EP2: An Epic Poem
Episode Description
Time & Again explores Iran’s rich and deep culture through the lens of the LACMA exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art. The series is hosted by actor/comedian Maz Jobrani with LACMA curator Linda Komaroff.
No matter what gender, generation, class, religion or political inclination, every Iranian knows about the epic poem, the Shahnama or Book of Kings. In this episode, we explore this work through the artists and scholars who are inspired by it and appreciate how such a literary masterpiece has remained relevant for over a thousand years.
For more information on the topics discussed in this episode:
- The Shahnama, the Iranian national epic
- Firdawsi (Abu’l-Qasim Firdawsi Tusi), author of the Shahnama
- Rustam, the greatest hero of the Shahnama
- Kayumars, the first king in the Shahnama
Contributors
Music
- Theme music by Axiom of Choice
- Selections from the Shahnama read by Gordafarid, the first female naqqal or Iranian epic storyteller
Production
Produced for LACMA by SOUND MADE PUBLIC.
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