feasts, exchange of gifts, children playing with painted eggs, and preparation of a Nawruz table with symbolic objects signifying happiness, fertility and abundance. You can discover more about some of these celebrations and rituals in Dr Shiraz Kabanis recent bookIsmaili Festivals: Stories of Celebration. Along with cultural performances, writing and recitation of poetry is also a common feature of Nawruz celebrations.
Nasir Khusraws poetryincludes various symbols from nature. All signs of transformation in life and nature for him are inspirations to reflect on his faith and beliefs. On the occasions of Spring and Nawruz, he writes:
惡悋惘 惆 惆愕惠惆悋惘 惺
愆 拆惘 悋愕惠 悋慍 擯悋惘 惺
惆 慍 擯悋惘 悋愕惠 惺 悋愕拆惘
悋悴惡 悛惆 惡悋惘 惺
The spring in the heart of Alis lovers, is always illuminated by his love,
My heart is adorned by him, shielded by knowledge,
Such is ought to be the spring of Ali.
悴悋 惘悋 惆擯惘擯 愆惆 擧悋惘 惡悋惘愆
惡惘 惘惡悋 擯愆惠 惶惘惠 擯悋惘愆
惡 惆惡悋 惡拆愆惆 惘慍 惘愆
惡 惡愆愕惠 悋惡惘 擯惘惆 悋慍 惺悵悋惘愆
The world was transformed as its affairs,
And kindly graced by its Curator,
Nawruz put on its silky dress, as clouds washed away dust from its face.
The last line captures the spirit of renewal ushered in by Spring and Nawruz: it is a time to celebrate and look forward to a fresh, new yearwith joy and poetry.
An exploration of themes and techniques used by Nasir Khusraw, along with an English translation of some of his poetry, can be found inMake a Shield from Wisdom: Selected Verses from Nasir-i Khusraws Divanby Annemarie Schimmel.
