Muharram in 'Coffeehouse' Paintings

 

 Print on Linen Made on Parda Style.

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The growing use of devotional posters and banners depicting the tragic events of Karbala throughout Indian-Sub-continent during Ayam-e-Aza is reviving a custom once extremely popular in Iran. During the Qajar period (1794 -1925), narrative paintings were predominantly utilized to portray various events associated with the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Initially, they were portable paintings called ‘Shamayel or Parda’ (Curtain) and used as a backdrop while narrating the tragedy of Karbala before the mourners. Historians have considered these Shamayel as Coffeehouse paintings, for it was customary to recall the martyrdom of Imam Hussain in Qahva- Khanas (Coffeehouses) during Muharram.

During Safavid period, the Muharram  rituals such as taking out public processions, recalling the martyrdom Imam Hussain and his companions with three days hunger and thirst at Karbala in 680 CE in mourning assemblies (Majlis) and  ‘Tazia-Khani and Shabih-Khani’ had become a regular and popular feature. Coffeehouse paintings added new dimension to the rituals. The use of paintings as backdrop made the presentation both audio and visual and came to be known as known as shamayel-gardani or parda-dari. The presentation was made by a narrator called as parda-dar (storyteller). He used to go from place to place to recite story of Karbala after  hanging a painting before devotees at the venue. Devotees used to assemble hurriedly after seeing the painting to listen to the troubles of Imam Hussain during  Qajar era. The ritual gradually moved from street corners to courtyards of Qahva-Khana and then to specially constructed buildings known Hussainia’ (Imambara or Ashurkhana).  Later, they came to be employed as decorative wall hangings and as murals wherever assemblies were organized to mourn the tragedy of Karbala and persecution of survivors by Governor of Kufa, Ibn Ziyad and Caliph Yazid.

The term Qahva-Khana refers to a shop or meeting place where coffee is prepared and served. It is believed that the first Qahva –Khana had appeared in Iran during the long reign of Shah Tahmasb (1524-1576.But they figure in historical accounts during the regime of Shah Abbas (1577-1629).Qahva-Khana did not serve coffee during the period of Shah Tahmasb or Shah Abbas as coffee replaced tea as the most popular beverage in Persia (Old name of Iran) in late 19^th century. Prior to it, it is also said that they were called ‘Cay Khana’ before the advent of coffee. Qahva-Khanas were extremely popular in many a cities of Persia to serve as an outlet to offer not just coffee but also facilities for smoking water- pipe(qalyan), tea, soft- drinks and even light meals. They flourished due to growth of the population, urbanization and improved road conditions that encouraged people to travel more frequently. Certain Persian cities had sprawling coffeehouses where thousands of people could be accommodated.               

 As this practice attained popularity, paintings began to be used to decorate Azakhanas at homes. For the elites, a courtly “parda” form of painting was developed. It was more refined in nature and artists used European techniques of perspective. In this form, the coloring and mood of the painting were less restrained and the characters depicted were ‘princely and stately’. They came to be painted as murals on walls of shrines. The advent of technology resulted in the decline of the practice. However, so powerful were the images depicted in the paintings that they reemerged in the form of posters and banners produced by high-speed machines. As the modern technology has made them very cost effective and accessible to affluent and non-affluent alike, their use is on the rise to decorate Imambaras, Majalis, Sabeels and walls of shrines dedicated to martyrs. Since, the images are reproduction of original paintings, they also serve as a reminder of the disappeared golden era of coffeehouse paintings.(References available on request).         

 

A Wall Hanging on the Pattern of Coffeehouse Painting.(Photo Courtesy-Google Image)