Old Hail

Zarb e Zurkhaneh & Vocals : Morshed Mehregan

 Zurkhane or the Iranian traditional Gymnasium is the place for cultivation both physically and spiritually. Its inlet is always built as a short entrance door in such a way that any person entering zurkhane should bow his head as a sign of modesty. The uniform clothing of sportsmen includes a long (a waist-wrapper), or an old-fashioned pair of trousers, that should be worn before entrance to gowd or exercise pit. The poor and the rich are regarded as the same when they enter it, and a bond of fraternity is developed amongst all of them Only the longer experience or a more brilliant career record is regarded as a privilege. Gowd (literally, "pit") is octagonal and always deeper than the ground proper of gymnasium. Again it signifies the importance of modesty on part of exercisers. The instruments used in these traditional gymnasiums are all remnants and symbols of warface once used in old battle-fields. For instance, mil is the same as mace, kabbade is bow and arrow, sang is shield, and takhte-ye shena is the sword. The act of whirling reminds one of a fighter who tries to break through the lines of his enemies. Zang, played by morshed ("master") is the symbol of helmet. Morshed sits above all to conduct the movements of men while playing on his large frame-drum called zarb, occasionally knocking the zang.
While entering or exiting gowd, sportsmen touch the ground and kiss the finger as a sign of deep respect they hold for the place. The novices face morshed and the experienced ones turn back to him, since they do not need to be conducted directly and are quite familiar with its order and customs. Morshed begins to play his zarb to excite the people in gowd while reciting verses of old morality and pieces of advice to promote high ethical standards among sportsmen. The sportsman at the center is called miandar who is followed and imitated by others standing at the periphery. Morshed only has to accommodate the rhythms he plays with the movements of miandar. At the turn of each movement the bell is rung by morshed, but sometimes it also draws the attentions of spectators to an old and experienced exerciser or to high scores won by a gymnast. The bell ringing and hailing the Prophet Mohammad are frequently heard in occasions when the people whirl, or come in to and out of gowd and many other occasions as well.

Published [03/08/2006]