Written by Sheila Llewellyn and produced by Aidan Mathews for RTE Radio 1
Winner of the 2011 PJ O'Connor Award for Radio Drama
Winner of the 2011 PJ O'Connor Award for Radio Drama
I've just listened to a radio play that aired on Ireland's national radio broadcaster - set during the '79 Revolution. I was asked to contribute, so I chose to sing some of my favourite Gathas from the Zend Avesta in the Avestan language.
Mainly for my grandfather Manuchehr, who taught my brother and me these verses when we were both children, for our Navjote. I used to love the sound of them so much, it wasn't a chore at all, and to this day, if I'm especially nervous or worried about something, I sing/recite these to myself. Before every concert/recital, I would do the same, so it was quite surreal to lend my voice and share these deeply private, personal verses over the airwaves. I'm grateful that I was born in India, so that my family were able to live as they saw fit, and so that me and my brother could have our Navjote, so that we could live as practising Zoroastrians, go to Anglican schools, enjoy Indian music alongside Persian music, and pursue Western classical music and drama while also speaking in Gujarati and Hindi. I'm also grateful that I spent the first part of my adult life in Ireland, because despite all the challenges I faced there, I was allowed the freedom to live as I liked, and do whatever I wanted. I wonder if I will ever get to feel the same way about Iran....Anyway, I've made my grandfather very happy today - I'll add a link to the podcast when it's available, and I'll also send him a copy. He will feel his life (or that of his father, who travelled to India from Iran via mule!!) has not been in vain after all.
The House on Shareni Street
Written by Sheila Llewellyn and produced by Aidan Mathews for RTE Radio 1LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE PLAY - THE HOUSE ON SHARENI STREET HERE
Duration 55 mins
