On An Appreciation of Iranian Culture: The View from Mumbai (with Recollections of State College)

"The ancient feast of "Naw-Ruz". Naw-Ruz is celebrated in Iran and related cultures, but also by Bahá'is all over the world.This is our "Haft cin". It is a tradition to put up 7 things that start with a "c" (in Persian, like hyacinths, vinegar, coins and apples among others) for good fortune as well as other symbolic things (eggs, fish, mirror)." Uploaded on March 20, 2005 by NataschaM on flickr

In her personal reflection, Moi offers a look at Iran from the perspective of the Indian subcontinent. To her, Iran is more than fanatic mullahs. -gw

"Evening in the city [of Mumbai]"
Uploaded on August 12, 2005 by Tan.Sid on flickr

In India, Iran has been a strong influence on popular culture for centuries. In that perspective, the Islamic Revolution seems like a hiccup, or possibly a bad cold. For me, and for many of my compatriots, I'm sure, Iran is far more than fanatic mullahs (although there are unfortunately many of those at the helm there). Iranian classical and folk traditions have heavily influenced Indian ones, especially in painting, poetry, music, and architecture. Iran in the popular Indian imagination is not an Islamic pilgrimage site (unlike Najaf / Karbala in Iraq, or Mecca / Madina in Saudi Arabia), but rather a country of orchards and high culture.

"Sweet and tasty"

Uploaded on October 24, 2006

by isa13 on flickr

Together with Afghanistan, Iran was famous in the India of my grandmother's generation for figs, raisins, nuts, apples, berries, etc. Itinerant vendors sold the dried fruit and nuts from door to door. As a child, I imagined Iran to be a bit like Kashmir before terrorism (beautiful and rich land that yielded exotic things like saffron, walnuts and chestnuts; beautiful people; snow in the mountains; and exquisite art). Looking back now, I don't think I was far off the mark, although Kashmiri cities today are far less developed than Iranian ones (Kashmir being a less peaceful place than Iran). A substantial portion of most modern Indian languages consists of Farsi words (and it's not because of writing alone -- I include my own language, which has no script). These are words for ordinary things like salt and sugar, not just arcane literary or architectural forms.

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"This piece which is definately persian of a Zoroastrian tradition

is very similar in many regards to the type of art done in India"
Uploaded on May 10, 2006 by mykgerard on flickr

I think this strong and rich cultural relationship between Iran and the Indian subcontinent may be in part what has kept Indians from becoming ideologically opposed to Iran in these days of popular anti-Islamic sentiment. Remarkable, because India is home to two persecuted Iranian religious minorities -- Zoroastrians and Baha'is. ...

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"Old Main, Penn State"

Uploaded on March 4, 2007
by sokref1 on flickr

Thanks to my Iranian roommate of two years in State College, at one point I knew just about every Iranian in State College -- Shi'a, Sunni, and Baha'i. Most of them were very attached to Iranian culture, loved science, had a terrific sense of fun. My roommate herself was quite batty about volleyball. She and the other women all loved beautiful clothes (western style).

Moi, "More Than Mullahs," Misanthrope ...parce qu'en général l'enfant comme l'homme, et l'homme comme l'enfant aime mieux s'amuser que s'instruire -- Diderot (Le neveu de Rameau, c. 1761)

{Reposted with permission}