‏Shayda

Biography

Shayda, ‘Ali Akbar (Taliqan 1843-Tehran 1906), musician, calligrapher, poet, and lyricist with the nom de plume Shayda (enraptured). Following his association with the Sufi circles, he chose the appellation Masrur ‘Ali, but despite the patronage of the governor of Shiraz he departed and became a disciple of Safa ‘Ali Shah Zahir al-Dawla and led the reclusive life of a Sufi at the Safi ‘Ali Shah Khanigha. He composed some of the most famous musical pieces in the last century. His lyrics and love poetry abide in the memories of Iranians, thanks to the Radio Iran programs, from the 1940s onwards. Despite the state bans imposed on Shayda’s lyrics performed by female vocalists, such profound impression survives. Notwithstanding Shayda’s popularity, no independent study has been undertaken on his life and works and the scanty information on him is restricted to a few quotes from ‘Arif and Ruh Allah Khaliqi. He allegedly hailed from Shiraz or Isfahan, but he died in Tehran as a Sufi of the Ni’matullahi Order. His presence in the public sphere is solely traceable by his association with the Ukhuwwat Society and a tasnif, entitled ‘The Prophet’s Birth’ which was sung at the sessions held by the society. His influence on Arif Qazwini is reflected in the latter’s style of composing tasnifs and also those composed by other lyricists in the constitutional period.