Abstract
Eight articles and two interviews are featured in the 14th issue of Tabl magazine, published in November 2023.
The first article in issue 14 is an essay by Kamyar Salavati about Persian literature titled “Dweller of the House of Silence.” In this essay, the author explores the concept of silence in Persian literature and its relationship to mystics and heroes. The essay explains how silence is portrayed as a characteristic of idealistic characters. It examines two poems by Ahmad Shamlou to demonstrate the importance of silence and quietness in contemporary poetry heroic figures.
The second article is titled “Along with the Gypsy’s Steps” and is written by Sohrab Ahmadi in the field of contemporary literature. The article explores the collection of poems Arjan Plain (Dasht-e Arjan) by Simin Behbahani, specifically focusing on the “Gypsy-like Poems” (Kowli-vareha) within the book. Ahmadi starts the article by providing an overview of Behbahani’s career and worldview, highlighting the prominent female heroines present in her works. Using the method of Maurice Grammont, a French linguist, Ahmadi analyzes the themes present in the verses and divides the phonemes in these poems. This is to support the hypothesis that the phonemes in Behbahani’s poems have the greatest influence on conveying the meaning and portraying the heroes in her poetry.
Alireza Kikanli’s article in psychoanalysis is titled “Symbolization of the Hero’s Voice” and focuses on mourning literature. Kikanli uses psychoanalytic theories to explore how writers of obituaries and elegies symbolize heroes. He explains that while these writers concentrate on the hero’s suffering and appearance, this can actually undermine the image and meaning of heroism.
The 14th issue includes an article by Erfan Abbasi about Iranian history and music titled “The Minstrel’s Song Reminds the Israfil’s Trumpet.” The article delves into the significance of “khonya” and “khonyagari” (song and minstrelsy) in Iranian history, with a particular focus on the Qajar period. It explores the role of “khonyagar”s and “motreb”s (minstrels) during this period, touching on significant social and historical events and conditions that shaped the musical landscape of the time. The article also examines how the music and poems of singers and minstrels evolved in response to changes in society and history. The article then moves on to discuss the constitutional era – a pivotal point in Iran’s contemporary history – and how the khonyagars influenced this period. The author analyzes this influence in detail, providing a comprehensive study of this topic.
In the 14th issue, Mehrak Ali Sabounchi interviewed Ali Samadpour. The interview titled “Payvar; A Strict Hard Worker or A Generous Hero?” discusses one of the most prominent figures in Iranian music, Faramarz Payvar. The conversation delves into Payvar’s contributions to Iranian music, particularly his efforts in compiling the canonical repertory of traditional Iranian music (radif) and documenting the works of the masters before him. Samadpour sheds light on Payvar’s impact on Iranian music development through his diverse activities, including band playing. He argues that Payvar should be considered the hero of Iranian music, citing his various contributions to the field.
This issue of the magazine includes a survey of Iranian music conducted by Kiarash Khodashenas. “The Garden of Everlasting Prosperity” examines the emergence and decline of the “Golha” (flowers) radio program. The article covers the various courses of the program, their directors, and different sections of Golha, as well as the collaboration of several artists. Additionally, the author explains why Golha can be seen as one of the key trends in fostering music stars. Essentially, the essay serves as a written history of the Golha program.
Shayan Asgari and Nima Khanjani conducted an interview with Nader Mashayekhi about Western classical music. The interview is titled “The Tone of Bach: The Voice of Christ.” They discuss how Johann Sebastian Bach’s works depict Christ as a hero. The interview also gives an overview of Bach’s life and career. The conversation further explores how Bach’s key works reflect Christian faith and thought. It also examines his significance and influence on music history. The goal is to analyze why Bach can be considered a hero of Western classical music.
“Siegfried’s Problem” is the next article in the fourteenth issue. It is written by Philip Kitcher and Richard Schacht and focuses on Western classical music and opera. Sahand Elhami translated the article from the book Finding an Ending. The article offers an analysis of Richard Wagner’s The Ring of Nibelung. The translator provides a brief description of the story of the four operas in this cycle and introduces the main characters. The article then delves into the actions of the character Siegfried, who is the primary hero of the opera. The authors analyze his character and explain why he is a significant hero.
Iman Ojian has written an article about Western music titled “Tonight a Star Shines.” The article provides a detailed history of rock music and explores its origins, evolution, stabilization, and influence. It examines how rock music has changed over time, and its connection to social movements is explored. The article also highlights the impact of this music on Western society and lifestyle, and its influence on several generations. In the article’s conclusion, the author raises the question of whether rock music has led to the rise of star heroes with a profound impact on Western societies.
The 14th issue of the magazine features an article on cinema by Hamoon Qapchi titled “Silence: The Voice of Heroes.” In this essay, the author explores the concept of silence in cinema and cites Michel Chion’s views on how silence is an integral part of a hero’s voice in films. Using the film The Custodian by Khosrow Haritash as an example, the author illustrates how silence can be effectively used in Iranian cinema to highlight the hero’s character.