A Mystical, Magical Multimedia Show in Miami: Niyaz Blends Iranian Mysticism with Feminism
Culture and Entertainment Blog, Kodoom.com Editorial
NIYAZ is perhaps the only Iranian-descent group which has been described by the Huffington Post as "an evolutionary force in contemporary Middle Eastern music" and featured so often in Hollywood blockbusters such as The Matrix, Prince of Persia, Thor-The Dark World, Body of Lies, True Blood, Nip Tuck, Bones, Alias, Prison Break, and Crossing Over.
NIYAZ was founded by Azam Ali - born in Iran and raised in India - and her husband, Ramin Loga Torkian. NIYAZ create a 21st century global trance tradition by seamlessly blending medieval Sufi poetry and folk songs from their native Iran and its surrounding countries in the Persian Gulf and a cutting-edge immersive, multisensory experience that synthesizes sound, space, image, and light.
The group now reaches an impressive and loyal fan base, both Iranian and non-Iranians, worldwide. Their unique performance is danceable, meaningful, and impossible to forget. MTV, BBC and NPR have lauded their groundbreaking work and their music has been featured in several major Hollywood film and television scores.
The performances by NYIAZ are sort of immersive tributes to the first female Sufi mystic and poet, Rabia Al Basri, who was born in eighth century Persia and advocated the doctrines of Divine Love and non-duality that lie at the heart of today's Sufi mysticism. Though recognized as a saint, her role continues to be diminished in value because she was a woman.
You can find a link to NIYAZ (upcoming events and tickets HERE). The superbly innovative upcoming events in Miami and Overland are respectively presented by MDC Live Arts and by Performing Arts, Carlsen Center at the Johnson County Community College.
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