Tehran cultural centers host Tazieh performances

A number of cultural centers in Tehran have been playing host to the Iranian passion play of Tazieh.

Several groups of thespians at the cultural centers are performing the passion plays on martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions during the Karbala tragedy and on the day of Ashura.

One of the centers is the Art Garden of the Iranian Artists Forum, where director Majid Khosroabadi and his troupe Kahrobay-e Tazieh are portraying different stories from the tragedy every evening.

This Tazieh is about the martyrdom of Hazrat Ahmad ibn Musa (AS) who, along with his brothers embarked on a journey to visit their brother, Imam Reza (AS), in Khorasan.

However, Fars ruler Qotlogh Khan was assigned by Abbasid caliph Mamun the task of stopping them. They were all killed in an intense battle against the ruler’s forces.

The troupe also staged the martyrdom story of Hani ibn Urwa, a devoted follower of Imam Hussein (AS), who hosted Muslim ibn Aqil (AS), the messenger of the Imam to Kufa.

“Hazrat Muslim (AS) Tazieh” portrayed the journey of Muslim ibn Aqil al-Hashimi (AS) to Kufa a few days before the day of Ashura that led to martyrdom of the Imam and his companions.

A performance on the story of martyrdom of Muslim ibn Aqil’s sons, Muhammad and Ibrahim was also staged.

The story of Hurr ibn Riahi, one of Yazid’s commanders, who joined the troops of Imam Hussein (AS) on the eve of Ashura, is another highlight of the Tazieh program at Iranian Artists Forum.

A part of the program is dedicated to the stories about martyrdom of the Imam and his brother Hazrat Abbas (AS).

The Rudaki Open-Air Theater has been hosting Seyyed ush-Shohada Tazieh Group, directed by Ahmad Azizi, performing the same stories.

The UNESCO registered the Iranian passion play of Tazieh on its List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2010.

Tazieh presents religious events, historical and mythical stories and folk tales. Each performance has four components of poetry, music, song and motion.

MG/MG