بعد از وفات تربت ما در زمین مجوی
در سینه های مردم دانا مزار ماست
I wanted to write about my father Nosratollah Amini on the second anniversary of his death (April 20th) and how profound an effect his death has had on me. I said to myself, maybe I should just stay silent and let someone else who knew him speak this time. Dr. Yarshater was kind enough to do so. These two men were friends until each went his separate way. Yet those kinds of friendships, built on mutual respect, always remain alive. When I called Dr. Yarshater to attend a memorial we organized while my father was still alive, he accepted my invitation without hesitation, and took a train from NYC to Washington to be present. My father was so elated to see him.
I am compiling a “yadnameh” about my father, in hopes of keeping his memory alive. He left his mark on me and to this day, I see his impact in my interaction with people. Sometimes during Ayd, I would ask him for a new poem and he would recite one for me, without having to think about it. I don’t have the privilege to do that anymore but I have concluded that the best way to honor him is to go back to Persian poetry. Among the many books I have in my possession is a Divan-e- Khajeh Hafiz Shirazi, published in Tehran, in 1320/1941 in an old leather cover. I will cherish it and remember him every time I turn the pages.
***
The late Mr. Nosratollah Amini was one of the distinguished personalities of Dr. Mosaddeq era. He served from 1951-1953 as the Mayor of Tehran, appointed by Dr. Mosaddeq as one of the people he trusted their integrity and capability.
I became acquainted with Mr. Amini through a common friend, Dr. Mahmoud Sana’i, Professor of psychology at the University of Tehran. Sana’i was from Arak, the same city that Amini came from, and they were close friends. He introduced me to Amini and I became fascinated by his personality. He had a keen sense of humor, but what initially attracted me most was the amount of poetry that he could recite from memory and the effective way he recited them. Acquaintance led to friendship and to a deep admiration of his many qualities.
His speech had a slight and pleasant trace of Araki accent. Even though our meetings were mostly spent in enjoyment of Persian poetry, there was also a serious side to Amini’s life and thinking. He loved Iran profoundly and cared about its fate. His patriotism and his dislike of communism attracted him to Dr. Mosaddeq. His devotion to Dr. Mosaddeq’s way of thinking soon made Amini a confident and helper of his. When Dr. Mosaddeq fell, Amini remained a staunch supporter of him and showed a fidelity that continued to the end of his life.
In 1961 I left Iran to reside in New York. For a number of years I did not have adequate news of him. I heard that he had been appointed at the beginning of the Revolution the Governor of Fars, but he had resigned after a month. In 1979 he left Iran and took residence in the US in Virginia. Many years later when I eventually saw him in a gathering, life had taken its toll and he was on a wheelchair, but his liveliness and presence of mind had not suffered. It was a pleasure to see him with his pleasant smile, brightening his face.
I visited him in his residence and we talked about good old days. I was glad to see that Mrs. Amini and his kindly daughter, Fariba, were taking good care of him. But nature does not make any exceptions. A day came when I heard the sad news of his passing. I attended his memorial as did many of his old friends. I am glad that his children keep his memory alive.
Ehsan Yarshater,
New York,
April 6, 2011
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Lovely tribute
by Shepesh on Thu Apr 21, 2011 06:07 PM PDTYour father woud be proud of you. Great comments too, very enjoyable read.
my piece
by Fariba Amini on Wed Apr 20, 2011 06:16 PM PDT//www.roozonline.com/persian/opinion/opinion-...
Here's one by Malk-Ol-Shoara
by aynak on Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:05 PM PDTچکیده ای از مثنوی ملک الشعرا در فراق یار از دست رفته ایرج میرزا- و او (هر کس) که در کنار ما نیست ولی همیشه دوستش داریم.
............
چون کند قافله کوچ از صحرا-مینهد آتشی از خویش به جا
بار بستی تو ز سرمنزل من - آتشت ماند ولی در دل من
چون کبوتربچهٔ پروازی - برگشودی پر و کردی بازی
اوج بگرفتی و بال افشاندی - ناگهان رفتی و بالا ماندی
دفتر از هجر تو بیشیرازه است -وز غمت داغ مرکب تازه است
اندر آهنگ دگر پویه نماند - بر لب تار بجز مویه نماند
The Rudaki poem is very nice. Hope I can remember it!
by Esfand Aashena on Tue Apr 19, 2011 07:58 AM PDTEverything is sacred
ووقتی دیوان
Fariba AminiTue Apr 19, 2011 07:51 AM PDT
Thank you all
by Fariba Amini on Tue Apr 19, 2011 07:42 AM PDTThanks for all your warm thoughts.
Here is poem by Rudaki that my father wrote and gave me after a friend had died:
ای آنکه غمگینی و سزاواری
وندرنهان سرشک همی باری
رفت آنچه رفت آمد انچه آمد
بود آنچه بود خیره چه غم داری
Remembrance
by sseyedian on Mon Apr 18, 2011 07:14 PM PDTNot only his track records makes us proud of having him among us, his childeren are the jewels that give gliter to our society too. I Love you all.
Very proud of such Hamshahry
by Bavafa on Mon Apr 18, 2011 09:49 AM PDTMay he rest in peace, indeed ought to be proud of such person as a father and no doubt he must have been proud of his daughter.
I believe my father knows of your family and Mr. Sanai, I am familiar with the names just not sure in the context of friendship, colleague or just as hamshahri and I intend to ask him when I see him next.
Here is another hamshahri to be proud of, Aghye Baad-kobiee
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzWIK8DjcMg&feature=related
Mehrdad
Ur right passing of some loved ones leave us w/a profound impact
by Esfand Aashena on Mon Apr 18, 2011 06:53 AM PDTEverything is sacred
You are a good kid Fariba
by aynak on Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:18 AM PDTAny father would be very happy and proud to have a daughter like you who never forgets his memory. From what I have learned of your father, he must have been a great individual. Please do share a poem or two, and it does not have to be from memory.
May we all have good dreams.