Abteilung für Hochschulkommunikation

Vorlesungsreihe “A Comparative Study on Two Major Schools of Naqqāli [...]”

Abstract: This study conducts a comparative analysis of two major schools of “Naqqāli”, a form of Iranian traditional storytelling where the performer narrates national epic tales using gestures and body movements. Previous research on Naqqāli has primarily focused on the verbal aspects of narration, often neglecting the rich gestural elements integral to oral storytelling. To address this gap, the research focuses on the visual data of two well-known contemporary Naqqāls, Master Torabi and Master Saeedi. They belong to the last generation of Naqqāl in Iran. Each Naqqal represents different schools of Naqqāli, making their performances valuable resource for studying the role of gestures. The analysis centers on the second wrestling scene between Rustam and Sohrab, who are tragically unaware of their father-son bond. This study examines recorded performances by Torabi (2009) and Saeedi (2007), using Mueller’s(2024) Multimodal Gesture Analysis(MGA) tools to explore the multimodal interactions in both styles. The research highlights the role of gesture in conceptualizing narrative and aims to contribute to broader study of Iranian gesture culture by investigating the diverse functions of gestures across different narrative levels.