From: zamie@zamiepcSanDiego.NCR.com (Zamie Mehraz)
Subject: Rudaki, Father of Persian SOng
Date: 24 Jun 93 20:16:54 GMT


Ba Dorood:

Rudaki or the correct version, Rudagi (880 - 954 A.D.) owed his name to
his natal town Rudag, a small place beyond the river Oxus, located near
Bukharra and Samarkand (in Transoxiana, central Asia).  Tradition has it
that he was so clever as a boy that he knew the whole Kuran by heart at
the age of 8.  Also, he was blind although that makes all the more
surprising the sense of color which is shown in the fragments of his
poetry that have survived.  Anyway, nature endowed him not only with the
gift of poesy, but also with a rich voice for singing and a talent
likewise for playing the lute (Chang in Persian).  

Fortune early selected Rudagi for her favorite, and led him to the court
of Samanid prince Nasr II (913 - 942) which he graced till his royal
patron's death.  During these halcyon days honors and riches were
showered upon him in abundance; and the retinue of his attendants formed
a line of 200, while double that number of horses and camals was needed
to carry his baggage.  In addition to the royal favor of Nasr, Rudagi
recieved generous recognition from his poetic peers, as is proved by his
fellow-minstrel and friends, Shahid of Balkh, who said in a verse which
has remained, Bravo (Afarin) might be praised for the lines of other poets.

Rudagi's popularity, moreover, with all alike at court and in camp is
proved by the story that he was the one selected to try to win Nasr's
thoughts back to Bukharra when that Samanid monarch tarried four years
away from home, enchanted by the charm of the region around Herat.  The
bard's ready wit was quick to improvise the means.  So well acquainted
was he with his royal patron's moods that, as the Persian writers
relate, 'he knew prose would no affect him, and therefore had recourse
to verse.   At the moment when Nasr had quaffed his morning cup, 'Rudagi
came in and did obeisance, and sat down in his accustomed place; and
when the musicians had ceased, he took up the lute, and playing the
"Lover's air" began this elegy; opening with the tender strain, 

                                            T      |   |
                                  _o_8   ]_ |   .  |_,_|q_o       q_7      q_
                               (_S        :    (_)   :  /     (_S /.   (_S /.


=begin=
bvy jvy mvlyan Ayd hmy

Meaning, the perfume sweet of Muliyan's stream comes to me and remember
also of longed-for friends.

Anyway, think talked too much.  Rooz Hamagi Khoosh va Shad.