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The poetry of the Persian mystic, considered the first Whirling Dervish, is still popular 800 years after his death. Mark Tully considers the reasons for his enduring appeal.

Jalal ad-Din Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, theologian and Sufi mystic, whose influence as a writer extended throughout central and southern Asia. Eight hundred years later it extends worldwide. He has been described as the most popular poet in the United States and he is still revered by many in the East.

Mark Tully assesses his contemporary popularity with Coleman Barks, one of Rumi’s pre-eminent American translators and asks why Rumi resonates with so many people of so many nationalities and faiths.

In a programme featuring music from all over the world and readings of some Rumi’s great passionate masterpieces, he presents a portrait of the founder of the Mevlevi Order – also known as the Whirling Dervishes.

The readers are Paapa Essiedu and Emma Pallant.

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling

A Unique production for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 May 2021 23:30

Music Played

  • Kudsi Erguner

    Pesrev

    • Unesco.
  • Ben Johnston

    Quietness

    • New World Records.
  • Leonard Cohen

    Anthem

    • Columbia.
  • Saffron

    Trembling

    • Palmetto Records.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven & Hungarian Radio and Television Chorus

    The Ruins of Athens, IV. "Du hast in deines Ärmels Falten" (feat. Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra)

Readings

Title: The Song Of The ReedÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 

Author: Rumi, tr. Alan Williams 

Published by PenguinÌýÌý 

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Title: I Am Wind You Are FireÌýÌý ÌýÌý

Author: Rumi, tr. Anne Marie SchimmelÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Published by Shambhala PublicationsÌýÌýÌýÌý

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Title: Fihi Ma Fihi (it is what it is)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 

Author: Rumi, tr. Anne Marie SchimmelÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Published by ShambhalaÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Title: The Ecstatic Poet TraditionÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 

Author: D.J. MooresÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Published by McFarland Books Ltd.        ÌýÌý

Broadcasts

  • Sun 13 Nov 2016 06:05
  • Sun 13 Nov 2016 23:30
  • Sun 30 May 2021 06:05
  • Sun 30 May 2021 23:30