Westernized Living room

[ Otagheh Neshiman-eh Gharrbi ]

A major conflict between my parents was over the frequent remodeling of the salooneh paziraie (the “sitting” room). It seemed my mother was never satisfied with the room where she received her friends.

I remember that there were two kinds of living rooms in our home. Traditional Persian and Westernized living rooms. Communication with Europe forever altered the Iranian living style. The rich and the educated brought the Western living style to Iran. French style furniture became a symbol of distinction and a sophisticated personality.

Though they imitated the European lifestyle, the upper class still enjoyed some traditional privileges, such as extracting cheap labor from servants. I remember the servants were at the beck and call of their masters every minute of their lives. The military upper rank had their own version of servants: mas-dars, or young men drafted into servitude for their two-year mandatory military service. The memory of the way we treated the people below us is embarrassing to me.

 اطاق نشیمن غربی

[ وِستِرنیزد لیوینگ روم ]

در خانه ما بيشترين  اختلاف بین والدين من، بوجود آوردن تغيير در سالن پذيرايي به سبک غربی بود. با وجود اين مادرم هيچوقت درباره اين قسمت از منزل كه مخصوص پذيرائي مهمانانش بود کاملا رضايت نداشت.

به خاطر می آورم که در خانه ما دو نوع اطاق نشیمن وجود داشت.  اطاق نشیمن ایرانی و اطاق نشیمن فرنگی. تا آنجا که من شنیده ام با نزديكتر شدن ارتباط با اروپا تغييراتي در روش زندگي و فرهنگ مردم  ایران بوجود آمد و براي هميشه در زندگي ايراني تأثير گذار شد. افراد تحصيلكرده سبک زندگي غربي را به ايران آوردند. لوازم زندگي و مبلمان فرانسوي سمبل زندگي و نشان شخصيت برجسته افراد گرديد.  

باوجود تقلید ظاهری از شیوه زندگی غربی ، طبقه مرفّه همچنان به شیوه گذشته از وجود خدمتكار براي انجام امور منزل بهره مي بردند . خدمه اي كه هر لحظه گوش به فرمان آنها بودند. خانواده هاي ارتشي برای انجام امور شخصی خود از جوانانیکه خدمت دوساله نظام وظیفه خود را ميگذراندند به عنوان مصدر استقاده می کردند. خاطره رفتار با زير دستان و خدمه در آن زمان هنوز برای من خجالت آور است.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

The fireplace is decorated with a traditional Persian painting (called Miniature) and framed with Sterling silver, another art work from Iran. In the small dish, caviar is shown, ready to be served with wine from Shiraz.

قسمت پیش بخاری با یک نقّاشی سنّتی ایرانی (مینیاتور) در یک قاب نقره استرلینگ که آن نیز کار هنری ایرانی است، تزئین شده است. در داخل ظرف کوچک، خاویار قرار دارد که آماده برای خوردن همراه با شراب شیراز است.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

Chandeliers were introduced to Iranians from Europe and became very popular.

استفاده از چلچراغ از طریق اروپا به ایران آمد و محبوبیّت زیادی پیدا کرد.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Islam, but it is considered good treatment in parties and celebration.

استفاده ار مشروبات الکلی در اسلام ممنوع است، امّاپذیرائی با آن در میهمانیها بسیار رواج دارد

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

Chess boards and the related pieces have been made in artistic ways, wood carving, marble carving, Khatam (a kind of wood work).

صفحه و مهره های شطرنج با شیوه های هنری مختلف و بااستفاده از چوب خراطی شده، مرمر کنده کاری شده، خاتم (یک نوغ کار هنری چوبی) ساخته می شد.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

The bird on the fireplace is made of carved turquoise stone from Mashad.

پرنده بالای پیش بخاری از سنگ فیروزه مشهد ساخته شده است.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

The furniture is decorated with textiles made by hand in Yazd, a city in central Iran.

مبلمان اتاق با پارچه دست بافت یزد. شهری در مرکز ایران، پوشیده شده اند.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

Glass work is another Persian craft. Antiques such as the blue bird are very precious for Iranians. They are gifts transferred from generation to generation.

شیشه گری یکی دیگر از کارهای دستی ایرانی است. اشیاء قدیمی نظیر پرنده آبی رنگ بسیار نزد ایرانیها عزیز است. این ها هدایائی است که از نسلی به نسل دیگر رسیده است.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

Persian cats are the most beautiful and the most common pet among Iranians. They are welcome everywhere, even in a highly decorated living room.

گربه ایرانی زیباترین و در عین حال فراوان ترین حیوان خانگی در ایران است. آنها هر جا که می خواهند میروند و حتّی’ در اتاقهای مجلّل نشیمن با تزئینات فراوان نیز میتوان گربه را دید.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

While Iranians have their own traditional musical instruments, they became masters in playing Western music. Pianos came to Iran from Russia and were prized instruments. Rich families push their children to play the piano, meaning to prove their high standards.

در حالیکه ایرانیان آلات موسیقی سنتی خود را دارند، در نواختن آلات موسیقی غربی نیز بسیار مهارت دارند. پیانو از راه روسیه به ایران آمده و بسیار مورد علاقه بوده است. ایرانیان ثروتمند فرزندان خود را وادار به یاد گرفتن پیانو می کردند تا به این ترتیب موقعیّت بالای طبقاتی خود را نشان دهند.

Diorama depicting the "westernized" livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.
Diorama depicting the “westernized” livingroom in Iran. Childhood memories of Shiraz, Persia, created by Niccu Tafarrodi, RememberingPersia.com.

Fruits are very popular. It is impossible to treat an Iranian guest well without fruit. Fresh fruits are served as desert.

مصرف میوه در ایران بسیار رایج است. یک پذیرائی گرم از مهمانان بدون میوه امکان ندارد. میوه های تازه بعتوان دِسر مصرف می شوند.

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