TEHRAN – The symphonic poem “Takhti” composed by Iranian musical prodigy Puria Khadem was unveiled during a ceremony at Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural Center on Saturday.

“Takhti” was recorded in collaboration with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Czech last year.

The former conductor of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and Iranian vocalist Mohammad Motamedi have collaborated in the project.

The 17-year-old Puria, the son of the Olympic gold medalist wrestler Rasul Khadem, has composed “Takhti” in memory of the legendary wrestler Gholamreza Takhti.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by a large number of prominent artists, cineastes and veteran sportsmen.

Alireza Heidari, the president of the International Pahlavani Wrestling Federation, in a short speech, praised Takhti and said, “We need to admire the name of Takhti and I am happy Takhti has risen from the family of the wrestlers.”

Actor Dariush Arjmand called Takhti a piece of tile works of the old mosques in Isfahan, which has been mingled with the art and culture of this land and said, “Takhti loved people and worked for people. Even many young people who do not know Takhti feel a great respect for the athlete.”

Motamedi also called it a great honor to be working with Ali Rahbari and composer Khadem and said, “Working in this project is sure a positive point in my career.”

The ceremony continued honoring the composer of the poetry Mehrdad Molavi, and part of the symphony was performed by Khadem and Motamedi for the audience.

Puria Khadem has also composed symphonic poem “Alamdar”, which was performed in Vahdat Hall in 2015. The composition was also performed the same year by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Rauf Abdullayev in Baku.

“Alamdar” (The Standard-Bearer) is about Hazrat Abbas (AS), the brother of Imam Hussein (AS) and the standard-bearer of the Imam’s group in the Ashura battle, during which the Imam and his companions were martyred. 

Photo: A poster for “Takhti” is on display during the unveiling ceremony of the symphonic poem at Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural Center on February 25, 2017. (Tasnim/Mohammad-Ali Marizad)

RM/YAW