36 – Maqam (Tarz) Benyamin Pira (“Benyamin Is Our Pir”)

Range: C, D, E (E♭), F, G.

Variable notes: E.

Time signatures in the metric sections: 6/4.

Tuning: Haft Dastan or Barz (C, C, G)

It is one of the kalam maqams (sacred melodic-modal pieces in the tanbur repertoire of the Yarsan, or Ahl-e Haqq) and has a simple 6-beat rhythm. Its refrain (sarband) is the first couplet, which is sung by the lead kalam singer (sarkalam) and repeated by those seated in the jam (the Yarsan ritual gathering):

Yar dida-giani, Benyamin pira

Pir Musi vazir, Davu dasgira

O light of my eyes and soul, O Pir and master, Pir Benyamin,

His Holiness Musi is the vizier, and His Holiness Davud the helper, refuge and rescuer of the shelterless and the destitute.

This maqam is in praise of Pir Benyamin, Pir Musi and Pir Davud. As mentioned earlier, each of the persons named held an office and position like that of a vizier within the spiritual dominion (velayat) of Soltan Sahak, which we will not repeat here. The poem of this maqam is likewise transmitted from Darvish Nowruz Sourani.