Art & Culture October 30, 2019 3 This Day in History Virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor Receives WOMEX Award (October 30) The event’s website had previous- Stern Human Spirit’ award at the Today is Wednesday; 8th of the Iranian month of Aban 1398 solar hijri; corresponding to 1st of the Islamic month of Rabi al-Awwal 1441 lunar hijri; and October 30, 2019, ly announced that after receiving Shanghai Isaac Stern International of the Christian Gregorian Calendar. the award, Kalhor would perform Violin Competition (SISIVC). The 1382 solar years ago, on this day in 637 AD, Antioch in Syria surrendered to the as a duo together with Erdal Erzin- event is a biennial violin competi- Muslim forces after the Battle of the Iron Bridge that was fought near a nine-arch stone bridge spanning the River Orontes in what is now southeastern , but is can on bağlama in what will be the tion in commemoration of violinist geographically and historically part of Syria. The aftermath of the battle marked the final concert of WOMEX 19. Isaac Stern, which takes place in nearly complete annexation of the large Roman province of Syria by the Muslims, one “Receiving the WOMEX Artist Shanghai, China. of whose victorious commanders in this battle was Malek Ashtar, who later loyally served the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS) and was made governor of Award means so much to me. The In February 2017, Internation- Egypt with the famous epistle that is regarded till this day as the finest charter of award is recognition of the rich cul- al Silk Road Ensemble featuring human rights. ture of my homeland Iran and an Kalhor won a Grammy award. 1441 lunar years ago, on the eve of this day when the Arabs of Mecca plotted to ageless Persian art that thrives and assassinate Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), he was commanded by God to migrate to Yathreb, which became known as “Medinat an-Nabi” (City of the Prophet), or is beloved throughout the world. During the 59th annual Gram- simply Medina, as it is known to this day. On the night of 1st Rabi al-Awwal, the As forces arise across the globe my awards ceremony, the group’s Prophet asked his dear ward and cousin, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS), to sleep on his and push for divisiveness, bor- album, “Sing Me Home”, won bed so that the assassins hovering around the abode of divine revelation would think Iranian traditional music maestro of kamancheh Kayhan Kalhor. their intended victim was still in the house, and this would enable the Prophet to leave ders and intolerance, music brings Grammy for the Best World Music Mecca undetected. The young Imam Ali (AS) gladly accepted the proposal at the risk (FNA) -- Globally-re- Artist Award 2019 in Tampere, Fin- us together and reminds us of our Album. of his life and limbs. At the break of dawn when the infidel Arabs burst into the house nowned Iranian traditional music land “for the mastery and virtuosity common humanity. As a citizen of Born in 1963 to a Kurdish family to carry out their murderous plot, to their surprise, up sprang from the bed the valiant Ali (AS), while the Prophet was nowhere to be found. The frustrated Meccans afraid maestro of kamancheh Kayhan of the kamancheh, for the ceaseless the world, I am humbled by this in the Western Iranian city of Ker- to face the Imam, darted out in every direction hoping to find their victim, but the Kalhor has been awarded the pres- innovation and collaboration to recognition and stand with artists manshah, Kalhor started learning Prophet had safely taken refuge in the Cave of Thaur far away from the city. A party tigious WOMEX artist prize for create exciting new musical lan- whose music fosters unity,” Kalhor music at the age of five and began of infidels tracked his footprints to the said cave, but by the time they arrived there had said when he first received the his professional activity at the lo- was a big cobweb on its mouth while a bird had laid eggs, presenting the spectacle of “bringing the Persian classical mu- guages and for bringing the Persian an undisturbed place. They left in despair and later when the danger had subsided the sic tradition to the ears of people all classical music tradition to the ears news in August. cal broadcasting organization of his Prophet continued his trek toward Medina. As exegetes of the holy Qur’an agree, God over the world”. of people all over the world,” ac- The Iranian kamancheh virtuo- hometown when he was 13 years Almighty pleased with this selfless act of Imam Ali (AS) revealed ayah 207 of Surah so had previously won the ‘Isaac old. Baqarah in his praise, which reads: Kalhor received the WOMEX cording to the event’s organizers. “And among mankind is he who sells his soul seeking the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is Most Kind to (His) servants.” Hijra or the historic migration, thus heralds the emergence of Islam from a persecuted Iranian-Czech ‘Son-Mother’ Sweeps Awards at Festival faith to a dynamic state religion, which eventually asserted its universal nature by enlightening most of mankind. After the Prophet’s passing away, the Hijra, as per TEHRAN (IFILM) -- The 14th 12-year-old son Amir and his the advice of Imam Ali (AS), was fixed as the basis of the Islamic calendar, but edition of International Rome little sister on her own, and pro- unfortunately, the 2nd caliph chose to retain the pagan practice of Muharram I as start Film Festival in has award- vide ... income without support. of the New Year instead of Rabi al-Awwal I, the actual date. ed Iranian-Czech co-production In addition, the Iranian econo- 1376 lunar years ago, on this day in 65 AH, the Tawwabin or Penitents launched ‘Son-Mother’. my, her free spirit, and the daily their heroic uprising in Iraq to avenge the innocent blood of Imam Husain (AS), who Directed by Mahnaz Moham- gossip could make her lose her was cruelly martyred in Karbala in 61 AH (680 AD) by the bloodthirsty hordes of madi, the movie won two top factory job at any time. When the Omayyad usurper, Yazid. The Tawwabin were mostly inhabitants of Kufa and prizes at the Alice Nella Citta the lovable, widowed bus driver its surroundings who had invited the Prophet’s grandson to Iraq to free them from tyranny, but when Yazid sent the brutal Obaidullah Ibn Ziyad as governor, these section of the Italian event. Kazem proposes to her, she and people, despite numbering several thousand, lost the courage to support the Imam, ‘Son-Mother’ received the her son are faced with making a and left him alone to be martyred along with 72 steadfast companions including his awards for best film and best di- serious decision – because this 6-month infant, Ali Asghar (AS). When the children and womenfolk of the Prophet’s rector at the mentioned section new marriage is tied to an im- household along with the heads of the martyrs mounted on lances, were paraded in which is devoted to children’s possible condition,” the Zurich Kufa these people were shocked, and soon on the death of Yazid they rose up to drive films. festival’s website wrote about away Ibn Ziyad. Finally on this day in 65, after visiting the grave of the martyred The film addresses the impact the 102-minute ‘Son-Mother’. Imam and beseeching God for forgiveness, the penitents, clad in white shrouds and of tradition on the lives of wom- A still from Iranian-Czech film ‘Son-Mother’. Those starring in the flick in- numbering about 4,000 led by the Prophet’s aged 93-year companion, Sulayman bin en in present-day Iran, when a clude Raha Khodayari, Mahan Surad al-Khuzaie (one of the conquerors of Transoxiana or Central Asia), formally young widow is faced with the marriage proposal that could al Film Festival in and Nasiri, Reza Behboudi and Shiva launched their uprising, swearing either to wreak vengeance upon the killers or mean financial security — but the 15th Zurich Film Festival in achieve martyrdom in the process. They created awe and fear among the better armed choice to either abandon her son Ordouee. Omayyad forces sent from Syria, and after initially routing the enemy, most of them or succumb to poverty. could also tear her family apart. Switzerland. The Rome Film Fest was estab- achieved martyrdom. The remnants joined the uprising of Mokhtar Ibn Abi Obayda ‘Son-Mother’ is about a widow It has gone on screen at a num- “Leila does not really have a lished in February 2007 to pro- Thaqafi for the same purpose and succeeded in bringing to justice most of the killers who works tirelessly at a failing ber of global events, including choice. Ever since her husband mote cinema at a local, national of the Prophet’s grandson, including Ibn Ziyad, Omar Ibn Sa’d, Shemr Ziljowshan, factory in Iran. She receives a the 44th Toronto Internation- died, she had to take care of her and international level. Harmala bin Kahel, Khouli, etc. 1261 solar years ago, on this day in 758 AD, Guangzhou in southeastern China saw an expedition mounted by a joint force of Arab and Iranian sailors who took control of this port city, following massacre of thousands of Muslim merchants and Iran Documentary Awarded at Tajik Festival their families by the Chinese rebel leader, Huang Chao, during the days of Emperor TEHRAN (MNA) – Ira- ously won the award for Suzong of the Tang Dynasty. 