Of all the Persian poets, Mevlana Jalal-e-Din Mohammad Mevlavi Balkhi Rumi (1207-1273) is the most popular and widely read in North America. Born in the Persian Empire city of Balkh (now in Afghanistan), Rumi's family fled the invading Mongol hordes and emigrated to the city of Konya, in what is now Turkey. Rumi became a scholar and theologian, spending his days teaching or studying the great mystics such as Attar.
Around the year 1244, a wandering Sufi dervish known as Shams Tabrizi came to the city. For several years afterwards, he and Rumi would spend a great deal of time together. Eventually, Shams left Konya and never returned, though the exact circumstances are unclear (some say Rumi's disciples, angered by the loss of their teacher to the dervish's company, murdered Shams, while others say Rumi's son murdered Shams out of jealousy). In Rumi's own words, after meeting Shams he was transformed from a bookish, sober scholar to an impassioned seeker of the truth and love.
After Shams' death, Rumi fell into a deep state of grief, which led him to compose some 70,000 verses of poetry. These thousands of poems were collected in two epic books: the Divan of Shams-e Tabrizi and the Masnavi (Mathnawi) & Mahnavi.
The relationship between the two has also been the inspiration for much Persian music and art. His poems have been set to music and are widely performed throughout the world. In addition, calligraphers such as Farahani and painters such as Farshchian have created great works of art in their own rights.
Rumi. Ausgewahtle Geschichten aus dem Masnawi und Ghaselen aus dem Diwan Schams Tabrisi. Poetry, 162 pages, col. ill., 24 cm. Rumi's Masnavi in the original Persian text with full German translation, including additional selections from the Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. It also includes some excellent miniature illustrations. Published by Yassavoli in 2001 (now out of print). Hardcover with dust jacket.
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