T'was my birthday and I couldnt update the blog on time.. Sorryyyyy :D
And this time shall be a continuation too.....
A young girl was snatched away from her brother and locked in a vault with no food. Days went by and she felt weak, after some time she couldnt even scream for help. Rats crawled all over and she felt some roaches on her back. When she felt a little brave, she would crawl around the vault hoping to find some kind of duct. Cobwebs began to trap her and time grew hazy until one day, she was rudely woken up with a splash of water. She was surrounded by the Fereshteh, one of whom was Azar (meaning fire). Azar liked this girl, she was innocent and naive and someone who could be trained well. Azar decided to mentor her and take her under her wing. They would spend night and day in the Harem hall where she learnt the twists and turns of the Raqs Sharqi. Azar nursed her back to health until the girl had a healthy, pink glow on her cheeks. Azar protected her, never let her into the sight of commoners and ensured she bathed in rose water once a week. Even a small cut on the girl's body was treated with utmost care. The girl asked Azar one day, "Why do you love me, Mother? I am not even your child!" Azar said, "Zeba, from the day they brought you out of the vault, you were my child. From now on, everyone will call you Maliheh because that is who you are. Beautiful." Zeba was confined to the top most floor of the Harem with Azar. No men were allowed here and so it was safe. She never stepped into the kitchen or danced in the main hall during day light. She was the unseen prisoner of the Harem.
In ten years, Zeba hadn't stepped out into the sun. And finally, it was time for her debut. Azar decided to invite bids for her and what an auction it was. All Harems in Persia bore witness to the grand celebration. Never before was such a price paid for an enchantress. Everyone spoke of Maliheh and her beauty. Jealousy ran rampantly; every man or woman, young or old, from Khorramshahr or Shiraz, Maracanda to Parthia wanted to see the beauty of Persia. The beauty that commanded the highest price ever paid for an evening with an enchantress.
Folklore quotes that she reigned not only the concerts and the hearts of the people but also the breath of the Emperor. A doe-eyed beauty with alabaster skin, lips as soft as the feather of a peacock and a sharp, straight nose which gave her angular features. Her fingers were thin and graceful and her body was curved and slender. She moved with the grace of a ballet dancer and broke the hearts of many with her every blink. The Emperor had fallen deeply in love with her and it is said that she wore real diamonds and emeralds gifted by him.
And so it came to be, Maliheh spent the prized evening with The Emperor of Persia - Nader Shah. And who else would pay such an exorbitant prize for a gift they never saw. Only The Shah could take such a chance.
Now you know who Zeba is :). But how would Ziavash not know her ??
Zia wanted to belong and so Taher took him under his wing. They moved from Shiraz to Khorramshahr which was Taher's native land. Zia followed Taher everywhere and imbibed his every routine. He even changed the way he dressed to match that of Taher's mature sense. The Shurangiz would melt under Zia's fingers, such was the training inculcated by Taher. Years passed by, Taher grew more serene and Zia was just the opposite. The scope for earning money through music was minuscule in Khorramshahr. It was time to introduce Shiraz to the magical tunes of Ziavash.
At Shiraz, Taher and Zia were no doubt beyond comparison with any other artist but how much money could a performer make ? No restaurants or clubs would take them and slowly they were heading towards Taher's old joint. Saadi street welcomed them and they went back to the beautiful threshold with the astounding Persian lamp. A knock and a gasp, Azar could not believe her eyes. She least expected Zia at the door with Taher. Taher was sent away from the Harem, so why had he come back ?! Why had he been sent away ? Another story, another time :). Azar panicked, would Zia recognise Mali ? The Fereshteh were overjoyed and welcomed Taher back. They knew that their nights would be more colourful now that they would dance to the musical melodies of these two gorgeous men.
Thank you for all the love and keep it coming. Look forward to your thoughts :D
Love,
S.
And this time shall be a continuation too.....
A young girl was snatched away from her brother and locked in a vault with no food. Days went by and she felt weak, after some time she couldnt even scream for help. Rats crawled all over and she felt some roaches on her back. When she felt a little brave, she would crawl around the vault hoping to find some kind of duct. Cobwebs began to trap her and time grew hazy until one day, she was rudely woken up with a splash of water. She was surrounded by the Fereshteh, one of whom was Azar (meaning fire). Azar liked this girl, she was innocent and naive and someone who could be trained well. Azar decided to mentor her and take her under her wing. They would spend night and day in the Harem hall where she learnt the twists and turns of the Raqs Sharqi. Azar nursed her back to health until the girl had a healthy, pink glow on her cheeks. Azar protected her, never let her into the sight of commoners and ensured she bathed in rose water once a week. Even a small cut on the girl's body was treated with utmost care. The girl asked Azar one day, "Why do you love me, Mother? I am not even your child!" Azar said, "Zeba, from the day they brought you out of the vault, you were my child. From now on, everyone will call you Maliheh because that is who you are. Beautiful." Zeba was confined to the top most floor of the Harem with Azar. No men were allowed here and so it was safe. She never stepped into the kitchen or danced in the main hall during day light. She was the unseen prisoner of the Harem.
(This image is of Shirin and is not related to Hazār Afsānah in any way)
Folklore quotes that she reigned not only the concerts and the hearts of the people but also the breath of the Emperor. A doe-eyed beauty with alabaster skin, lips as soft as the feather of a peacock and a sharp, straight nose which gave her angular features. Her fingers were thin and graceful and her body was curved and slender. She moved with the grace of a ballet dancer and broke the hearts of many with her every blink. The Emperor had fallen deeply in love with her and it is said that she wore real diamonds and emeralds gifted by him.
And so it came to be, Maliheh spent the prized evening with The Emperor of Persia - Nader Shah. And who else would pay such an exorbitant prize for a gift they never saw. Only The Shah could take such a chance.
Now you know who Zeba is :). But how would Ziavash not know her ??
Zia wanted to belong and so Taher took him under his wing. They moved from Shiraz to Khorramshahr which was Taher's native land. Zia followed Taher everywhere and imbibed his every routine. He even changed the way he dressed to match that of Taher's mature sense. The Shurangiz would melt under Zia's fingers, such was the training inculcated by Taher. Years passed by, Taher grew more serene and Zia was just the opposite. The scope for earning money through music was minuscule in Khorramshahr. It was time to introduce Shiraz to the magical tunes of Ziavash.
At Shiraz, Taher and Zia were no doubt beyond comparison with any other artist but how much money could a performer make ? No restaurants or clubs would take them and slowly they were heading towards Taher's old joint. Saadi street welcomed them and they went back to the beautiful threshold with the astounding Persian lamp. A knock and a gasp, Azar could not believe her eyes. She least expected Zia at the door with Taher. Taher was sent away from the Harem, so why had he come back ?! Why had he been sent away ? Another story, another time :). Azar panicked, would Zia recognise Mali ? The Fereshteh were overjoyed and welcomed Taher back. They knew that their nights would be more colourful now that they would dance to the musical melodies of these two gorgeous men.
Thank you for all the love and keep it coming. Look forward to your thoughts :D
Love,
S.
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