Zahhak: The Legend of the Serpent King
A shadow puppet show
Zahhak: The Legend of the Serpent King is an exciting shadow play performance that retells a classic tale from the Shahnameh or Book of Kings, originally penned in the tenth century AD by the Persian poet, Ferdowsi. The story tells of the misguided Prince Zahhak who is easily swayed by the devil to do away with his crowned father and usurp the thrown. Soon after, King Zahhak is duped again by the devil whose seemingly respectful kisses turn into monstrous snakes that grow out of the king’s shoulders. The Serpent King grows infamous throughout the land for his treachery and oppression of the known world. He rules for one thousand years before a noble and valiant young Iranian man named Feraydun gains the strength and army to defeat the unjust King. Inspired by Hamid Rahmanian’s seminal book, Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings and is the predecessor of Feathers Of Fire. In English, 20 minutes plus a special look inside the pop up book based on the same story.
Design and directed by Hamid Rahmanian #hamidinperson
Performed by Hamid RahmanianIan, Jon Riddleberger and Ian Sweetman
Storyteller: Leila Ghaznavi
Musicians: Yahya Alkhansa ,Hedayat Shafaee,
Produced by Fictionville Studio
BIG thanks for Mona Keyhan @Persian Art Festival for producing the event
@National Sawdust in #Brooklyn #New York
Past performances:
Smithsonian Museum at Sackler Museum for the asian Art, 2019
Tirgan Festival, Toronto, 2019
BAM Brooklyn Academy of Music, 2017
National Sawdust / Persian Arts Festival, 2017
Brooklyn Public Library, 2016
Public Schools across NYC with support from Brooklyn Arts Council and Good Shepard Services, 2016
Honolulu Museum of Art, 2015
Asia Society NYC, 2014
