Teahouse painting on oppression of Imam Hussein (AS) unveiled in Tehran

TEHRAN,Nov.16(MNA) – A teahouse painting depicting the tragedy of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) in Karbala on Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, was unveiled at Tehran’s Shafaq Cultural Center last week. The painting entitled “Oppression of Imam Hussein (AS)” has recently been completed by Mansur Vafaii, one of the last few living masters of Iranian teahouse painting. A collection of his works is currently on display along with the painting in an exhibit at the center, Persian news agencies reported on Friday. Vafaii spent eight months drawing the 2x4-meter painting “On the top left of the artwork, I have painted 40 angels who are crying over the loss of their Imam. They had descended to help Imam Hussein (AS) on the evening of Ashura with the swords in their hands, but Imam (AS) refused to let them fight,” Vafaii elaborated on his painting. Other scenes reflect the events leading to the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), he said, adding, “The right bottom of the painting shows Hazrat Zainab (SA), the daughter of Imam Ali (AS) who was beside his brother Imam Hussein (AS) during the Ashura events when Imam Hussein (AS) was martyred.” The scene depicts Hazrat Zainab (SA) delivering an outstanding speech at the court of Yazid, the son of Muawiyah, the founder of the Umayyad dynasty of caliphs, after they were taken to Damascus as captives, he added. The exhibition, which opened at the Shafaq Cultural Center on November 11, will later be shown at the central building of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) beginning on November 19.