749 solar years ago, on this day in 1270 AD, the Eighth Crusade and siege of Tunis, nian documentary ‘Water- the best documentary and mounted by invaders from Europe, ended by an accord between Sultan Mohammad folks’, directed by Azadeh the best short film from I al-Mustansir of Tunis and Charles I of Sicily (brother of King Louis IX of France, who died months earlier on invading this Muslim land). T Bizargiti, has won an award the 10th Middle East Now 737 solar years ago, on this day in 1282 AD, the famous biographer of Iranian stock, at the first edition of Didor Festival in Florence, Italy, Shams od-Din Abu’l-Abbas Ahmad Ibn Mohammad Ibn Khallikan passed away in International Documentary and received a diploma for Damascus at the age of 71. His most renowned work is the biographical dictionary entitled “Wafayaat al-Ayaan wa-Anba Abna az-Zamaan” (Deaths of Eminent Men Film Festival in Tajikistan. Best Director of Short Doc- and Accounts of the Sons of the Epoch), which took eighteen years to complete. The award for the “Best umentary at 12th Iran Inter- 679 solar years ago, on this day in 1340 AD, Portuguese and Spanish Castilian forces halted the Muslims in the Battle of Río Salado, but failed to subjugate the Emirate Reflection of National Her- national Documentary Film of Granada. itage” went to ‘Waterfolks’, Festival, known as Cinema 394 lunar years ago, on this day in 1047 AH, Iranian merchant, statesman, poet and Iranian documentary ‘Waterfolks’, directed by Azadeh Bizargiti. scholar, Mir Mohammad Amin Shahristani, who held the post of Mir Jumla (prime directed by Iranian film- Vérité. minister/chancellor) in the Qutb Shahi kingdom of Golkandah/Hyderabad in the maker Azadeh Bizargiti. Deccan (southern India), died at the age of 66 in Hindustan (northern India), while in the service of Moghal Emperor Noor od-Din Jahangir. The documentary is a poet- 393 solar years ago, on this day in 1626 AD, Dutch astronomer and mathematician, ic narration of the story of a Willebrord Snellius, who falsely attributed to himself the Iranian Islamic scientist Ibn Sahl’s “Law of Refraction of Light”, died at the age of 46. woman living and working on 109 solar years ago, on this day in 1910 AD, Founder of International Committee of Hengam Island in Hormozgan the Red Cross, Henri Dunant, died at the age of 82. He backed efforts to help and save the wounded in wars, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 for his humanitarian province, southern Iran. services. The jury members in- 39 solar years ago, on this day in 1980 AD, the courageous Iranian boy, Seyyed Mohammad Hussein Fahmideh, who had just stepped into his teens, attained cluded Gulnara Abikee- martyrdom in the port city of Khorramshahr at the age of 13 during the initial days va (Kazakhstan), Alireza of the 8-year war imposed on Iran by the US through Saddam. Born in holy Qom, he went to the warfronts to confront the cowardly Ba’thist enemy. In a bid to stop Shahrouhi (Iran), and Geor- Iraqi columns from advancing, he tied grenades around his waist and fearlessly giy Dzalaev, a director of threw himself into the path of a tank, destroying it and attaining martyrdom in the process. Aban 8 is marked in Iran as Day of Youth and Day of Student Basijis. photography and documen- Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini lauded this young martyr, saying: tary films. “Our leader is that 12-year-old child, who attained martyrdom while blowing up an enemy tank.” The first International Di- 28 solar years ago, on this day in 1991 AD, under US pressure, the so-called Middle dor Documentary Film Fes- East Peace Conference was held in Madrid, Spain, between the illegal Zionist entity, and Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestine Liberation Organization. tival in Tajikistan was held 12 solar years ago, on this day in 2007 AD, Iranian revolutionary and committed from October 16 to Octo- poet, Qaysar Aminpour passed away at the age of 48. Born in the vicinity of the southwestern city of Dezful, he came to Tehran after completion of his primary ber 20, 2019, complement- and high school studies, got his PhD in and Literature from ing the already established Tehran University. As of the early days after the victory of Islamic Revolution, he composed revolutionary poems and helped set up literary and art associations. His bi-annual International Film works include “Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Poetry” and “Noon of Festival Didor on feature the Tenth Day”. For the 20th consecutive year, the largest ‘nazri’ broth in the world was made in Shiraz to mark the an- films. niversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s passing. Courtesy of Mehr News Agency (Courtesy: IRIB English Radio – http://parstoday.com/en) ‘Waterfolks’ had previ-