The 54th session of the literary association of Bidel Dehlavi in New Delhi was dedicated to the memory of Mir Seyyed Ali Hamedani, the 14th century Iranian mystic and scientist who lived part of his life in Kashmir, India, where he fought for raising people’s quality of life.
The session held under the auspices of the Centre of Persian Research of Iran Culture House in New Delhi was attended by a number of Persian language and history professors of Indian universities as well Iranian cultural officials.
Maulana Abul-Ma’ani Mirza Abdul-Qadir Bidel, also known as Bidel Dehlavi, was a famous representative of Persian poetry and Sufism in India. He is considered the most difficult and challenging poet of the Indian school of Persian poetry.
Highlighting the increasing importance of mysticism in the world, Ali Fouladi, cultural attaché of Iran, mentioned the high status of Seyyed Ali Hamedani among the influential Persian figures in India. He scripted more than 100 valuable manuscripts in various fields.
“Many literary and mystic figures of Iran have traveled to or lived in India for some time during their lifetime, resulting in the contribution of many precious Persian literary and historical books. The books are found in Indian libraries, making India one of the largest holders of Persian language manuscripts,” Fouladi added.
Hamedani was born in the early 14th century in Hamedan, Iran. After mastering various sciences of his day, he embarked on a long journey to meet mystics of the time in different parts of the world and to uproot illiteracy in various parts of Asia and the Caucasus region. He finally chose Kashmir, a place overwhelmed by social distresses, to settle and promote Islamic virtues.
Voice Against Injustice
One of his peculiarities was that he didn’t choose to live in isolation, unlike many other mystics; rather, he was socially active and not silent in face of injustice.
Later at the session, Mohammad T’azim, Indian professor of history pointed to the influence Hamedani had in spreading Islam and Farsi language in Kashmir. The mystic not only raised awareness and lifted the intellectual level of thinking among people, but also made significant changes in the ways of living, resulting in socioeconomic development of the region.
A ceremony was also held in late October in Tehran to mark the 700th birth anniversary of this great philosopher, where the ECO and UNESCO representatives cooperated in making a documentary of his life.
A part of Hamedani’s works in Farsi and Arabic languages are now kept in Rampur Raza Library, Uttar Pradesh, India.
