The Iranian President Dr Rouhani has gifted an animated version of Kalila Wa Demna, a Farsi translation of Panchatantra and a copy of Mahabharat in Farsi during his state visit to India.
In a warm gesture, Iranian President Dr. Rouhani gifted an animated version of Kalila Wa Demna (Farsi translation of the Panchtantra) and a copy of the Mahabharat in Farsi to PM @narendramodi. #DustemanIranpic.twitter.com/5VjZmI3cEu
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 17, 2018
Kalila Wa Demna was first translated to Farsi by a Persian scholar Abdullah Ibn al Muqaffa in 8th century AD. The work is considered a first literary masterpiece in Persian. There seem to be many other translated versions of the same story in the region. The first Persian translation of Mahabharata is known as ‘Razmanama‘ meaning war (Razm) epic (nama). The translation was done under the rule of Akbar in the period 1584–1586. However, we are not sure if the Iranian president’s gift was a copy of Razmnama or some other contemporary translation.
The India- Iran partnership has seen growth under NDA government. The Chabahar port has seen the light of the day and the first shipment of wheat through Chabahar has been delivered to Afghanistan. The India Iran ties are growing in spite of USA’s anti- Iran stance. The current visit of the president is expected to further strengthen Indo- Iran ties.
