Week Five Blog – Shi’i Garden and Ta’ziyeh Theatre
Ta’ziyah Theatre Park – Shi’i GardenWhen reading the fascinating articles edited by Peter J. Chelkowski, Ta’ziyeh Ritual and Drama In Iran and also reading The Miracle Play of Hasan and Husain I was deeply inspired by the unique and unusual religious passion play . I wanted to create a beautiful environment for the Ta’ziyeh Ritual to be seen by a large audience in a big city. Gardens in Muslim countries are viewed as a vision of paradise so I thought that I would create a large garden that would have a performance area. I wanted to use Shi’i imagery and symbols for the garden to reflect the early background of the Ta’ziyeh plays and the Shi’i interpretation of Islam.
Professor Asani showed a diagram in class of five small circles surrounding a larger circle that I thought would be useful for the water features in the garden. The circles represent the importance of the family of Muhammad. Muhammad is at the top, with Ali and Fatima below, and Hasan and Husain below them. The middle circle represents Allah. These circles would become water fountains surrounded by flower beds. All of the fountains would be fed from the same source of water , a well that sources the “The Allah Fountain”, and this would symbolize the continuous connection with God. The “Allah Fountain” is surrounded by a large pool and has a 100 foot spray going in five directions towards the other fountains. It would be surrounded by green boxwoods with white roses surrounding the boxwoods. Professor Asani mentioned that white roses were associated with Muhammad, so for the “Muhammad Fountain” I have a 50 foot water spray surrounded by white roses and edged with green boxwoods. In our reading it was noted that the family of Muhammad were often clothed in green in the Ta’ziyeh plays. The other four fountains for Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husain each have 15 foot water sprays and are surrounded by green boxwoods with a boarder of white roses – to emphasize their connection with Muhammad.
All of the water fountains and irrigation are fueled by solar powered palm trees with the solar panels shaped like large palm leaves. These solar trees also provide light for the performance and in the evening provide park lighting. The entire park would be grass, surrounded by date palm trees. Orange trees, with their beautiful scent, would flank the park entrance and a Cypress alley lines the entrance to the park. At the entrance their are restrooms, a water fountain, and the Ta’ziyeh dressing room. The large open grassy stage area can also be used as a children’s play area and picnic area when not in use for performances. Unique Buraq shaped seating benches surround the open stage area.
I hoped to create a garden that had unique symbols that would be understood by Shi’i Muslims and that could also be environmentally sound. I also wanted to create a beautiful gathering place for children and adults that would also preserve the tradition of the Ta’ziyeh performances.Ta’ziyah Theatre Park – Shi’i Garden