BIOGRAPHY OF FERDOSI

HAKIM ABOLGHASEM FERDOSI born in 940 C.E in TOUS city. His father was a farmer with considerable wealth and status. ABOLGHASEM was getting good income from father`s property. But gradually lost all and became poor.
From the time he was paying attention to acquire knowledge, was interested to read the story and loved the history and details of Iran`s past. He was searching for original stories, therefore spent 30 years to work on it. He says:
So far I suffered for thirty years
I made alive the Persian community
I made a big palace out of poem
The wind and the rain do not harm
New buildings will be ruined
From the rain and sunshine
HAKIM started his work in 980 CE. Before starting this work, he had considerable wealth. And also some of KHORASAN elders who were interested in the ancient history of Iran, helped him. But after many years, while most of SHAHNAMEH was written, suffered from poverty. Oh universe, what you offer in old age
When I was young, made me super
In old age, you showed disgrace
Instead of reward, gave me cane
Disappeared all the wealth
Poet was planning to use his pen to remind people what they were. He wanted to bring back the language. Contrary to what is commonly known, Poet has written the book for personal reason. But he was in shortage of money. So dedicated it to KING MAHMOUD GHAZNAVI. Followers of king, accused HAKIM to atheism. In fact, faith in SHIA religion was added to this topic. So Mahmoud ignored him. Once king told FERDOSI: SHAHNAMEH is nothing except the history of ROSTAM. And in my army you will find thousands of men like him. Angry man of TOUS made some bits against stingy king and went away. Fear of punishment forced him to live in hide. When he returned to his home town was sick and sad. Finally died in poorness. Friends buried him in his own garden. After some years king became remorseful and ordered compensation for that great man. But the day the king`s gift came to gate of city, dead body of poet was going out. FERDOSI had one daughter who did not accept the present.
SHAHNAME is most important document of Persian language. And the most obvious manifestation of the glory and prosperity of ancient culture.
HAKIM was away from satire, lies and flattery. His patriotism was sensational, therefore loved old stories and tradition. And hated TURANS, ROMANS and ARABS, because of injuries brought on Iran.

ART FEATURES:

SHAHNAME is the true custodian of national tradition and identity of the Iranian people. If this book was not there, many of the positive elements of our ancestral culture could have been destroyed in a storm of historical events. Poet is faithful servant of the household of prophet and his successor and admires them.
If you feel bad, it is my sin
Such is the way of my religion
I born in this faith and will be continued
I am dust under the feet of HEYDAR
HAKIM, with his great epic, mixed both the Iranian and Islamic culture to the best. SHAHNAMEH has about sixty thousand bits and consisted of three mythological, heroic and historic sections. Epic story of good and evil battle of the heroes. Views and opinions of FERDOSI are against injustice and corruption and always gives good backup. Iran is land of freedom and neighbors always harass her. Beauty of Iran also brings suffering and difficulties for her. So champions rise up and defend the country and give their lives in this regard.
Most of stories, will remind to the reader that this world is immortal. And advises him to learn. However in expression of love. HAKIM is magnificent and unique.

Illustration:

Illustration of the poet is a special place. With portrayal of events and adventure stories, in front of the reader, takes him to the events. Visualization and imagination of FERDOSI is sturdy.
In following bits he describes sunshine:
Like the sun wheel swivel head
Removed the golden sun shield
Appeared the bright dagger
Ruby was the behavior of the soil
When took the golden sun shield
Warriors head arose from sleep

Music:

Music is the main element. Poet used appropriate prosodic weight and tight rhymes. Master elaborate, metaphorical sense, show moments of nature and life are features of the poems.
Arose from both army horns
Air became blue, ebony ground
Like radiant power out of the dark
Fire kindled the mace and sword
The air was red, black and purple
Because of spears and many flags
From sound of warriors and black powders
From bass drum and battle horses
Ripped down the mountain and ground
No one saw such fight

SOURCE OF STORIES:

The first version of SHAHNAME was in prose, which was released as an independent work. And because ABOU MANSOUR paid all the expense, so was called as ABOUMANSOURI SHAHNAME. But unfortunately this book is disappeared and only 15 pages of introduction is remained. In fourth century another poet by name DAGHIGHI started the Iranian national stories in poem. He wrote over a thousand bits and was killed in 977 C.E. and then FERDOSI followed his unfinished work. Hence we can assume DAGHIGHI`s SHAHNAME was the source of HAKIM`s work.

MAIN PARTS:

This eternal masterpiece contains Iranian old history, from beginning of Iranian civilization to downfall of SASANIAN era by ARABS, which is divided in to three mythological, heroic and historical periods.

MYTHOLOGICAL PERIOD:

This period starts from KIYOUMARS era till appearance of FERAIDON. Iranian civilization arose at this time. Fire detection, iron separation from stone, spin, weave and agriculture were done in this time. In this era, most of the battles are civil wars. At the end of era, ZAHAK, a symbol of evil sits in the government, but finally, after thousands of years, FERAIDON with the support of KAVE and people kills him and new era starts.

HEROIC PERIOD:

This period starts with kingdom of FERAIDON. The war between Iran and TURAN begins. Zoroaster prophet appears. And by death of ROSTAM, heroic period ends.

HISTORICAL PERIOD:

This period begins with the appearance of BAHMAN. At this time, Alexander the Macedonian attacks Iran and after killing DARIUS III, sits on his throne. After Alexander, ASHKANIAN and SASANIAN become rulers. When ARABS defeats Persians, epic ends.
Since FERDOSI was buried, his tomb was destroyed many times. In 1884, governor of KHORASAN made a brick building over the shrine. After the gradual destruction of the building, the National Heritage Association collected fees from people and made a new building in 1934. منبع مقاله :
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