Sufi Mysticism and Theatrical Semiotics: Analysing the Influence of Sufism on Contemporary Iranian and Turkish Performance Art.
R. Venugopal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CREATIVE RESEARCH THOUGHTS 2026 DOI: 10.56975/ijcrt.v9i2.269096 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Key points | Argues that Sufi mysticism profoundly influences contemporary Iranian and Turkish theatre, with traditional forms such as Ta'zieh and the Whirling Dervish rituals embodying mystical principles. A comparative analysis identifies shared elements of allegory, minimalism, and interdisciplinary integration of Sufi arts including poetry, calligraphy, and music. |
Abstract
This research explores the profound influence of Sufi mysticism on contemporary Iranian and Turkish theatre through the lens of theatrical semiotics. Sufism, the mystical dimension of Islam, emphasizes personal spiritual experience and the quest for divine union, which finds expression in the themes, symbols, and performance styles of modern theatre in Iran and Turkey. The paper delves into the symbolic language of theatre, exploring how traditional forms like Ta'zieh in Iran and the Whirling Dervish rituals in Turkey embody mystical principles. A comparative analysis highlights shared elements such as allegory, minimalism, and the interdisciplinary integration of Sufi arts like poetry, calligraphy, and music.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The mystical mind: probing the biology of religious experience | 2000 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis | 1983 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy | 1993 | Edited collection of essays | |
| Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mysticism and schizophrenia: A phenomenological exploration of the structure of consciousness in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |