‘Attâr’s Canticle of the Birds
Illustrated Through Persian and Eastern Islamic Art
A masterpiece of Persian literature written in the 12th century, The Canticle of the Birds is the poetic expression of a universal initiatory quest, that for Love, Truth and Unity. The journey of the birds beyond the seven valleys to meet Simorgh, the legendary bird and allegory of the Supreme Being, symbolises the voyage of every human soul. More than 200 Persian, Turkish, Afghan and Indo-Pakistani works, chosen from the most beautiful manuscripts of the 14th to the 17th centuries – from the banks of the Bosporus to those of the Ganges – complement the poem.
The choice of works benefited from the inestimable contribution of Michael Barry, art historian, professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and eminent specialist in the civilisations of the East. He has written over 200 commentaries on the works, presented facing each painting, that provide the reader with keys to understanding and interpretation.
The translation by Dick Davis and Afkham Darbandi, published by Penguin Classics in 1984, was the first verse translation in English of ‘Attâr’s work. It limpidly renders the poet’s thought, as well as the beauty and musicality of his language. For this edition, Dick Davis has translated the prologue and epilogue, and has also reworked several passages.
Launch at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, on December 3rd, 2014
