A Meditation on Rumi and the Power of Poetry | Leili Anvar | TED
The Power of Language and Poetry in Exile
The Journey of Leaving Iran
- The speaker reflects on leaving Iran at the age of 15, taking only a suitcase and books, but realizing they carried an invaluable treasure: the Persian language.
- Persian is described as a millennium-old language that embodies poetry, representing the speaker's childhood paradise filled with tales and nursery rhymes.
- The experience of exile led to a profound realization about loss—not just of country or home, but also the connection to one's mother tongue.
Connection to Persian Poetry
- The speaker emphasizes that their identity as Iranian is tied to the Persian language and specifically its poetry, which became a source of solace during exile.
- A poetic journey began through memorizing poems to carry a sense of home wherever they went. This journey continues to this day.
Influence of Rumi
- Rumi, the 13th-century Persian mystic poet, serves as a guiding figure for the speaker. His work is likened to the song of a reed flute expressing separation and longing.
- Rumi’s verses resonate deeply with themes of love-desire and returning to one’s origins after being severed from them.
Memories from War-Torn Tehran
- The speaker recalls attending poetry gatherings during the Iran-Iraq war in 1982, where despite not fully understanding all poetry, Rumi's lines opened up new worlds for them.
- These gatherings fostered a lifelong companionship with Rumi's poetry amidst exile.
Transformation Through Poetry
- Engaging deeply with Rumi's works led the speaker to write their PhD thesis and translate many poems. They affirm that Rumi's work is vast and transformative.
- Rumi’s prologue invites listeners into shared experiences of exile while emphasizing that his song resonates universally among exiles.
Universal Themes in Rumi’s Work
- The essence of Rumi’s poetry conveys music that whispers forgotten stories; he himself experienced displacement due to historical conflicts.
- Despite his own exile, he maintained his cultural roots by teaching his children Persian poetry after fleeing Afghanistan.
Love as Central Theme
- Through his lyrical expressions, Rumi illustrates personal transformation—moving from despair (death metaphorically) into joy through love.
- He highlights universal human experiences—exile being part of life—and encourages spiritual awareness through beauty in words.
Role of Poetry in Human Experience
- The speaker asserts that everyone experiences some form of exile; thus, understanding our humanity requires embracing love centrality found in poetry.