Davood Dadashi on “siah Bazi” and his experiences as a performer

Davood Dadashi, a veteran artist and well-known face of Iranian theater and Siah Bazi, started his career by ta'zieh. Since he was 12 or 13 years old, he had made the audience cry by appearing in the role of two children of Muslim ibn Aqil al-Hashimi and his passionate acting.

Dadashi explains about his presence in the field of performing arts: "In the 80s and after living in Tehran, I saw the advertisement of the show "Sultan in Disguise" directed by Davood Fathali Baygi in Mehrab Hall in Valiasr Square. I went to Mehrab Hall, I once again watched Saadi Afshar's live performance. A man whose works I had seen on the stage for many years and I dreamed of acting with him in my heart. A wish that came true this time when I saw him again."

He continued: "After the performance, I went backstage and told Davood Fathali Baygi about my interest in siah Bazi. As always, the master repeated his words that ,Dear, Siah Bazi is not a jar of paint,  and whoever blackens his face; is not a performer of Siah Bazi. This art needs to be taught and learned. After my insistence to act, I was on the stage for 3 months as a spearman until after a long time I said a one-line dialogue and eventually this one-line turned into a page. In one of these nights, Sa’adi Afshar fell ill and the news of his absence worried the troupe. It was here that I boldly announced for the first time that I will go on stage instead of Afshar. An offer that was made  a lot of opposition, and in the end, he sent me to the stage wearing the costume of Afshar.”

Dadashi quoted Ali Nassirian and said: "According to master Ali Nassirian, a performer of Siah Bazi should have small body and be  humorous and know the art of improvisation well. I had these characteristics, but at that time I had not experienced, and little by little, by passing the course under the supervision of the Center for Ritual-Traditional Dramas, I was introduced as the first graduate student of Siah Bazi after the revolution, and I officially started my work in 1986 and I am still on this path. "

 

Dadashi believed that playing in a Siah Bazi show requires proper and fundamental training: "The audience may be interested in everything that black says on stage; Laugh but at what cost! From the very beginning, Master Davood Fath Alibeigi kept this sentence in my ear that I don't want you to make the audience laugh at any cost..." When we know the technique and know the comic elements, why should we indulge in vulgarity?!”

He emphasized that Siah Bazi is our national theater and Iranian identity.