Iraj Jan

Photo essay: Pezeshkzad at Stanford University

by salim
09-May-2009
 

On Thursday May 7th, the creator of beloved and immortal Dai Jan Napoleon, Iraj Pezeshkzad gave a talk at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, interviewed by Dr. Abbas Milani, part of Iranian Studies Spring Lecture Series. The avuncular gray hair soul was as witty in person as he is on ink. The masterful raconteur captured the audience as he first captured our hearts on that warm summer day, or exactly on the 13th of Iranian month of Mordad when his protagonist first fell in love with his cousin. And like his protagonist's first love, the audience fell in love with him.

Pezeshkzad began by recounting the historical backdrop of Iran's 1970, giving the audience, especially the younger readers, a broader context about the time of the book's publishing and the lukewarm reception by the book critics.The first-person recounting of the author's connection--or rather the lack thereof --with then prime minister Hovaida shed a brighter light on dismissing rumors against the author and the ill-conceived accusations against him.

The talk ended at a high-note, with Pezeshkzad's satirical retelling of his anonymous in-flight encounter with a fellow Iranian and a dismissor of his book. The poor person, only named by "Doctor ..." claimed the success of the book as part of a larger conspiracy. Not knowing he was sitting next to the author himself, Doctor dot dot dot asked Pezeshkzad if he knew "Pezeshkzad"? Following with, "I know him" to support his argument for dismissing the book. The comedy of the story left no one laughing, and made Doctor dot dot dot the poster-child of Dai Jan Napoleon critics.

For the audience, at least for me, this night shall be as indelible as Pejeshkzad's opening paragraph and I shall look back at these pictures with found memories remembering my chance encounter with the father of my beloved Iranian protagonist.

Visit Salim Madjd's web sites:
-- crazymenu.com
-- pbase.com/salim
-- sf.smugmug.com
-- SnapsOfLife.com

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cyrous moradi

توهم توطئه

cyrous moradi
Wed May 13, 2009 06:07 AM PDT

شاید بزرگترین خدمتی که استاد ایرج پزشکزاد به جامعه ایران کرد، طرح جامع توهم توطئه ویا به عبارتی Conspiracy Theory در قالب کتابی طنز بود. شاید بیماری مالیخولیایی دائی جان ناپلئون در مقصر دانستن انگلیسی ها در هر کاری همه ما رابخنداند ولی حقیقت تلخی در پشت همه این اتفاقات نهفته است که جناب پزشکزاد با توجه به اینکه مدتها دیپلمات بوده اند، این مشکل را به خوبی حس و در قالب کتابی طنز که خوشبختانه به خوبی نیز به فیلم برگردانده شده است، بیان فرموده اند. البته اصل این تئوری را متعلق به Sir Karl Popper می دانند که در دهمین گردهم آیی بین المللی فلسفه در آمستردام در سال 1948 در باره این تئوری چنین نظر داد:"[عده‌اي معتقدند] هرچه در اجتماع اتفاق مي‌افتد نتايج مستقيم نقشه‌هايي است که ‏افراد يا گروه‌هاي نيرومند ‏طرح‌ريزي کرده‌اند. اين نظر بسيار گسترش پيدا کرده است. ‏هرچند من در آن شک ندارم که گونه‌اي ابتدايي از خرافه است. ‏کهن‌تر از تاريخيگري ‏است... و در شکل جديد آن، نتيجه برجسته دنيوي شدن خرافه‌هاي ديني است. باور ‏داشتن به خدايان ‏هومري، که توطئه‌هاي آن‌ها مسئول تقلبات جنگ‌هاي تروا بوده، ‏اکنون از ميان رفته است ولي جاي خدايان ساکن [کوه] ‏اولومپوس هومري را اکنون ‏بزرگان صهيون يا صاحبان انحصارها يا سرمايه‌داران يا استعمارگران گرفته است.‏"

در تاریخ معاصر سرزمین ما استاد پزشکزاد قبل از احمد اشرف و یرواند آبراهامیان به طرح موضوع پرداخت. به نظر میرسد که در داستان دائی جان ناپلئون " انگلیس و یا انگلیسیها" نماد همه آن قدرتهایی هستند که بر سرنوشت ما حاکمند (و یا ما تصور می کنیم که چنین است). چهل سال بعد از انتشار کتاب دائی جان ناپلئون و استقبال روز افزون از این کتاب ، شاید نشان دهنده این نکته باشد که ما خود به نحوی دائی جان ناپلئون هستیم و یا کسی را در بین نزدیکان خود با این مشخصات می شناسیم.


