Examining the Aspects of Music and Its Importance in the Poems of Mehdi Akhavan Sales
Abstract
This research provides an in-depth analysis of the musical aspects of Mehdi Akhavan Sales' innovative poetry. Focusing on three main areas; external music (meters), lateral music (rhyme and radif), and internal music (sound and meaning), this article explores the role and importance of these elements in the structure and transmission of Akhavan's poetic concepts. In particular, in the section on internal music, by providing definitions and examining the most frequently used verbal and spiritual devices, it is emphasized how they affect the message of the poem. The aim is to clarify the vital role of music in Akhavan's poetry as one of the most prominent contemporary Iranian poets. This research aims to answer the following questions using a descriptive-analytical method: 1- What meter and rhyme patterns are used in Akhavan Sales' free verse poems and how have these choices affected the external and accompanying music of his compositions? 2- How do the verbal and spiritual devices (internal music) in Akhavan Sales' poems contribute to the musical richness and the transmission of his deep poetic themes? The research findings indicate that Akhavan Sales, by creatively utilizing prosodic meters and also making innovative changes in rhyme and radif, has created a special music in the form of his free verse that distinguishes his poetic identity. The strategic use of widely used literary devices such as metaphor, simile, pun, and repetition in Akhavan's poems has not only contributed to the aesthetics of his words, but has also been an effective tool for transmitting his emotions, social, and philosophical themes.
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Introduction
The discussions related to the music of Mehdi Akhavan Sales' poetry in this article consist of three general areas: meter, rhyme and radif (lateral music), and internal music. In the meter section, definitions related to meter and an introduction to its importance in free (half) poetry are examined. Also, the use of poetic meters in Akhavan's poetry collection, including his seven poems, are analyzed and their frequency is presented. In the rhyme section, discussions are raised about the role of rhyme and radif in Akhavan's poetry. In the internal music section, the most widely used and influential verbal and spiritual devices are discussed. In this section, a brief definition of literary devices is presented, which is mainly based on the contents of the book "Arts of Rhetoric and Literary Crafts" by Professor Allameh Jalal al-Din Homaei. For a better understanding, some of the devices and the words or phrases in question are highlighted so that the reader can understand the subject in question. It should be noted that due to the size of the article, the study of the traditional poetry collections of Akhavan has been omitted, though occasional references to his traditional poems are made for comparative purposes when relevant to understanding his musical innovations. This study aims to show how these musical components provide a platform for the deeper transmission of themes and emotions in Akhavan's poems. Inner music, especially relying on spiritual arrangements, plays a key role in creating the epic and lyrical spaces of his poetry. Also, the study of these components in Akhavan's Nimai'i poems establishes his position as one of the pioneers of this style in contemporary Iranian poetry. A correct understanding of this music opens a new window to understanding the hidden semantic and artistic layers of his works.
Mehdi Akhavan Sales (1929-1990), known as one of the most prominent figures of contemporary Iranian poetry, was a student and follower of Nima Yushij, the founder of Persian free verse. His poetry is characterized by a unique combination of classical prosody and modern themes, often expressing despair, social criticism, and philosophical contemplation.
Conclusion
In examining the music of Mehdi Akhavan Sales' poetry, it can be seen that the element of music is one of the most important foundations for the formation of the artistic and expressive structure of his poetry. By consciously utilizing the musical capacities of language, Akhavan Sales has been able to create a deep and effective connection between form and meaning. An examination of external music in his poems shows that meter is not only a phonetic format, but also a tool for conveying emotion, inducing space, and strengthening poetic tone. The variety of meters and rhythms in Akhavan Sales' poetry collections testifies to his mastery of the musical possibilities of poetry and his detailed familiarity with both tradition and innovation. In the field of lateral music, rhyme and radif play a role beyond verbal arrangement in his poetry, and in many cases, they help to integrate the structure of the poem, highlight the meaning, and strengthen the rhythm of the words. By carefully using rhyme, Akhavan Sales has been able to avoid monotony while at the same time maintaining the phonetic coherence of the poem. Also, the radif in some of his poems has become a factor of semantic and emotional emphasis and has contributed to the permanence of the poetic atmosphere.
In the area of internal music, the frequency and diversity of verbal and spiritual devices show that Akhavan Sales' poetic language is a completely artistic, selective language with a high capacity for induction. Devices such as repetition, consideration of analogy, contrast, pun, and proportion, in addition to creating harmony, have played an important role in deepening the semantic layers of his poetry. These features have caused the music in Akhavan Sales' poetry not to remain only at the level of sound, but to be mixed with meaning, image, and emotion.
Therefore, the music of Akhavan Sales' poetry should be considered a fundamental element in the formation of his stylistic identity. The results of this research show that Akhavan Sales achieved a special and effective way of utilizing musical elements by combining the prosody tradition and the capacities of Nimai'i poetry. This has given his poetry structural strength, linguistic richness, and special emotional impact.
In sum, the music of poetry in the works of Akhavan Sales is not a secondary element, but one of the main pillars of his literary
creation, and its study can provide a clearer way to understand the poetic world and the artistic expression of this prominent
poet.
References
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