مسعود از امریکا

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by yolanda on Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:09 AM PST

Hi! Massoud,

     I posted Saadi's this famous poem before, but just found out last night that it is from Gulistan. The entrance to the United Nations's Hall of Nations carries the poem:

• Human beings are members of a whole,
• In creation of one essence and soul.
• If one member is afflicted with pain,
• Other members uneasy will remain.
• If you have no sympathy for human pain,
• The name of human you cannot retain.

 

I also found more versions of Gulistan (Golestan) on Internet. I really like this excerpt from the chapter on Education: **********************************

A philosopher was advising his children as follows:
"Dear to me as life! acquire knowledge; for there is no reliance to be placed in worldly possessions, either of land or money. You cannot take rank abroad with you; and silver and gold on a journey occasion risk, and either the thief may carry it off at one swoop, or the owner will gradually expend it: but knowledge is an ever-springing fountain, and a source of enduring wealth, and if an accomplished person ceases to be wealthy it matters not, for his knowledge is wealth existing in his mind itself. Wherever the accomplished man goes he is esteemed, and is seated in the place of honour, while the man without accomplishments has, go where he will, to pick up scraps and endure raps.

**************************************

I love the bold and italicized segment, it is so true, just beautiful!

 I have another observation that Gulistan and Bustan mean Rose garden and fruit garden, but Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan mean the Land of certain people.......very interesting......

I found out that many versions of Bustan and Gulistan were translated into Old English, or something like that.....I have a feeling that translators felt these are the classics and they want to make the masterpieces sound classical and not to trivialize the classics, but I prefer the modern English versions 'cause it is easier to understand and easier to be inspired.

Thank you for this blog and it has opened a new horizon for me!

yolanda 

 

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by مسعود از امریکا on Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:43 PM PST

Friends, I finished uploading a new blog, with Deklameh by Ostaad Farzanfar .. I hope you enjoy it ..... Massoud

 

 

Interesting observation yolanda!

by Humility on Wed Feb 17, 2010 02:29 PM PST

Very interesting :)

One thing that I can add is listening to an inspiring Deklameh (Recitation) is also helpful if your command of Farsi is not very strong - This Deklameh here of Massoud's work is very nicely done!

 

 

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by مسعود از امریکا on Wed Feb 17, 2010 01:45 PM PST

Hi Yolanda, To be honest with you, the best Bustan work that you should get is the one that you like its English Translation - Unless you are getting the original Farsi (Persian) version, be careful with what you buy in English (Hard Copy) ... Read some of the excerpts, and see if you enjoy the way that it's been translated ... Massoud

 

 

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by yolanda on Wed Feb 17, 2010 01:24 PM PST

Hi! Humility,

Thank you for stopping by. You are welcome! I noticed that "Humility" was mentioned a lot in Persian literature, that is nice!

thanks,

 

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by yolanda on Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:41 PM PST

Hi! Massoud,

        I found 2 Bustan of Saadi on-line last night. I am pretty sure that there are other versions......I am debating whether to download one or buy a pretty physical copy with colorful pictures on Amazon.com. This one website posted the entire Bustan on-line for people to download. This Persian Canadian professor asked people to send him any Persian literature related  materials in any languages.....I think the guy has heard a calling to promote Persian literature......he even listed his e-mail there......it is just  amazing!

//enel.ucalgary.ca/People/far/hobbies/iran/Bo...

 

There are at least 3 days of figure-skating left this week.....after that there will be ice-dancing.....I had very little sleep last few days......I can't help it.....tonight is men's figure-skating final.....the rivals are Russian vs. American......it should be very interesting and dramatic! 

Thank you for your blog! 

Nice Presentation Massoud :)

by Humility on Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:14 AM PST

Thanks for the link to Divan-e Shams yolanda!

 

 

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by مسعود از امریکا on Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:24 AM PST

BTW, I am watching the figure-skating on NBC, from the Vancouver Winter Olympics - It's amazing how they move :) Just like Ballet on ice ..... Massoud

 

 

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by yolanda on Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:19 AM PST

Hi! Massoud,

       This new version is really elegant! Thank you and great job! Persian calligraphy flows like ocean waves.....it is great to bring out the best!

