Zībāshināsī dar taʻziyah-i Fārsī

This meticulously researched volume, Zībāshināsī dar taʻziyah-i Fārsī (Aesthetics in Persian Taʻziyah), offers a profound exploration into the artistic and performative dimensions of traditional Iranian passion plays. Authored by ʻIzzat Allāh Mardān and published by Māniyān in Tihrān, this scholarly work critically analyses the historical evolution and structural components of Taʻziyah. The text investigates a myriad of thematic and poetic elements, including the nuanced use of Baḥr-i ṭavīl (long metre), elegiac compositions, the performative impact of musical accompaniments, and the symbolic significance of costumes and weaponry used during the reenactments of the tragic events of Karbalā, specifically focusing on the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn. By dissecting linguistic devices such as metaphors, similes, and rhythmic variations, Mardān brings to light the intricate aesthetic framework that makes Taʻziyah a uniquely compelling form of Islamic drama. Drawing upon foundational works, this essential contribution to the fields of literary criticism brilliantly illuminates the enduring legacy of Shiʻa ritual performance.