The commemoration of the late Ferdous Kaviani, a pioneering Zoroastrian artist, took place at the Marker Conference in Tehran Pars, attended by fellow believers and artists.
When entering the Hall, the attendees were greeted with the mirror and rose water tradition, by Amoosh Namiri and candies, by Rosha Foroudi. The program started with a traditional ceremony (still observed in the villages of Cham and Mobarake) of candles and tray. The performance featured Shahrad Namiranian on Daf, Shahin Shirmardi as lead vocalist, and the Candle, comprising Shiva Mazdapour, Sheyda Mazdapour, Horshid Nikfam, Hasti Nikfam, Avijeh Ghoshtasbi, Aysan Namiranian, and Mahsa Mazdapour.
Afshin Zaim and Mobed Pariya Mavandi conducted the ceremony, warmly welcoming attendees and each reciting poetry in honor of the occasion. Mobed Pariya Mavandi further introduced the ceremony, explaining that the candle and langari ceremonies are traditionally performed thirty days after a person’s passing to bring joy to the household. He emphasized that, for Zoroastrians, life celebrations are embraced, and the faith is one that embodies joy rather than sorrow.
Afshin Zaim shared that the commemoration ceremony for Ferdous Kaviani, organized by the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran in collaboration with the Tehran Zoroastrian House of Culture and Art, was graciously hosted by Ferdous Kaviani’s family.
In adherence to tradition, Zaim began by introducing the notable guests who attended to honor the memory of the late actor and artist Ferdous Kaviani. Among them were film and television actress Mehraneh Mahin Torabi, writer and actor Ismail Khalaj, actor, director, writer, and translator Dariush Moadabian, theater actress Maryam Motabar, producer Qasim Qolipour (Arouse Atash, Atashe Sabz, Bolanddihaye Safar), producer Alireza Sabat Ahmadi (Neighbors), theater actor Reza Esmailpour, cinema critic Seyed Reza Orang, director Amrullah Ahmadjoo (Tofang Sarpor), actor, documentary maker, and researcher Maziar Lorestani, film and TV actress Golchehreh Sajjadieh, and TV and cinema actor Akbar Rahmati, a longtime friend of Ferdous Kaviani.
The speakers of the program included Mobad Pedram Soroushpour, Armita Kaviani (daughter of Ferdous Kaviani), Dariush Moaddabian, Esmail Khalaj, Afshin Namiranian (President of the Tehran Zoroastrian Association), Esfandiar Ekhtiari (former Zoroastrian representative in parliament), Mehraneh Mahin Torabi, and Seyed Reza Orang.
As the host, Mobed Pariya Mavendi shared a brief biography of Ferdous Kaviani. Kaviani was born in Kerman in 1320 (1941), developed a passion for acting, and began performing in theater by 1340. In 1350, he furthered his studies at the Tehran University of Fine Arts. Mavandi highlighted the support of Kaviani’s wife, Mahin Kaviani, and his children, Ferdous, Artin, and Armita Kaviani. The late Ferdous Kaviani passed away on Mehr 9, 1402.
Mobed Pariya Mavendi, an experienced teacher and head of the Zoroastrian storytelling and Shahnameh Khani group, with over 17 years of experience, performed a Shahnameh reading accompanied by Shahrad Namiranian. Midway through the event, the Sepideh group gave a beautiful performance featuring Kiana Namiranian playing the flute and Arin Malli playing the tar.
