CSI'S Monday Majlis: Kamran Talattof
Demystifying the Mystic: Nezami Ganjavi and Classical Persian Literature.
The CSI Monday Majlis is a Monday evening, online event, where invited speakers present on aspects of their current research
| An Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies research event | |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 December 2022 |
| Time | 17:00 to 18:30 |
| Place | Online |
| Provider | Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies |
Event details
Monday the 12th of December. 17:00-18:30 (UK time)
Kamran Talattof, Demystifying the Mystic: Nezami Ganjavi and Classical Persian Literature
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://Universityofexeter.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrce-tpzwrG9xdL1jQGTez9SGf97yILHdd
Abstract
In my previous works on the 12th century poet Nezami [Nizami] Ganjavi, I have shown that he uses numerous concepts and themes related to love, women, fantasy, science, Islamic faith, and his favorite subject Sakhon (speech) to construct intricate poetic allegories. In this book, I would continue my inquiry into the works of Nezami with a comparative approach. I analyze these concepts and themes in comparison to the treatment of the same concepts and themes of other giants of Persian poetry, including Ferdowsi, Khayyam, Rumi, Sa'di, Hafez, Jami, etc., to reveal Nezami's unique technique in creating his craft. Through six chapters of the book, I challenge the notion that religion was the only source of inspiration and creativity for Nezami's literary output, arguing that he indeed possesses a systematic, professional, progressive, and, if you will, theoretical approach to his art of speech. It is the combination of these that distinguishes Nezami from other Persian literary luminaries. I will analyze all of Nezami's poetry to demonstrate the connection between his treatment of different themes and subjects and his dedication to his poetic profession. I would argue the need for reading the works of Nezami without ascribing any ideological advocacy to the poet to understand not only the source of his creativity but also the literary techniques he uses to construct his poetry.
Micro-bio
Kamran Talattof received his Ph. D. from The University of Michigan in 1996, and he has been teaching at the University of Arizona since 1999 after teaching at Princeton University for three years. He is currently a full professor for the Department of Near Eastern Studies while holding an affiliation with the Department of Gender & Women's Studies and the Graduate Program in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching. He has taught courses on classical and modern Persian literature, Iranian cinema, Iranian history, the Persian language, and Middle Eastern Women's writings. Kamran Talattof has received a few awards for his teaching and services to the field of Persian and Iranian Studies. He has served on several national and international committees within academic associations and on the editorial committees of academic journals, as well as on several ad-hoc international committees. He's authored, co-edited, and co-translated books focusing on issues of gender, sexuality, ideology, culture, and Persian language pedagogy. His articles also focus on gender, ideology, culture, and fundamentalism. Kamran Talattof is the Founding Chair of the Roshan Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Persian and Iranian Studies.
