On the evening of Saturday 21st February 2004, the Brunei Gallery of the School of Oriental and African Studies hosted the first public screening of 'Charkh-O-Falak'. The documentary was produced and directed by Mehdi Jami, an Iranian journalist and London resident.

The event was arranged by the Artists Without Frontiers organization in association with the London based Vararoud charitable trust. Many eminent artists were present including Ms Jaleh Isfasahni, an Iranian poet with a large following in Tajikistan, along with numerous musicologists, filmmakers, students and lecturers.

'Charkh-O-Falak' or 'Meeting Dawlatmand Kholov and the Whirling Tajik Dancers' - as it is known in English - focuses upon the legendary 'Falak' singer Dawlatmand Kholov. Through a series of interviews the audience is guided upon an adventure into the exotic and mystic world of 'Falak' music, its origins in the South of Tajikistan and the legendary singers' work and life.

Shahzoda Nazarova, a writer and journalist from Samarquand, recalls the journeys she took on her first visit to Tajikistan since its independence, meeting and travelling with Dawlatmand. The filming of the documentary coincides with a number of festivals during the Independence Day of the country, and travels the roads of Southern Tajikistan, to Daghestan the village birthplace of Dawlatmand.

A whole host of important Tajik cultural figures accompany the pair on their journey; the pretty dancing girls of Tajikistan, members of Dawlatmand's family, the singer - Afzahlo Shadi, the late Gorminj Zawghibek, the musicologist - Asluddin Nizamov, the composer - Lola Tales and the Conductor of the Dusahnbe Symphony Orchestra - Talib Shahidi.

Colour and Dance as Tajik Traditions

The evening began with an introduction by James Buchan, a British writer with a great fondness of Iran and its language. Mr Buchan emphasized the significance of the integration of dancing in the religion of Islam in Tajikistan.

The epic film held the attention of the audience throughout, the Brunei Gallery remaining packed for its entirety. The film featured many whirling dances and songs based upon the poetry of Rumi.

Shadad Vajdi, the distinguished poet and journalist found the film fascinating and the marvellous images, music and songs had transfixed her attention throughout. Ms Vadji felt that Charkh-O-Falak instilled a much greater sense of warmth and fervour than many other documentaries she had viewed.

Furthermore, Ms Vadji was overwhelmed, amazed and greatly attracted by the colours and dances of the Tajik. There was an immense feeling of glee that the Tajiks had been able to preserve these beautiful dances, colours and delightful traditions of life. Lament was expressed however as to how these same traditions are not encouraged in similar villages in Iran, where these elements of life are perishing.

Mah Safar Tabari, a Tajik lady who lives in the United Kingdom, used the film as a great opportunity to introduce Tajik culture and art to her daughter Firuza who was brought up in the United Kingdom, and was not familiar with Tajik traditions. Ms Tabari added that Charkh-O-Falak took her back to Tajikistan and found that many old memories were revived by its images and songs.

Mansura, a young Iranian painter described Charkh-O-Falak as opening a door for her to the jovial and happy culture of Tajiks. Great happiness was expressed in that she was able to come across a people with an Islamic culture who were so happy and lively. Mansura was of the opinion that the predominant culture of the Iranian people had been like this in the past. Through the course of time however, religious doctrines and Iranian lifestyle had marginalized this culture of happiness and joyfulness, which is so intertwined with colours and dance.

The Afghan intellectual and London resident Karim Mushtaq was moved by Charkh-O-Falak because of its close association with poetry, music, nature and mysticism.

In Aid of the Malika Sabirova Music School

Admission to the event was complimentary, however many Iranian and Tajiki CD 's were available for sale. The funds raised through the evening would be part of a donation made on behalf of the AWF organization to the Malika Sabirova Music School in Dushanbe.

Please review this video footage which shows only a small part of the problems that Malika Sabirova School is facing. Malika children struggle with severe weather conditions, lack of proper musical instruments, poverty and poor living conditions everyday!

You can make a difference in their lives by donating cash contributions to AWF Malika Sabirova School Special Fund or donate musical instruments in good using conditions to the Children of Malika.