Thank you!

I will explore "Rose Garden" and "Fruit Garden" tomorrow....Wow! too much fun stuff to read!

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by مسعود از امریکا on Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:08 AM PST

Yolanda, I think that you would like this version - My friend sharpened the calligraphy :)

BTW, this font is called nast'aliq; Tks for the beautiful Rumi Poems, and their both English and Farsi versions ..... Massoud 

 

 

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by yolanda on Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:13 AM PST

Hi! Massoud,

     Thank you and your friend for the hardwork....I think this version is better.....but is there a way to make the beautiful Persian calligraphy sharper? I noticed that the poem under the video looks very sharp and clear, but the poem verses look a little fuzzy in the video.......but I am not sure if it will take too much time to make the adjustment.....this version is definitely better 'cause it is dynamic. What do you think?

Is that true that Saadi was the father-in-law of Hafez?

I read Chapter Four of Bustan, this part is similar to Rumi's Seven Advice:

Thou, O creature of God, vast created of the dust; therefore, be humble as the dust. Be not covetous, nor oppressive, nor headstrong. Thou art from the dust; be not like fire. When the terrible fire raised his head in pride, the dust prostrated itself in humility.

And since the fire was arrogant and the dust was meek, from the former were the demons formed, and from the latter mankind.

I recall Rumi wrote: "In modesty and humility be like earth.."

These words of Saadi are very touching:
"Travelers bring sugar-candy from Egypt as a present to their friends. Although I have no candy, yet have I words that are sweeter. The sugar that I bring is not that which is eaten, but what knowers of truth take away with respect ..."

I think what he was saying is that there is other stuff which is more important than material stuff.

Thanks,

**********************************************

 

 Divan-e Shams

Rumi 41

********************

To the call of the tavern arise, arise
Fear not separation, be wise, be wise
A kingly feast is your prize, your prize
Intoxicated souls don’t despise, despise
You too drink this wine, see the disguise
Appearance of the Lord is a needed surprise.
You are all drunk, and your watery eyes
Like the shining sun, light up the night skies
This place is all kindness, compassion
Love, beauty, grace, goodness, passion
Fear not, fear not, enter this realm of the Wise
In this tavern for all sins, forgiveness with the Lord lies
For every ailment, divine grace is medication
The Judge of this tavern forgives every transgression.

Praise emancipation
Praise divine revelation
Praise soul’s coronation
Praise joyous elation
Praise the pride of a nation
This symbol of adoration
Who brought poetic inspiration
To this house of intoxication. 

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Farsi version:

//rumionfire.com/shams/rumi041.htm

*******************************

Divan-e Shams

Rumi 72

*************** 

 

Spring is nigh, spring is nigh
Beautiful spring has come by
The whole world is green and fresh
        Tulips raise their heads up high.

Listen to the Lily, sweet Basil
Lily in ten tongues speaks so well
Watch the waters and the dusty fields
        How colors and shapes multiply.

Flowers try to understand
How they were estranged in this land
One claims to be joyously pleased
        From that land joys have come, why?

Jasmine asks Cypress with a glance
Why such intoxicated dance?
Cypress whispers in its ear
        With a gentle friend I now lie.

Narcissus conveyed with a wink
How thus smile and drink
Flower said, yes I do laugh
        My beloved is nearby.

Spruce said the difficult path
With King’s grace has no aftermath
Each leaf that has sprung up
        A lustrous blade, as I espy.

Poppy adorned the green field
Truths clearly themselves revealed
Elegant flower from sheer joy
        Scattered petals, with the wind fly.

Many, many came to such a feast
Basil, Narcissus, flowers of the East
To every fruit bearing tree
        A million blossoms themselves tie.

From Shams-e-Din-e Tabrizi
Came the wine, refreshing, easy
Like a dear royal mother-of-pearl
        Each drop of wine would satisfy.

