Chang‑e Rudaki

Chang‑e Rudaki (In Persian language: چنگ رودکی); lit. “Rudaki’s Lyre”) is a notable Persian vocal-instrumental song composed by Ruhollah Khaleghi in the Bayat-e Esfahan mode, set to a classical qasida by the 10th-century poet Rudaki, beginning with the famous verse "Būy-e ju-ye Mūliyān āyad hamī".

"Chang-e Rudaki"
Song by Ruhollah Khaleghi
Language	fa
Released	mid‑20th century
Recorded	with vocals by Marzieh and Gholam-Hossein Banan
Lyricist(s)	Rudaki

Background and poetic origin

The lyrics are adapted from Rudaki’s qasida "Būy-e Jūy-e Mūliyān āyad hamī". According to *Dehkhoda Dictionary*, “Mūliyān” refers to a river near Bukhara and a region endowed with gardens by Isma’il Samani for his Mowāli servants.^[1][2] Traditional accounts suggest that Rudaki composed the poem during a prolonged stay near Herat on a journey with Nasr II. However, modern scholars argue the poem may have originated in Nishapur or Merv.^[3][4]

Musical characteristics

The piece opens with a fast-paced overture in 2/4 time, featuring motifs spanning a perfect fourth. Despite its Bayat-e Esfahan foundation, the composition avoids microtones characteristic of that mode, resulting in a tonal atmosphere reminiscent of Dastgāh-e Mahur.^[5] The main vocal section is in 3/4 (sometimes perceived as 6/8), with a melody that emphasizes the second and third scale degrees. The female vocalist (Marzieh) initiates the performance with a syncopated entry ahead of the first beat; after the line “zir pāyam pahnīān āyad hamī”, the male singer (Banan) enters on the downbeat. Beginning with the male vocal, the tonal center shifts to Dastgāh-e Shur, and the texture transitions from legato to more detached phrasing. The phrase “shād bāsh va dīr zī” reaches a vocal climax with tonal shades of the *Bīdād* gusheh in Dastgāh-e Homayun, before returning to Bayat-e Esfahan. Later passages explore Dastgāh-e Dastī and Homayun before returning to the original mode. The piece concludes by restating the introductory overture as a closing passage.^[6][7][8][9]

Performances and reception

The song was first broadcast on Iranian radio *Golha Rangarang*, episode 254, featuring Marzieh and Gholam-Hossein Banan.^[10] Musicologist *Kamyar Salavati* described *Chang-e Rudaki* as “one of the most brilliant pieces in the history of Iranian music”.^[5]