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Majid

To : noNotThisWay

by Majid on Mon May 11, 2009 09:46 PM PDT

What's wrong with that?

It's just like seeing Stevie Wonder sitting at 50 yard line at Super bowl or a group of deaf people attending a ventriloquist act like this one......:-)      Enjoy

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kXOg23pGeA


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Monda

Thank you Ali P.

by Monda on Mon May 11, 2009 09:31 PM PDT

for the info


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default

Photo essay does not do justice to the talk and interview.

by noNotThisWay (not verified) on Mon May 11, 2009 06:13 PM PDT

I wish there was video, audio, or transcripts.


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ramintork

Perhaps the most popular contemporary Iranian author

by ramintork on Mon May 11, 2009 01:18 PM PDT

The English speaking World has kafkaesque and machevallian as adjectives and in Persian we have Daee Jaan Napolean-ee thanks to him.

So he has stamped our language and culture with his wit and creativity like no other contemporary Iranian author.

I thank him for providing a sweet part of my childhood memories.

 

 


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Souri

Hi there

by Souri on Sun May 10, 2009 11:02 PM PDT

In case if anybody needs really to contact him, I may have this possibility. Just let me know.


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Ali P.

To: Monda

by Ali P. on Sun May 10, 2009 09:53 PM PDT

I believe I bought it at Iran Books, in DC. It is not his memoirs, but a collection of many memoirs and stories.


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IRANdokht

Thanks Alborz aziz

by IRANdokht on Sun May 10, 2009 07:39 PM PDT

Since I am not affiliated with any of the universities here, I'll just have to wait and hope...
Maybe someone reading this post would be able to help out.

Thanks for the reply.

IRANdokht


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alborz

Irandokht jan...he was invited by ...

by alborz on Sun May 10, 2009 06:44 PM PDT

.... the Persian Student Association at Stanford.  I am sure that UCLA can invite him also, specially given that he is in the US, at this time.

He is very humble and probably won't go anywhere unless they plead with him.

In any event if I learn of it, I will let you know.

Alborz

PS.Abbas Milani was the MC and he can be reached at Stanford quite easily.


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Monda

Ali P.

by Monda on Sun May 10, 2009 06:01 PM PDT

Golgashteh Khaateraat, is his memoir? can I ask where you bought it?


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Parham

Ali P.

by Parham on Sun May 10, 2009 01:20 PM PDT

By all means, absolutely do!


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Ali P.

"Ghyaameh Iraan"

by Ali P. on Sun May 10, 2009 12:55 PM PDT

He was the editor-in-chief of "Ghyaameh Iraan", a very rich opposition weekly paper that was published in the 80's in Europe.

 I am sure he is- as he should be- very proud of that. 

 I still have quite a few copies and may post them here if there were any interest.


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Parham

and by the way

by Parham on Sun May 10, 2009 12:47 PM PDT

this is the second time there is a "photo essay" of Pezeshkzad's passage to the USA/California on this site. As shallow as you people are over there, one would still hope there would be an account of what was said, or maybe perhaps even a short clip of his talk. Nada...

I mean, he will be remembered (I hope) for his mind more than his looks, won't he?

Thanks for the pictures nevertheless, they were better than last time's.


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Parham

Funny thing is...

by Parham on Sun May 10, 2009 12:32 PM PDT

He himself resents the fact that he's generally remembered for/by Dayi Jan Napoleon alone...


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IRANdokht

Salim and Alborz: I envy

by IRANdokht on Sun May 10, 2009 02:11 AM PDT

Salim and Alborz: I envy you!

I hope Mr Pezeshkzad comes down to So Cal too. If you hear of any further speeches around this area please let us know.

