Dowlatabadi Writing About 3 Legendary Heroes in Shahnameh

TEHRAN.(Iranart) – Celebrated author Mahmoud Dowlatabadi, who unveiled his novel “Thirst” at the 31st Tehran International Book Fair (May 2-12), is working on a trilogy (in Persian) on the life and tragic fate of three young characters from Shahnameh (book of kings), epic poems of renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi (940-1020).

Shahnameh, composed of 60,000 verses, weaves mythical and historical information associated with fifty Persian kings from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. For over 1,000 years, it has remained one of the most popular works in the Persian-speaking world.

In the trilogy, for which Dowlatabadi has picked the title “Bornayan-e Javdan” (everlasting youth) he is to give a detailed account of the life of the three characters: Siavash and Esfandiar, as well as Sohrab who is the son of the leading hero of Shahnameh, Rostam, in prose, ISNA reported on its Persian website. 

By recounting the stories of the young characters, Dowlatabadi concentrates on the youth in general and how they have fallen victim to the greed, pride and ambitions of their elders, particularly their fathers. What the three have in common is their innocence, honesty and the trust they mistakenly put in others. 

Dowlatabadi is now in talks with a publisher (name not yet known) to release the first volume of the trilogy that covers the story of Sohrab. The second and third volume will cover stories of Siavash and Esfandiar.

source: FINANCIAL TRIBUNE