Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

The Evolution of Self-Praise Poetry (Mofākharah) from the "Return" Style to the Constitutional Era and its Reflection in Qajar Pictorial Battle Scenes and Heroism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Javad Golara 1
Hossein Hajizadeh 2
Ayoob Kooshan 3
Zhila Serati 4
1 PhD Student in Persian Language and Literature, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
2 Department of Persian Language and Literature, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
3 Department of Persian Language and Literature, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
4 Department of Persian Language and Literature, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2021.292648.1649
Abstract
Mofākharah (self-praise poetry) is a genre of Persian verse that Iranian poets adopted from Arabic poetry. Throughout centuries of Persian literature, the divans of most poets across all literary styles have featured this genre. Each poet, influenced by their societal context, employed mofākharah to achieve specific aims. Guided by poetic taste and talent, poets used it to express emotions, showcasing their abilities, superiorities, and internalized values to their audience. This descriptive-analytical study investigates how mofākharah evolved as it transitioned from the "Return" style to the Constitutional era. Findings reveal that mofākharah manifests diversely in poets of both periods: while poets of both eras pride themselves on their verbal artistry and claim supremacy in versification, love-themed self-praise is distinctive to the Return period, whereas patriotic self-praise belongs to the Constitutional era. These themes are traceable in illustrated Qajar manuscripts depicting warfare and heroics.
Research Objectives
1.     Examining mofākharah in the Return style and Constitutional era, and its reflection in illustrated Qajar battle and heroism scenes.
2.     Comparing mofākharah across these periods and its representation in Qajar pictorial narratives of combat and valor.
Research Questions
1.     How did mofākharah manifest in the Return style versus the Constitutional era?
2.     How is mofākharah reflected in illustrated Qajar battle and heroism scenes?
Keywords
Poetry
Mofākharah (self-praise)
Boasting
Return Style
Constitutional Era
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