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Tribute to Hadj Nemat
Hadj Nemat, Ostad Elahi’s father, passed away on 28 February 1920. The following two documents honour the memory of this great spiritual figure who also happened to be an inspired mystical poet. The first is Renaud Garcia-Fons and Claire Antonini’s musical tribute based on Hadj Nemat’s “Monajat”: it was recorded a the Maison de Radio France on February 25th. The second document, a poem entitled “Unfaithfulness of the World”, is one of the masterpieces of Hadj Nemat’s The Book of the Kings of Truths. The English translation we republish here was done by Martin Hoffman, on the basis of Leili Anvar’s French version.
Musical excerpt
Monajat of Hadj Nemat : Suite in ut
Malak Jan : Zekr
Vieux Gauthier : Chacone
Excerpt of the radio programme “Un mardi idéal” by Arièle Butaux, 25 February 2014, France Musique
Unfaithfulness of the world
The Book of the Kings of Truth was written by Hadj Nemat in 1919. In this book composed of more than 15000 verses, Hadj Nemat recounts the life of the saints, prophets, and great spiritual figures of humanity. Narrative sequences alternate with more meditative passages in the form of prayers, recommendations or invocations. An expression of Hadj Nemat’s mystical personality, of his unconditional love for the Divine and his relentless quest for the knowledge of spiritual truths, The Book of the Kings of Truth also tells something about the particular atmosphere which characterised Ostad Elahi’s early years.
In the poem entitled “Unfaithfulness of the world”, Hadj Nemat speaks his heart on the impermanence of the world.
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I have reason to complain of this world that turns Of the noise and the clamor that rises as it churns Of its countermovements that deceive What can I say about this world, so crooked and bent Fortune and glory it bestows on some To others it feeds toil and blood To some it gives joy, a cause for celebration I know not the riddle of this ancient vale A world in upheaval, a world that destroys The heart of time and space it rends Rust and dust cover this world of old O how many luminous prophets and seers How many kings glorious and heroic How many mystics absorbed by God’s presence How many men and women throughout the ages Have come into this world to be put to the test |
None of them could find any comfort here What they found instead was turmoil and fear All who come here suffer some measure of pain An instant of happiness is chased by a hundred ills In this world in which no desire can be realized He who rode horseback did so for a day No one here has seen the least stability Now it’s the spring, now it’s the fall Though the world constantly changes its hue Many have journeyed down this trodden lane And you, my heart, do not allow this world to catch you unaware In the end, all that remains is a person’s name The benevolence of the good remain with them eternally O heart, devote yourself to beneficence with all your might Such goodness will endure in the people’s memory |
This poem was published in French in Orient, Mille ans de poésie et de peinture, Diane de Selliers éditeur, 2004.
Translation from Persian into French by Leili Anvar-Chenderoff; translation from French into English by Martin Hoffman.
Further readings:
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The musical clip is very beautiful
I did not want the music to end. It was like drops of rain on a dried land, panacea for my wounded heart, it was telling me “don’t be afraid, I am here, with you”.
The audio excerpt is a conversation with the “One”. Begins with the complains of this earthly world, its ups and downs and toward the end the joy and comfort in the other world! Thank you for sharing.
Such a beautiful and meaningful translation! This is an amazing poem. Thank you
Thank you for this beautiful, moving and inspiring tribute.
Thank you soooo much for this poem – it’s so meaningful, so educational , so uplifting and simply a guide for all.
As the anniversary of Hadj Nemat’s passing approaches, it is particularly poignant to reconnect with this wonderful tribute to this inspirational figure.
Thank you so much for this wonderful article and beautiful music. What an honest and brave individual to have shared all this wisdom and knowledge with us at a time where no one could even dare to speak their mind!