Mohammad-Ali Bahmani

Mohamad Ali Bahmani (Persian: محمدعلی بهمنی; January 17, 1942 – August 31, 2024) was an Iranian poet and lyricist, widely recognized for his mastery of the Ghazal form.

Bahmani's poetry is known for its emotional depth and clear, fluent language. His verses often explore themes such as longing, separation, love, and hope, using elegant metaphors and imagery to convey these feelings. He composed extensively in She'r-e Nimaa'i, a modern form of Iranian poetry, as well as in other classical forms. In addition to his literary work, Bahmani contributed extensively to Iranian songwriting. His lyrics and poems have been performed frequently by artists such as Naser Abdollahi and Ramin Hosseinpour, who are among the most prolific interpreters of his work.

Life

Bahmani once described his birth as follows:

Two months before I was born, my brother fell ill in Dezful. My family took this opportunity to visit him, and I was born on the train during that trip. My birth certificate lists Dezful as my birthplace because my uncle worked at the local civil registry and registered me immediately. However, I did not spend much time, there only about 10 days to a month. My father was originally from Deh Vanak, and my mother from Evin. Our family was mainly based in Bandar Abbas. I spent my childhood in various places such as Tehran, Shemiran, Shahr-e Rey, and Karaj, because my father worked for the railway and had station assignments in different locations. In 1974, I moved to Bandar Abbas.

Years of activity

Bahmani first met Fereydoon Moshiri at the printing house of the magazine Roshanfekr, where Moshiri was in charge of the poetry and literature section called "Haft-tar Chang". His first poem was published in the inaugural issue of Roshanfekr in 1953, when he was only 11 years old.

From 1963, Bahmani began collaborating with Radio Tehran on the program Golha. During this period, he wrote songs such as "Ghesse-ye Del" performed by Emad Ram, "Havaye Ghafas" performed by Homeyra, "Chador Namaz" performed by Ramesh, and "Zendegi" performed by Iraj.

Between 1963 and 1977, while living in Bandar Abbas, he published four poetry collections: "Bagh-e Lal", "Dar Bi-Vazni", "Aamiyaneha", and "Gisoo, Kolah, Kafor".

After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Bahmani moved back to Tehran, returning to Bandar Abbas in 1984. He managed the "Donyaye Chap" printing house and directed the "Chichi-ka" publishing house (meaning "story" in the Bandar Abbas dialect).

He also hosted the program "Safhe-ye She’r" on the local Persian Gulf Provincial Network. In 1995, he began contributing to the weekly newspaper Neda-ye Hormozgan, publishing a weekly column titled "Breathing in the Air of Poetry" for his audience of poetry enthusiasts.

Poetry

Love was one of the main themes in Bahmani's ghazals. Many critics believe that his ghazals were influenced by the style of Nima Youshij. As Bahmani himself once said: "The ghazal, not only in today's poetry but undoubtedly in all the poetry of tomorrow, will have a special place. The ghazal is an Iranian existence and always will be. What matters most is that we pass this delicate trust on to future generations.

Awards and honors

In 1999, Mohammad-Ali Bahmani received the "Sun of Mehr Trophy" as the best ghazal poet in Iran. In 2004, Mohammad-Ali Bahmani was formally honored during the Sixth National Youth Poetry and Fiction Congress held in Bandar Abbas.

In other works

Behrouz Servatian, in his book The Pleasure of Astonishment in Mohammad Ali Bahmani's Poetry, analyzed the poetry of Mohammad-Ali Bahmani.

In 2018, the biography of Mohammad-Ali Bahmani, titled My Life and Poetry, written by Ahmad Amir-Khalili, was published by Negah Publishing. In 2019, it was released as an audiobook narrated by Behrouz Razavi.

Poetry collections

• Bagh-e Lal (1971)
• Dar Bi-Vazni (1972)
• Aamiyaneha (1976)
• Gisoo, Kolah, Kafor (1977)
• Gahi Delam Baraye Khodam Tang Mishavad (1990)
• Dehati (1998)
• Ghazal (1998)
• Sha'er Shenidani Ast (1998)
• Eshgh Ast (1999)
• Nistan* (2000)
• Kase-ye Ab-e Diogen, Amanam Bedeh (2001)
• In Khaneh Vazhahaye Nasoozi Darad (2003)
• Man Zende-am Hanooz va Ghazal Fekr Mikonam (2009)
• Ghazal Zendegi Konim (Selected Ghazals) (2013)

Discography

Death

Mohammad-Ali Bahmani suffered a stroke on June 9, 2024, but was later discharged from the hospital after his condition improved. Later, on August 22, 2024, following another stroke and a severe cerebral hemorrhage, Bahmani was admitted to Tandis Hospital in Tehran and underwent surgery. His level of consciousness was low, and his condition worsened.

He died around 11:00 PM on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the age of 82, after a failed cardiac resuscitation.

See also

• Nima Youshij
• Hushang Ebtehaj