Taher Alizadeh was the Shurangiz player from the Harem who taught Ziavash how to strum the lute. Have you ever wondered why Taher never once felt enticed by the Fereshteh ? So many beautiful women from the corners of Persia, under one roof swaying their hips to his tunes and not once did he look at them with lust in his eyes ?
Taher was once the son of a rich Zemindar [landlord] on the outskirts of Shiraz. He grew up in the lap of luxury with many servants at his feet. He wasn't one to share importance with the material flamboyance of life and so unlike the rest of his family, he treated even the family servants with great respect. Since childhood, he played with the servant children and would encourage them to go to school with him. He would play the Shurangiz for these little children who would dance in circles around him. As Taher turned 16, he realised that he had developed an adulation for a young servant girl. They spent a lot of time together and the inevitable knocked on Taher's door. She was pregnant! Taher's father found out about this mishap and did what any father would. An elaborate amount was paid to the servant family who vanished come dawn. Taher was left devastated. He did not know why or where to his lady love had vanished. Not only did he lose his one lady love but also his little unborn dream. His mother spent a lot of time with him during this span. She told him that women outside the family were terrible creatures, they lured and enticed unsuspecting men, took away their youth and treasures; and then left them to rot and mend their grieving hearts.
Taher took his mother's teachings to heart. He took a solemn vow never again to fall into this trap of enticement. Hence, he never looked a lady in the eye ever again. He gave himself to his Shurangiz who would never leave him heartbroken. When Taher strummed the Shurangiz, all women stood transfixed. There was an air of ecstasy and the Harem swayed to its rhythm.
Meanwhile, a baby boy was born in Khorramshehr to a servant girl. He looked just like his father and so his mother retained his father's surname. Years passed and the boy grew more handsome. He was a lover, never one to doubt the way or wills of God. He followed his heart and his mind told him right against wrong. Tariq Alizadeh was a gifted singer and in his free time, sang at an Arab lounge, "Azizam". He sang love ballads, Arab dance tunes as well as soulful music. His friends often coaxed him to quit singing and go out with them, sit around roadside cafes, smoke Shisha and eye young, beautiful Arab women. But Tariq was different. He did not appreciate objectifying women and was taught better by his mother. The baby boy was Tariq Alizadeh, son of Taher Alizadeh.
Is it ironic that both father and son had a passion for music ? Or that both father and son preferred being alone ? Or that both father and son performed for an audience ...
Next week will open another secret door ... Hazār Afsānah is coming to a close .. I hope you are liking it thus far.
Love,
S.
Taher was once the son of a rich Zemindar [landlord] on the outskirts of Shiraz. He grew up in the lap of luxury with many servants at his feet. He wasn't one to share importance with the material flamboyance of life and so unlike the rest of his family, he treated even the family servants with great respect. Since childhood, he played with the servant children and would encourage them to go to school with him. He would play the Shurangiz for these little children who would dance in circles around him. As Taher turned 16, he realised that he had developed an adulation for a young servant girl. They spent a lot of time together and the inevitable knocked on Taher's door. She was pregnant! Taher's father found out about this mishap and did what any father would. An elaborate amount was paid to the servant family who vanished come dawn. Taher was left devastated. He did not know why or where to his lady love had vanished. Not only did he lose his one lady love but also his little unborn dream. His mother spent a lot of time with him during this span. She told him that women outside the family were terrible creatures, they lured and enticed unsuspecting men, took away their youth and treasures; and then left them to rot and mend their grieving hearts.
Taher took his mother's teachings to heart. He took a solemn vow never again to fall into this trap of enticement. Hence, he never looked a lady in the eye ever again. He gave himself to his Shurangiz who would never leave him heartbroken. When Taher strummed the Shurangiz, all women stood transfixed. There was an air of ecstasy and the Harem swayed to its rhythm.
Meanwhile, a baby boy was born in Khorramshehr to a servant girl. He looked just like his father and so his mother retained his father's surname. Years passed and the boy grew more handsome. He was a lover, never one to doubt the way or wills of God. He followed his heart and his mind told him right against wrong. Tariq Alizadeh was a gifted singer and in his free time, sang at an Arab lounge, "Azizam". He sang love ballads, Arab dance tunes as well as soulful music. His friends often coaxed him to quit singing and go out with them, sit around roadside cafes, smoke Shisha and eye young, beautiful Arab women. But Tariq was different. He did not appreciate objectifying women and was taught better by his mother. The baby boy was Tariq Alizadeh, son of Taher Alizadeh.
Is it ironic that both father and son had a passion for music ? Or that both father and son preferred being alone ? Or that both father and son performed for an audience ...
Next week will open another secret door ... Hazār Afsānah is coming to a close .. I hope you are liking it thus far.
Love,
S.
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