Saeed Nafisi, one of the remarkable characters in the literary field (Part 2)
Though Nafisi was full time busy in studying the history and literature of Iran, he also had a criticizing view over the social developments of his time. His book “Midway to Heavan” (1331) was in fact a political revealing of the lives of the aristocrats and political class of those days. By giving nicknames (which can be made out with a little attention) he showed the hidden faces of many men of his time and criticized their policies. In this way, he became the initiator of social criticism, in his period.
The variety of subjects that Nafisi would write about turned him into a skilled and knowledgeable writer. He also paid attention to world literature and translated books like Elyad, Odysse, stories of Balzaque, Gorgi and Tolstoy.
Nafisi also did research in the dynasties and famous historic personalities. The books that he wrote in this field are quite a few and still have kept their scientific value for their historic and literary research. Sheikh Zahed Gilani (1307), Life and poems of Roodaki (1319), The Life and Poems of Hafez (1321), Majdeddin Hamgar Shirazi (1314), the family of Saadeddin Hamouyeh (1314) and the Babooyeh Ghomi Family (1327) are among his historic and literary research works.
Nafisi, who was suffering from asthma spent his last years in Paris, because he believed that in the humid climate he could breathe easier. He bought a small house there and made to and fro trips. The last time he traveled to Iran was to participate in the first congress on Iranology. It was his destiny to die in his country and be buried next to his father.
The death of this great master happened on 24 Aban 1354 (1975) due to asthma and heavy flu. He gave his whole life to science and the knowledge of Iran’s culture and history.
Iraj Afshar writes: “The death of this man brought deep grief to his friends and whoever had value for science and knowledge. The literary society of Iran realized that one of its strongest pillars broke. His death was a great blow, following a fruitful and brilliant life.”
The articles and books of Saeed Nafisi are more than 100 in number. He also left behind notes and articles that were not published. His other books that should be named here are ‘The Army School in Baghdad’ (1303), THE French/Farsi dictionary (1310), the contemporary social and political history of Iran (1335), Nafisi dictionary (1339) and ‘The Social History of Iran after the Fall of Sassanian dynasty upto the fall of Amouyan Dynasty (1342).
Source: amordaden.blogfa.com
Other links:
Nima Yushij (The Father of Modern Persian Poetry)
Shahryar, an emotional poet
Parvin Etesami (Memoir)
Mehdi Akhavan Sales
Sohrab Sepehri
