Tracking themes in Manuchehri’s candle conundrum in Arabic and Persian poetry till the end of 7th century AH

• Main Authors: Parvane Saneai, Aliakbar Ahmadi darani
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: University of Isfahan 2016-09-01
• Series: Literary Arts
• Online Access: http://liar.ui.ac.ir/article_20587_f1f11ca5d16d8015ccd1243004ac7af4.pdf
• ISSN: 2008-8027; 2322-3448

Abstract In Persian poetry, the ode of candlesconundrum by Manouchehri (d 431 AH) with opening lines “Oh you’ve gotten on your crown, our body is alive by your life and your life by the body (Manouchehri, 1991: 79) is well-known among literature scholars and followers. The ode has been composed in the praise of Unsuri Balkhi (d. 431 AH) who was regarded for Mahmoud Ghaznavi as Malek o-Sho'arā Bahār. The ode is begun by the candle conundrum and its description, and ended by pen name couplet through the reproach and complaint against Manouchehri’s green-eyeds. And then Manouchehri continues by expressing his scholarship and expertise in Arabic literature. It may be thought that the candle conundrum and its theme is of Manouchehri’s initiatives, while Manouchehri serves as a linking transferring some of themes in candle conundrum from Arabic literature to Persian one. He possessed a wide range of information on Arabic literature, literary themes and Arab poets. After him, there are 9 candle conundrums from the beginning of 4th century AH, until the end of 7th century in Persian literature. Some poets imitated and followed Manouchehri including Osman Mokhtari (512-548 AH). Mu'izzi (d. 520 AH). Abdul al-Rahim Sarakhsi also known as Ayazi (d. 6th century AH). Rafei Neyshabouri (d. 6th century AH). Zulfikar Shervani (d. 669 AH). Nizam Al-Din Qamar Isfahani (d. 7th century AH). Athir al-Din Akhsiketi (d. 609 AH). Seif Esfarangi (6th & 7th century AH) and Farid Ahval Isfahani (7th century AH). They followed him in topic, rhyme and rhythm, form and theme. 1) Following in Topics: Conundrums in Persian literature are of description categories. Description is considered as one of poetic motives. And its importance and application in prose is much more than other poetic motives. Conundrums are composed in two manners:First: the poet clearly points out the composed conundrum. Second: the poet doesn’t points out explicitly the conundrum, and most of conundrums are fallen in this category such as this candle conundrum by Manouchehri. Poets such as Osman Mokhtari, Mu'izzi and Abdul al-Rahim Sarakhsi has begun their odes by interjection like Manouchehri. 2) Following in rhyme and rhythm: Rhythm of Manuchehri’s candle conundrum is Faelaton Faelaton Faelaton Faelat (Ramn Mossamman Mahzoof). The same is of the most important cue to attract poets’ attention to each other's poetry. Of 9 poets following Manouchehri, 5 poets have imitated Manouchehri in rhyme and rhythm and even in Zohaf. These poets are Osman Mokhtari, Abdul al-Rahim Sarakhsi, Zulfikar Shervani, Rafei Neyshabouri, and Athir al-Din Akhsiketi. It is noticeable that after Manouchehri, none of conundrums has been in Radif following him. In terms of rhyme, Manuchehri has chosen the rhyme character “ن”. In this respect, Seif Esfarangi, Rafei Neyshabouri, Farid Ahval Isfahani, and Abdul al-Rahim Sarakhsi have followed exactly Manuchehri. 3) Following in form: All of above poets, except Qamar Isfahani, followed Manouchehri in terms of the form. Qamar Isfahani has described the candle in the form of Gheteh. Of other Manouchehri’s characteristics followed by poets is the number of couplets in conundrum. Manouchehri has dedicated 17 couplets to conundrum, Mu'izzi (15 couplets), Seif Esfarangi (16 couplets), Farid Ahval Isfahani (16 couplets), and Osman Mokhtari (17 couplets) have composed the most couplets in conundrum following Manouchehri. 4) Following in themes:  Manouchehri has derived some of his themes for ode of candle conundrum from Arabic literature. Following him, other poets have applied such themes in their poets. In fact, at the beginning of this stream is seen the composition of candle conundrum whose first symptoms can be seen in Arab poetry. Following Manouchehri, the poets have used in their poems the themes as follows: Shortening the wick of the candle, candles’ yellow face, candles’ laughing and crying, candles’ soul and body, Love and Lovers.