On the occasion of the 741st death anniversary of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (aka Mawlana), Ayan Band led by Hajir Mehrafrouz will perform in Konya, Turkey in December.
In the performance, singer Hajirazad will render 10 pieces from the album ‘Qhalandar’ and some new songs, Honaronline reports.
Ayan Band follows a style that is a combination of traditional Persian and fusion music. The last time they held a concert was about a month ago when they performed at Tehran’s Milad Tower on the occasion of Eid al-Ghadeer.
Rumi’s death anniversary is known in Turkey as ‘Wedding Night’ (Seb-i Arus in Turkish) which refers to the idea that when a mystic dies, he or she is believed to have attained union with the beloved God. Therefore, it is an occasion of celebration rather than mourning and mystics gather together to recite poetry and prayers, and whirl in tribute.
Meditative Whirling
The main commemoration takes place in Konya every year, with the presentation of the whirling dervish ceremony. They are famous for the meditative practice of whirling, their signature ceremony that became elegantly codified during the Ottoman period.
Every year on December 17, the night of Mawlana’s death, thousands of people from around the world gather at the Mawlana Mausoleum to celebrate Seb-i Arus, his reunion with his Beloved, the Divine. The event includes a Sema performance - a whirling dervish show - and a concert.
Rumi, was the well-know 13th century mystic, Islamic scholar, and poet, whose Persian writings are considered to be a pinnacle of mystical art that transcends religious, cultural and ethnic boundaries. Rumi’s poetry continues to inspire long after his death. His epitaph reads, “When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men.”
