Radio Rumi

Radio Rumi is hosted by Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz at the University of Maryland. Keshavarz is author of award winning books including Reading Mystical Lyric: the Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi (USC Press,1998), Recite in the Name of the Red Rose (USC Press, 2006) and a book of literary analysis and social commentary titled Jasmine and Stars: Reading more than Lolita in Tehran (UNC Press, 2007). She has also published other books and numerous journal articles. Keshavarz is a published poet in Persian and English and an activist for peace and justice.

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Episodes

Radio Rumi Program 5: The Courage to Speak of Love

How can one speak of love in a world plagued by disasters like forced migration, starvation, hatred and war? Well, that depends on how we understand the concept of love. If it is defined as the happy and optimistic emotion we normally associate with love, the answer is "We cannot." In this program, I look at the ways in which Rumi understands love and what he wants us to do with it.

Jun 01, 2018•29 min

Radio Rumi Program 4: I was a cry, I turned into laughter

In Rumi's view, the entire universe is a cosmic movement animated with the force of love which is the force of change. So is our individual life. A turning from one stage to another, a moving forward. Moments are not linear repetitive pieces of time. They are instances of becoming (in Persian "shodan.") We are alive in love, in knowing each other, in speaking and laughing together. It is in this openness to the world that transformation happens, continuous and ever changing.

May 18, 2018•33 min

Radio Rumi Program 3: The Everlasting is Born Tonight!

Rumi often speaks about his visions, moments of elation expressed poetically. These are often uplifting poems with striking imagery. This program focuses on a night vision during which he compares the sky to a cosmic chamber where the Everlasting is being born.

May 04, 2018•29 min

Radio Rumi Program 2: What I am does not fit in language

Rumi's approach to understanding oneself in a deeper sense. At times, he looks beyond speaking, beyond describing us with words. He encourages us to explore the mystery of who we are, and through that, the mystery of the universe that houses and nurtures us. A wordless poetic journey! Transcription: https://goo.gl/rjeFKD

Apr 18, 2018•34 min

Radio Rumi Program 1: What does the elephant look like?

The program starts with the significance of Rumi's poetry in Iranian culture and Fatemeh Keshavarz's encounter with this poetry from early childhood. Rumi's poetry and personality are described through anecdotes from his life and examples from his poetry. Radio Rumi is hosted by Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz at the University of Maryland. In this bi monthly series, Dr. Keshavarz explores Rumi's words and invites the listener to enter his vibrant universe and see with fresh eyes.

Apr 05, 2018•34 min

Introduction to Radio Rumi, Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz, University of Maryland

Radio Rumi is hosted by Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz at the University of Maryland. In this bi monthly series, Dr. Keshavarz explores Rumi's words and invites the listener to enter his vibrant universe and see with fresh eyes. These podcasts are gifts to those who wish to taste Rumi's words. The purpose is not to analyze, theorize, or prove anything. These are conversations meant to bring Rumi's poetry to life. Invitations to enter his vibrant universe and see with fresh eyes. Welcome to this Explorati...

Mar 06, 2018•27 min

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