ENCYCLOPAEDIA IRANICA BENEFIT GALA AT LINCOLN CENTER

Payvand

May 26 2009
Iran

The Encyclopaedia Iranica is a multi-disciplinary reference work and
research tool designed to record the facts of Iranian history and
civilization. It focuses on the land, life, culture and history of
all Iranian peoples and their interaction with other societies.

>From the biographies of notable men and women in every field of
endeavor to descriptions of all Iranian cities and monuments (ancient
and modern), from oil installations to major banks, from Zoroastrian
scriptures to Jewish shrines and Islamic rituals, from Persian
classics to modern novels, from Iranian flora and fauna to Persian
music and folklore, from philosophy and mysticism to calligraphy
and architecture, all aspect of life in Iranian and related cultural
areas are studied and described in articles presenting the current
state of research in their texts and appended bibliographies.

To inform a worldwide readership of scholars and general readers and
to stimulate further research in different disciplines have been the
twin primary and continuing concerns of the project from the outset.

"Danses Mythologique" with Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam New York, June 28,
2009 – 7:00 p.m. – Alice Tully Hall Join us for a magical evening
featuring a series of dramatic dances choreographed by Shahrokh
Moshkin Ghalam, member of La Comedie Francaise. The dances, inspired by
masterpieces of Persian poetry, will be the centerpiece of a tribute
to the Encyclopaedia Iranica.

Part 1. "Khosrow and Shirin" in three acts:

Act 1. Khosrow’s frivolous young years Act 2. Shirin dreamily awaiting
Khosrow Act 3. The lovers meet: pride and passion

"Khosrow and Shirin" is based on a historical story of love and
enchantment portraying Shirin, a princess of Armenia, and Khosrow,
the Persian Emperor, as lovers. Composed by Nezami, an acclaimed
Persian poet of the 12th century, the sensuous, dramatic, and refined
love epic not only displays Nezami’s daring stylistic innovations,
but also his genius for a delineation of the intense inner life of
a broad range of characters, in particular women, who are depicted
as strong-willed and sophisticated figures, while at the same time
capable of much tenderness and even self-sacrifice for their high
ideals. The Metropolitan Museum of Arts houses a series of splendid
miniatures illustrating the romantic epic. To learn more, you may
consult Encyclopaedia Iranica’s article on Khosrow and Shirin.

Part 2. "Bahram-e Gur and Dorsati" in three acts:

Act 1. Bahram hunting a female onager, followed by his bloody combat
with the dragon Act 2. Dorsati telling her story through dance Act
3. The marriage of Dorsati and Bahram

"Bahram-e Gur and Dorsati" is inspired by the story of the "White
Pavilion," from Seven Pavilions, another magnificent romantic epic
by Nezami. While wandering through the palace, the Sasanian king
Bahram-e Gur discovers a locked room containing the portraits of seven
princesses, one from each of the seven climes, with whom he immediately
falls in love, and wins them as his brides. To house his new wives,
he orders the construction of seven domed pavillions each ruled by
one of the seven planets and adorned with the color associated with
the clime and planet of its occupant. Each day of the week, the king
visits a different princess in her splendid pavilion and she regales
him with a story matching the mood of her respective color. On Friday,
the seventh day of the week in the Persian calendar, the king visits
the White Pavilion, associated with the planet Venus, where Dorsati,
the Princess of Persia, mesmerizes him by her sensual stories. To
learn more, you may consult Encyclopaedia Iranica’s articles on Haft
Peykar and Bahram.

Part 3. "Sohrab and Gordafarid" in one act:

"Sohrab and Gordafarid" is inspired by the Shahnameh (Book of
Kings), a masterly rendition of Iran’s national history in verse by
Ferdowsi. Gordafarid is a legendary valiant young girl who, in the
guise of a man, defeats several warriors. She is, however, defeated
by Sohrab. Upon removing her helmet, he realizes that his adversary
belongs to the opposite sex and falls in love with her. Gordafarid
takes Sohrab up to the gate of the fortress, which she enters, and
the gate closes behind her. The most haunting part of this episode
is her conversation with Sohrab, who unbeknown by his father, Rostam,
Persia’s legendary national hero, is killed by him.

Cast Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam is an internationally acclaimed Persian
artist, who specializes in Middle Eastern and mystical dances and has
a deep interest in Indian, Indonesian, and Flamenco dances. Shahrokh
joined the renowned Theatre du Soleil in 1991, where he played lead
roles in several of Ariane Mnouchkine’s productions. He has also played
in two of Shakespeare plays "Twelfth Night", directed by Christophe
Rauch, and Romeo and Juliet" directed by Lionel Briand.

Karine Gonzalez is an eminent artist whose dances integrate many
styles, including Persian mystic dancing. Karine’s performances as
Shirin and Gordafarid enhance the dramatic effect of the program.

Sanaz Partovi is the noted young Persian choreographer and solo
performer, who revives the poetic essence of the legends through her
fascinating and inimitable narration.

Sponsorship

The formidable dances will be the centerpiece of an evening of tribute
to the Encyclopaedia Iranica, a project of Columbia University’s
Center for Iranian Studies, which presents the Persian aspect of
almost every field of human endeavor and its significance in the
broader history of human civilization.

The program is co-sponsored by the Fertility Research Foundation,
founded by Masood Khatamee, MD, FACOG, who is a clinical professor
at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine. The Foundation is
engaged in public education and policy development as a pioneering
medical center in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infertility
as well as fertility preservation and restoration.