‘Sohrevardi’ Play in Fall

‘Sohrevardi,’ a play on life and philosophy of the Persian philosopher and founder of the Iranian school of illumination or ‘Hikmat al Ishraq’ Shahab al-Din Yahya ibn Habash Sohrevardi (1154-1191), is to be staged at Vahdat Hall in the fall.

“Sohrevardi is planned to be staged at Vahdat Hall in October and November. Art designers of the play have been selected. We are now auditing the cast,” director of the play Shokr-Khoda Goudarzi, 57, told Mehr News Agency.

According to Goudarzi, the décor of the play is to be designed by set designer Reza Mehdizadeh, 39; music by film score composer Behzad Abdi, 44; choreography by theater actor, director, researcher and choreographer Mohsen Hosseini, 60; and costumes by Mojgan Eyvazi, 38, who designs both décor and costumes. “I prefer not to name the thespians before the cast is finalized,” Goudarzi said.

“I wrote Sohrevardi a few years back. It underwent a series of changes after several reading sessions. The script is now finalized. Now we should look for performing ideas,” he said and expressed hope that, after finalizing the cast, rehearsal will start in mid-May.

“Sohrevardi has introduced a series of very intricate philosophical discussions by combining the ideas of Hermetic wisdom, Islamic philosophy and ancient Iranian thoughts.

But his interpretation of Qur’an was rejected by other contemporary scholars. Eventually in 1191, he was executed. He was cast down from atop a citadel on charges of cultivating false teachings.

In later centuries, his philosophy came to the attention of great philosophers such as Iranian theologian Molla Sadra (1571-1640). Even celebrated Persian poets such as Rumi (1207-1273) and Hafez (1326-1390) were influenced by his ideas. Sohrevardi was a multi-sided figure and it takes much research to render his character,” he said.

Goudarzi wrote the play partly because he believes the youth should become more familiar with Sohrevardi’s thoughts.