Arts & Entertainment
Rumi: Unencumbered Poetic Joy
Two shows of ecstatic poetry, music and dance and a meal inspired by the world's most celebrated mystic poet and scholar, Rumi.
Without a doubt, one of the world’s most celebrated poets is Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī. The work of this 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic continues to cross the boundaries of whatever divides us as human beings.
For example:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
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When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
As a writer and folklorist, I think Rumi’s work is sublime. It captures with very few words what is accessible for us all: a loving connection to the divine within us and between us, regardless of religion, gender, or ethnic make-up.
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But I only remember this about Rumi when I come across translations of his work in articles, quotes posted on social media online, and when I hear about Rumi-inspired events like the upcoming Poets with Rumi’s Caravan that will be happening this Saturday, February 7 at the Glaser Center in Santa Rosa.
Whether you are already a Rumi aficionado, a basic lover of inspirational/ecstatic poetry, or a newcomer to the work of this extraordinarily insightful man, you might want to check out one of the two performances planned for that day.
Poets with Rumi’s Caravan – now in its 15th year - is presented by the longest-running poetry ensemble in the North Bay. The event is designed to be a spontaneous combustion of impromptu poetry, music and mystical dance and includes guest musicians Eliyahu Sills and Jason Ranjit Parmar, as well as whirling dervish Sufi dancer Chelsea Rose.
When Producer and Co-Founder Larry Robinson was asked why Rumi remains the best-selling poet in the 21st century, he said, “Probably because his free-wheeling, God-intoxicated poems cut to the heart of the human experience, transcending all dogma or ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing.”
What a relief! There’s just the unencumbered joy of being divinely inspired.
The program consists of Rumi Light, an afternoon matinee, a 5 pm Persian dinner and Rumi By Night at 7 pm. All three events benefit the Center for Climate Protection.
Here are more Poets with Rumi’s Caravan details:
Glaser Center: 547 Mendocino Ave. in Santa Rosa, CA 95401
3 p.m. Rumi Light $20, 5 p.m. Persian Feast $20, 7 pm “Rumi by Night” $35
Tickets: http://rumiscaravan2015.bpt.me or Many Rivers Books and Tea, 130 South Main Street, Sebastopol, CA.
