Sasan Shakourian: The show "Shamaran" combines old legends and traditional style of Iranian show
Iran Theater- "Shamaran" has been staged in Tehran's Sangelaj Hall and Sasan Shekourian, the director , considers it to combine, ancient legends, history and the traditional way of Iranian theater.
"Shamaran", written by Alireza Davari and directed by Sasan Shekourian, has been staged since April 10, 2024 at Sangelaj Theater in Tehran.
Shakourian (born in the city of Behbahan , Khuzestan province) focuses on ritual, traditional and research works, and his latest show is based on Iranian legends and the ancient civilization of Ilam (Elam).
The name "Shamaran" is composed of the Avestan words "shah" and "maran" and means the king of snakes. "Shahmaran" is a mythical half-snake and half-woman creature with a human head decorated with a large necklace.
He used the ancient history of Elamite in southwest Iran as a source of inspiration to produce the show "Shamaran".
The Arjan bowl is one of the Elamite artifacts that was discovered from the coffin of one of the rulers of this civilization in Khuzestan province. This bronze bowl is also known as the "Cup of Life" because many ritual performances, dramas and dances can be seen on it.
Sasan Shakourian explained about the use of ancient Iranian history and legends in the show "Shamaran": "The play and performance is a link between the legend of Shamaran and the historical period of Kidin-Hutran Ilami in the historical region of Arjan in Behbahan. This legend went back to India and it is well known in the culture and traditions of western Iran. This bronze bowl dated between 800 B.C and 500 B.C. was discovered in Arjan region, and many researchers believe is the history of Iran's theater in this bowl , and we used its images and motifs in the scenes of our show.”
In the performance of "Shamaran", the director uses the traditional method of "Siah Bazi", he explained: "We were pursuing goals in bringing this legend to the stage, which could connect with the audience in the form of an Iranian show and convey the concept much more better, and I must say that no one had use this legend in the form of an Iranian show."
He added: "My biggest goal was to move towards illustration in Iranian dramas; something that we have rarely seen in Iranian shows. We tried to narrate the story in the manner of East Asian theaters.”
