Shamse Bagha (The Sun of Eternity)

Whilst in Vancouver in July 2022, I recorded an EP titled “Shamse Bagah” (The Sun of Eternity) in collaboration with the classical Kamancheh musician,  Mr Misagh Khorram.  The first of the three tracks is a poem by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and two by the poet Andalib. It was a delight to develop the melodies and then collaborate with Mr Khorram, who arranged the instrumental music. 

The three tracks were selected from the body of poems and Holy Writings selected for Holy Day Observances at the Baha’i World Centre.  I was honoured to be invited to chant them at the Holy Threshold whilst serving in the Holy Land during the 1990s. I wanted to honour these beautiful poems as I believe they remain unpublished. 

This is not my first collaboration with Mr Khorram.  In late 2019,  my daughter Shadi and I released an album titled “Radiant Heart”.  I developed a melody to ʻAbdu'l-Bahá’s prayer which I titled “Arise to Serve” accompanied by Kamancheh music, arranged and performed by Mr Khorram. He fulfilled my dream to combine traditional Persian instrumental music with Persian chanting.  

The album art was created by Shidan using Sashiko embroidery technique. The three songs refer to the sun the circles are symbolizing the sun. The album was Produced by Shidan Toloui-Wallace and recorded at Blue light Studio in Vancouver Canada, August 2022.

Shamse Shabestane Hagh (The Sun of Truth)

A prayer revealed by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. Vocal arrangement and performance by: Shidan Toloui-Wallace. Kamancheh played by: Misagh Khorram.

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá penned this Tablet in praise of Baha’u’llah. It is a metaphor comparing Baha’u’llah to the sun appearing in the night giving light to the East and the West. That Sun is a life giver to the sick and injured, as well as bringing spring time and laughter to the lips.  

Aftabe Alame Eshgh (The Sun of the Universe of Love)

A poem written by Andalib. Vocal arrangement and performance by: Shidan Toloui-Wallace. Kamancheh played by: Misagh Khorram.

Mirza Ali Ashraf-I Laehijiani, also know as Andalib (Nightingale) penned this poem in praise of the Báb. The poem speaks of the Báb’s arrival as the light that brightens the world of the spirit and sheds sun on the world of love appearing from the divine. The poem describes the Báb’s appearance in the land of Fars and setting it alight.