Naqqāli, Iranian dramatic narrative.

Posted in 2011 in the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Naqqāli is the oldest form of drama in the Islamic Republic of Iran and historically plays an important role in society.
the Naqqāl or who carries out this profession tells stories in verse or prose accompanied by gestures and movements and sometimes with music accompanied by paintings on the canvas. Naqqāl works both as an entertainer and as a bearer of Persian literature and culture and must know local cultural expressions, languages ​​and dialects and traditional music. Naqqāli requires considerable talent, a retentive memory and the ability to skillfully improvise to captivate the audience. The Naqqāl wear simple costumes, but they can also wear ancient helmets or armored jackets during performances to help recreate battle scenes. Female Naqqāl perform in front of a mixed audience. Until recently, Naqqāl was considered the most important keeper of Iranian folk tales, ethnic epics and popular music. The Naqqāli was performed first in the premises as in cafes, tents of nomads, houses and historical places such as ancient caravanserai. However, a decline in the popularity of venues combined with new forms of entertainment has led to a decrease in interest in Naqqāli performances. The aging of the master performers (morshed) and the growing popularity among the younger generation have caused a sharp decline in the number of skilled Naqqāl, threatening the survival of this dramatic art

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