The Story of "PirChangi" (the Old Harper); a Memento from Minstrelsy Tradition

The general structure and framework of the story of "The Old Harper" from "Massnavi" by Rumi (Moulavi), bears signs and traces of the minstrelsy art and tradition. That is obviously besides the different details of its narration and regardless of the functions and mystical inferences which has influenced it due to Sufi texts. The minstrelsy tradition is the pre-Islamic musical and literary tradition of Iran; traces of which can be found in sources up to the Maad period, while it has survived in all the next periods and even in the Islamic era as well. Although the "Old Harper" from "Massnavi" and other sources are fictional characters, his story in its various genres is a pattern taken from the characteristics of minstrelsy artists; while their story is a real depiction of life and living of the minstrels. In this article the bibliography and profound structure of this story and its variety of genres in the minstrelsy tradition and their social life is investigated.