In this program I continue to explore what poetry was to Rumi. Sometimes it was the music to his happy moments, and comfort during sadness. But he also used it for more complex things like keeping us curious, or showing us the value in perplexity. Most of all, he loved helping us discover the movement in things that seem unable to move, like grapes’ journey to sweetness. I end with our own journey to Shiraz, again, where Saʿdi’s poetry helped me reach my ailing mother.
Rumi’s words have brought us together. What is in his poetic speech that educates, delights, and transforms us? There are many ways to address this question. In this 40th episode of Radio Rumi, I discuss our poet’s understanding of the concept of speaking, its impact on our lives, and on those of others around us.
In this program, I focus on the best ways to understand Rumi’s poetry. One of my goals is to counter the idea of turning him into an infallible saint. Equally important, poets from distant times and unfamiliar traditions are hard to understand. I make suggestions about ways to put Rumi’s lively and effective poetry into their context to become understandable to western audiences in the 21st century.
Radio Rumi is a gift to those who wish to taste Rumi’s words.
The purpose is not to analyze, theorize, or prove anything. These are conversations meant to bring Rumi’s poetry to life.
Invitations to enter his vibrant universe and see with fresh eyes.
Welcome to this exploration.
Radio Rumi is hosted by Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz, Director and Professor at the University of Maryland. Keshavarz is author of award-winning books including Reading Mystical Lyric: the Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi (USC Press,1998), Recite in the Name of the Red Rose (USC Press, 2006) and a book of literary analysis and social commentary titled Jasmine and Stars: Reading more than Lolita in Tehran (UNC Press, 2007). She has also published other books and numerous journal articles. Keshavarz is a published poet in Persian and English and an activist for peace and justice. Currently, she directs the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures as well as Roshan Institute for Persian Studies at UMD.
transcript of audio file
Credits
Opening song: Arayesh e ghaliz, Homayun Shajarian
Producer: Sogand Seirafi
Graphic Designer: Amaal Yazdi
Editorial Consultant: Faezeh Lotfalian
Project Manager: Samar Ata
Audio editing: Tommy Hegarty
Technical assistance is provided by the Center for Innovation in Teaching at Learning, University of Maryland