TEHRAN-The Iranian academic and professor of Persian literature Amir Banoo Karimi passed away on Sunday at the age of 92.

The veteran figure was living in Tehran; however, due to the severe deterioration of air quality in the capital city and the fact that she was suffering from pulmonary heart disease, she moved to a friend’s house in Sari City, Mazandaran Province, in the north of the country, where the air is much fresher. Nevertheless, the change of location did not help and she died on December 31, 2023, concurrent with her 92nd birthday, Mehr reported.

Amir Banoo Karimi (1931–2023) specialized in classical Persian literature and the work of the Persian poet Saib Tabrizi (1601-1677). In 2004, she was inducted into the Iranian Science and Culture Hall of Fame for her lifelong contributions to Persian studies, language, and literature.

She was the eldest child of Iranian poet, Seyed Karim Amiri Firuzkuhi (1910-1984). Born in Tehran during the reign of Reza Shah, Amir Banoo was unable to acquire her father's last name, namely, Amiri Firuzkuhi due to its political connotations, “Amir” meaning king hence, king of Firuzkuh. Consequently, she was forced to adopt her father's first name, Karim as her last name.

Karimi pursued her education in the field of Persian Literature at the University of Tehran where she also taught as a professor upon graduation. She later married Mazaher Mosaffa, a Persian poet and professor of Persian literature at the University of Tehran. She had four children, one of whom is the well-known actor and filmmaker Ali Mosaffa.

SS/SAB