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Farsi version:

//rumionfire.com/shams/rumi072.htm

 

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by مسعود از امریکا on Tue Feb 16, 2010 09:33 PM PST

Yolanda, My friend e-mailed me this version :) It's plain, but it follows you sugestion :)

 

 

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by مسعود از امریکا on Tue Feb 16, 2010 05:35 PM PST

Thanks for the suggestions Yolanda :)

Actually, I didn't make the video - A friend of mine who knows Ostaad Jamshid made the video, and uploaded it to his channel ... After that, he e-mailed me the link :)

I'll let him know about your suggestions .... Massoud

 

 

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by yolanda on Tue Feb 16, 2010 04:50 PM PST

Hi Massoud,

   I just played your poetry video. I like the way he recited the poem and also the background music.....my suggestion:

   Is that possible to roll out the verses line by line and enlarge the fonts a little? It depends on whether you have the time to do it.....if you have time, you can use different ways to present your poems.......right now your video is stationary...in the future, you can make it dynamic if you want to....but as you know, time is a big factor here....

    I am sure You know Powerpoints ...if you load your poem on Powerpoints, when you play the slide show.....you can let the program roll out the verses line by line.....I believe there is a way to do the same with you-tube video....

Did you see R2-D2's Naderpour poem video? he has a picture throughtout the poem.....actually you can have 6-8 pictures loaded to the video and change the the background picture every 20 seconds......and add your poetic verse to the bottom of the picture......this way, it will make your video more appealing and more dynamic........

Please remember, this is just a suggestion........you are way better than me in this area....I have produced absolutely nothing yet....of cousre, I watched whole bunch of You-tube videos......  Another thing is that you are amazing that you made a video in such a short time......It was great to embed a poetry video here 'cause you added human touch to your poem.....it is a milestone!!

yolanda

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by مسعود از امریکا on Tue Feb 16, 2010 03:29 PM PST

Will Do :)

Please let me know how you like the videos :) I need an honest opinion ..... Massoud

 

 

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by yolanda on Tue Feb 16, 2010 03:06 PM PST

Hi! Massoud,

That is true.......you can even e-mail the blog links to your friends.....hopefully the posts I put out here are good ones.....:O)

 

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by مسعود از امریکا on Tue Feb 16, 2010 02:57 PM PST

Yolanda,

I think that it's best if I upload brand new blogs, rather than incorporating the videos into my old blogs :)

This way, people will get a chance to listen to them now - If I incorporate the videos into the old blogs, no one will get a chance to listen to them :) ..... Massoud

 

 

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by yolanda on Tue Feb 16, 2010 01:53 PM PST

Hi Massoud,

Wow! That is exciting! You can add the videos to your old blogs if you want to....actually, if you have you-tube account.....you can "broadcast" the videos from your you-tube channel.....

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by مسعود از امریکا on Tue Feb 16, 2010 01:22 PM PST

Hi Yolanda,

I am glad you enjoy the works of Sa'adi :) You are right that Bustan and Golestan are absolutely delightful works to read :)

Other than Sa'adi, Hafez and Rumi are the pillars of Persian Literature - Divan-e Shams is one of the most beautiful works of Poetry :)

I hope that you enjoy the Deklameh (Video) It was done by a distinguished Scholar Ostaad Jamshid Farzanfar :) I have asked him to do a number of my poems - When they are ready, I'll post them too ..... Massoud

 

 

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by yolanda on Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:02 AM PST

Hi! Massoud,

    Thank you for your new blog....I am glad that you added the poetry recitation video......you-tube is blocked at work.....so after work, I will play the video and also read more on the subject matter...Saad, Rumi, Divan e shams, Bustan of Saadi are all great.....Bustan (Flower garden) sounds great..I found great English translations......wow there are 10 chapters....I browsed thru the titles already....they are absolutely awesome....I also read the other day that Rumi's 2nd wife was Shams' daughter.........I need to read more on that....

    I plan to watch Olympic figure-skating all week and surf internet...it is good to be multi-tasking! :O)

take care!

yolanda