I've been a fan for a long time and in our family, we used to take turns reading his books and then talking about them and discussing the different scenes and characters. I never forget when we heard that Daee jan Napoleon was turned into a mini series, we watched every episode together and cherished every moment and every scene. I have so many fond memories of his books...

Thanks Salim, I loved seeing Mr Pezeshkzad smile and receive the respect of these nice folks that were present there, and be celebrated as he should. He definitely deserves the beautiful tribute.

IRANdokht


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Ali P.

"Golgashteh Khaateraat"...

by Ali P. on Sat May 09, 2009 10:24 PM PDT

is the title of his latest work, and is just as funny as his other books.


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Monda

Thank you Salim

by Monda on Sat May 09, 2009 07:29 PM PDT

I have so many vivid memories of watching Daiee Jan Napoleon! For months out of each year discussing the characters first thing in the morning or at lunches, were important social functions in my life. I finally read the book years later when I came to the States, chapter by chapter reminding me of home and the exact memories associated with seeing those scenes once before. I still can't decide which provoked more in me. It's time to read the book again and then watch the series on DVD.


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default

John Bolton?!!!!

by Anonymous Joojeh (not verified) on Sat May 09, 2009 07:21 PM PDT

He looks like an old John Bolton.

//www.whereistheoutrage.net/wordpress/wp-cont...


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Majid

........

by Majid on Sat May 09, 2009 05:55 PM PDT

٩٩ در صد اوقات وقتی فیلم و یا سریالی بر مبنای کتابی ساخته میشه کار خراب میشه چون صدها صفحه نوشته بایدفشرده بشه تو قالب چند ساعت سریال و یا یکی دو ساعت فیم سینمایی.
در مورد «دائی جان ناپلئون» این صدق نمیکنه، سریال آنچنان با «صداقت در امانت» ساخته شده که آدم گاهی شک میکنه که سریال بر مبنای کتاب نوشته شده یا برعکس!!

 ایرج  پزشکزاد  لقب «خدای طنز معاصر ایران» رو برای خودش ثبت کرد و «بهترین» های تئاتر ایران با کارگردانی ناصر تقوائی این اثر رو جاودانه اش کردند....
محمد علی نقشینه، پرویز صیاد، پرویز فنّی زاده، نصرت الله کریمی، محمد علی کشاورز، سعید کنگرانی، جهانگیر فروهر، پروین ملکوتی، محمد ورشوچی، و....... (اسامی واقعی اینها رو یادم نمیاد) شیر علی قصاب، سردار مهارت خان، زن شیر علی قصاب، پوری فش فشو، و دهها نفر دیگه، که یکی از بیاد ماندنی ترین شوهای تلویزیونی ایران رو خلق کردند.
دست همه شون درد نکنه.  


  •  
hazratee

Photo #9

by hazratee on Sat May 09, 2009 05:22 PM PDT

I like it. It has a very important message?


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alborz

A memorable "conversation" with a memorable figure!

by alborz on Sat May 09, 2009 02:11 PM PDT

I was fortunate to be able to attend this event.

He opening remark was that he disliked giving speeches because in his childhood he was forced to listen to long winded speakers.

He then proceeded to delight everyone by having a personal and intimate conversation with the audience.  It was as if he was in your living room.  Tea was the only thing missing!

Alborz


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Nazy Kaviani

A Legend!

by Nazy Kaviani on Sat May 09, 2009 01:07 PM PDT

"من يكروز گرم تابستان دقيقاً يك سيزده مرداد،
حدود ساعت سه و ربع كم بعدازظهر عاشق شدم.

تلخيها و زهر هجري كه چشيدم بارها مرا به اين فكرانداخت كه اگر يك دوازدهم يا يك چهاردهم مرداد بود شايد اينطور نمي شد.

آن روز هم مثل هر روز با فشار و زور و تهديد و كمي وعده هاي طلائي براي عصر، ما را يعني من و خواهرم را توي زيرزمين كرده بودند كه بخوابيم."

Thanks for the photos, Majid! I'm sorry I missed the talk. I saw more than one familiar face among the crowd. Long live Iraj Pezeshkzad, the engineer of contemporary satire in Iranian literature. I continue to pull that book out and read it every year on 13 Mordad to remind myself of his gem of a book, Daee Jan Napoleon.


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