Iran Press/ Iran news: Tazieh, primarily known from the Persian tradition, is a Shi'ite Muslim ritual that reenacts the martyrdom of Imam Hossein(AS) and his male children and companions in a brutal massacre on the plains of Karbala, Iraq in the year 680 A.D.
Painting depicting Ahsura; Imam Hussain (AS) in pray
History of Ta'zieh in Iran
Its history dates back to the years before Ashura and the arrival of Islam in Iran which was called “Suvashoon Khani”. Siavash or Siavosh or Siavakhsh is one of the characters of Iranian legends including in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. The play was performed like the time Siavash went on fire which was a sign of his innocence when Siavash could manage to escape fire.
Painting depicting Ashura
Tazieh recitation as one of the important symbols of mourning of Imam Hussain (AS) has had a very special place in Iran for a long time, and has been common since ancient times. Iranians have long been accustomed to traditional and religious plays and rituals, including the ancient ceremonies of “Mithra’s Sufferings” and “Siavash’s Mourning.”
Ashura event depicted beautifully in a Persian painting
An Egyptian writer believes that Iranians with their artistic background and rituals, have been able to create religious dramas since Ashura and martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali (AS). However, due to the lack of culture and performing arts among the Arabs, the Arabs were not able to take advantage of such thinking, so Iranians helped to spread the Karbala culture by holding such performances. It is a well-known Iranian festival.
Iranians mourn Imam Hussain by Ta'zieh
Tazieh in Persian Culture
In Persian culture, it refers to Condolence Theater and Naqqali which are traditional Persian theatrical genres in which the drama is conveyed wholly or predominantly through music and singing. It dates from before the Islamic era and the tragedy of Saiawush in Shahnameh is one of the best examples.
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In Persian tradition, Ta'zieh and Parde-Khani, inspired by historical and religious events, symbolize epic spirit and resistance. The common themes are heroic tales of love and sacrifice and of resistance against the evil. While in the West the two major genres of drama have been comedy and tragedy, in Persia, Ta'zieh seems to be the dominant genre. Considered as Persian opera, Ta'zieh resembles European opera in many respects.
Ta'zieh is the precursor to modern performing arts
Persian cinema and Persian symphonic music have been influenced by the long tradition of Tazieh in Iran. Abbas Kiarostami, a famous Iranian filmmaker, made a documentary movie titled "A Look to Ta'zieh" in which he explores the relationship of the audience to this theatrical form. Nasser Taghvaee also made a documentary on Ta'zieh titled "Tamrin e Akhar".
Ta'zieh performance in Isfahan
The appearance of the characteristic dramatic form of Persia known as the ta'zïye Mu'izz ad-Dawla, the king of Buyid dynasty, in 963. As soon as the Safavid Dynasty was established in Persia in 1501 and the Shiism of the Twelvers adopted as the official sect, the state took interest in theater as a tool of propagating Shiism.
Ta'zieh plays an important role in Muharram rituals in Iran
Iranian music in Ta'zieh
Iranian music has also been very effective in making Tazieh exciting. Singers in Tazieh rituals were familiar with Iranian music. It is because the way the events were expressed in Taziyeh was based on singing. The connection between Tazieh and music was not only through singing, but also musical instruments were used in taziyeh gatherings.
Sometimes before the beginning of Tazieh rituals, the festival starts by playing some instruments such as trumpet, drum, Dohol, Korna, Sorna, and Ney, to prepare the spectators to hear and see the rituals. In Tazieh, each of the instruments usually had a special use.
Tazieh was registered on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2010.
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