Draft:Karim Molaverdikhani

Karim Molaverdikhani (born 26 July 1950) is an Iranian poet. , teacher and calligrapher. He is one of the pioneering poets of She'r-e Nimaa'i.

Molaverdikhani was born on 26 July 1950 in the "Naft-Anbar Khabbaz" neighborhood of Rasht. He holds a bachelor's degree in Persian language and literature and was a student of prominent figures such as Mohammad-Reza Shafiei Kadkani and Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub

Works
He has written several collections of poetry in both Persian and Gilaki. His notable works include:


 * Vagardan (A collection of Gilaki poems)
 * From Sea to Desert and from Desert to Sea (A collection of Persian poems)
 * Surkh-Gol (A collection of Gilaki poems)
 * The Gilan Encyclopedia (Four out of five volumes have been published)

He has also written extensively on the lives and works of calligraphers from Gilan, including critical studies of Gilaki poetry, proverbs, and folktales. His works reflect a deep engagement with the culture and traditions of Gilan.

Vagardan, Collection of Gilaki Poems


Molaverdikhani's collection of Gilaki poems, Vagardan (واگردان), although published in 2000 with a circulation of 1,000 copies, contains poems that date back to different periods of his life. The collection features 50 poems in various forms, including ghazal, qasida, rubaiyat, and free verse, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to his native language and culture.

The poems are organized chronologically by their date of composition, providing a sense of the poet's evolving perspective and experiences. The collection is noted for its humor, wit, and social commentary, as well as its use of proverbs and idioms to convey deeper meanings.

In this collection, Molaverdikhani uses a range of poetic forms to express his love for the language, customs, and traditions of Gilan. He combines humor, satire, and social issues in his poems, often employing proverbs and idioms to provide a fresh perspective.

One of the notable poems is "Zard-e Sag Shaleh Barareh" (زرده سگ شاله براره) which translates to "The Yellow Dog is the Jackal's Brother" in Persian. He only adds one more line, "Raise the stone high" (مشته سنگ را بالا بگیر). This minimalistic approach conveys a broad and yet simple message, showing his skill in using concise language to deliver powerful messages.

Archaeology of Gilaki Vocabulary


Molaverdikhani's book Archaeology of Gilaki Vocabulary (باستان‌شناسی واژه‌های گیلان) explores the origins and meanings of traditional Gilaki words, particularly those from Eastern Gilan and Western Mazandaran. This work, a result of over fifty years of research, delves into the linguistic heritage of the region, tracing words back to their ancient roots.

The book serves as an introduction to his larger project, the "Gilan Encyclopedia" (دانش‌نامه گیلان), which he has been compiling since 1964. This work aims to document the linguistic and cultural history of Gilan through extensive field research and scholarly analysis.

In the preface, he writes: "... but why did I come to compile the book 'Archaeology of Gilaki Vocabulary'? Among the vast notes I have, which number in the tens of thousands, I saw Aryan words, from before the Avesta era, that is, the Vedic period, and words from Sanskrit, almost again before the Avesta era, but not from 'Mazdisna' words, but from 'Ahrimanian' words, meaning a period when Aryans or groups of them were still following their ancient beliefs."

This book is the first work to be published in Iran under the title "Archaeology of Words." Molaverdikhani considers this book as a preface and preliminary publication to the "Gilan Encyclopedia," which he has been gathering for about forty years. He states that since 1964 he has been collecting, recording, and explaining grammatical points and etymologies of Gilaki words.

Molaverdikhani's methodology for compiling the "Gilan Encyclopedia" includes both "written" and "oral" forms. In the oral form, all notes are from the people's language, recorded exactly as he heard them with the same pronunciation and explanation. In the written form, he has used writings from researchers, writers, and linguists, providing sources and references.

Four volumes of the Gilan Encyclopedia have been published so far, and more information can be found on Gisoom.

Sample Poems
Molaverdikhani has many poems in the "Hesa Poetry" (هسا شعر) form, including "Sineh Surkheh" and "Gilan Jan".

Calligraphy
Molaverdikhani began studying calligraphy in 1964 under the guidance of his teacher Mohammad (Farid) Malek Motei. He furthered his skills with masters such as Mohammad Ali Amir Mirrazi Roudsari and Gholamhossein Amirkhani. His expertise spans various styles, including Nasta'liq, Shekasteh Nasta'liq, Thuluth, and Naskh.

Music Based on His Work
In 2023, the song "Sine Sorkh" (سینه سرخ), based on the poetry of Karim Molaverdikhani, was released by Haraymusic on SoundCloud. The lyrics were penned by Molaverdikhani himself, reflecting themes of societal turmoil and personal struggle through metaphorical language. The musical composition was by Haray, featuring guest musicians including Vafa Masbahi on Ney, Mohammad Alizadeh on Bass, and Aidin Shafaei on Percussion. The song was mixed and mastered by Mostafa Talebian, with graphic art by Sina Ayoubi.

The lyrics of "Sine Sorkh" speak of a Robin Redbreast (symbolizing homeland or personal identity) infested with a snake (symbolizing internal or external threats), urging action to confront and overcome these challenges.

The song garnered significant attention on SoundCloud and receiving positive feedback for its lyrical depth and musical arrangement.