TEHRAN- Iranian director Shokr Khoda Gudarzi plans to stage the love story of Bijan and Manijeh from the Shahnameh, the epic masterpiece of the Persian poet Ferdowsi, in a musical play in May. 

The musical performance featuring music and theater artists, is ready to be performed after nine months of rehearsal in Tehran’s Shahrzad Theater Complex.

The love story of Bijan and Manijeh is one of the most enchanting narratives encapsulated within Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, filled with bravery, passion, and sacrifice.

Bijan, a skilled hunter, fell in love with Manijeh, a Turan princess, despite the hostility between Iran and Turan. Their love blossoms instantly, kindled by an unbreakable bond that defies all odds.

However, their families, who hail from rival kingdoms, strongly oppose their love, fearing the consequence of their union. They married in secret and fled to Iran. However, Manijeh's father found out about their elopement and waged war against Iran. 

Bijan fought bravely in the war, but he was eventually killed by Turanian forces. Manijeh died of grief and heartbreak upon learning of Bijan's death.

The Shahnameh, in which the Persian national epic found its final and enduring form, was completed in 1010.

According to some historical sources on Persian literature, Ferdowsi spent 30 years writing the Shahnameh, which is comprised of nearly 60,000 verses.

Also known as “Book of Kings” in English, the Shahnameh is based mainly on the Khwatay-namak, a history of the kings of Persia in Pahlavi (Middle Persian) from mythical times down to the 7th century.

For nearly 1000 years, Shahnameh has remained one of the most popular works in the Persian-speaking world.

SAB/