Eternal Tales: The Infinite Lives of One Thousand and One Nights

In this presentation, Mahdi Ganjavi will commence by introducing “One Thousand and One Nights,” where he will discuss its origins, themes, and evolution across diverse narrative cultures in the Middle East. He will then proceed to historicize and explore the lesser-known Henriyah Translation (tarjumah hinrīyah), which is the earliest known Persian translation of “One Thousand and One Nights.” Muhammad Baqir Khurasani Buzanjirdi (b.1770), with the patronage of Henry Russell, 2nd Baronet (1783-1852), the British Resident in Hyderabad, finalized this translation in 1814, almost three decades before Abdul Latif Tasuji embarked on a similar project in Iran. Surprisingly, the Henriyah Translation has been overlooked by historians of literature, despite being not only the earliest Persian translation but also one that is based on a significantly older lineage of Alf Layla Wa-Layla Arabic manuscripts.

Through the examination of manuscripts, archival research, and textual analysis of the two available manuscripts of the Henriyah Translation, this presentation will uncover an interregional story that has remained hidden for two centuries, providing insights into the Persian Nights and its journey across different cultures.

Saturday July 22, 2023