Trilobyte's RUMI Project

The Poetry of

Jalaluddin Rumi

An appBooktm

from

Trilobyte Games, LLC

Introduction

September 30 is the anniversary of the birth of Rumi, one of the great spiritual poets of all history and the best selling poet in the United States. Born in what is modern-day Afghanistan, Rumi fled through Persia to Turkey ahead of the Mongol hoards that later conquered all of Central Asia. Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi is credited as being the greatist dervish of all.

Sufi dervishes use sacred dance and meditation to connect with and to channel the love of God.

 

Recently, Turkey and Central Asia, where Dervishes continue to whirl in meditative dance to the sacred music of the region, declared 2007 the "Year of Rumi." (image: Rumi's Tomb, Turkey) But most of us know Rumi from his poems, which often focus on love and always reflect insight and an appreciation for great beauty.  This proposed appBook from Trilobyte Games will be our homage to the great poet, to nature, and to love itself. 

go my friend
bestow your love
even on your enemies
if you touch their hearts
what do you think will happen?

Ghazal 838

appBook design notes....

Since Rumi is the best selling poet in the US market virtually every year, there is no shortage of print volumes of his work. Thus, this iDevice appBook will enhance the user experience by combining stunning design; rich media including audio, video & animation; and, technology-driven tools like bookmarks, narration on demand, search and annotation as indicated and appropriate.  For a look at what we have in mind, check out this demo of the "Annotated Alice in Wonderland" that our team developed for W. W. Norton Publishing.

Popular Persian (based in Toronto) band, Niyaz, has agreed to compose original music for the appBook. Fronted by the educated, young & multilingual Azam Ali, Niyaz is very popular on the “worldbeat” scene, as well as with key target audiences for this title/product.  As with many poets (Scottish bard Bobby Burns comes to mind), Rumi’s work has been used as song lyrics for centuries. The addition of Niyaz (Wikipedia) to the equation will make this appBook really pop. It will be a real differentiator, and will drive sales on its own merit.

Other “enhancements” include the presentation of representative pieces of historic, “silk road” artists....some of which are depicted in this document. There is a wealth of fabulous, public domain art available to producers in that regard.

We are currently reaching out to two, highly credentialed academics who specialize in the poetry of Rumi. One in the USA, one in Turkey. We intend to evaluate the value added by collaborating with these recognized experts, and the potential to have them narrate and interpret the material for our users. Both are capable of narrating in at least two languages.

 

You who are not kept anxiously awake for love's sake, sleep on.
 

In restless search for that river, we hurry along;
  you whose heart such anxiety has not disturbed, sleep on.
 

Love's place is out beyond the many separate sects;
  since you love choosing and excluding, sleep on.
 

Love's dawn cup is our sunrise, his dusk our supper;
  you whose longing is for sweets and whose passion
 is for supper, sleep on.
 

In search of the philosopher's stone, we are melting like copper;
  you whose philosopher's stone is cushion and pillow, sleep on.
 

I have abandoned hope for my brain and head; you who wish for
  a clear head and fresh brain, sleep on.
 

I have torn speech like a tattered robe and let words go;
  you who are still dressed in your clothes, sleep on.     

Ghazal 314
Translated by Jack Marshall

Coffeehouse Press, October 1986

If I was not so pitifully in love

                       

I wouldn't then be standing at your door.

                       

Don't say, "Go away, don't stand at my door!"

                       

I wouldn't exist, my dear, if I didn't stand here.

#1923

God forbid I'd compare the moon to your face

                       

Or the tall cypress to your stature and grace.

                       

Where in the moon are ruby sweet lips to be found?

                       

What cypress sways with the luminous grace of your ways?

#1845

Ah, what was there in the light-giving candle that it set fire to the heart; and snatched the heart away?

You who have set fire to my heart, I am consumed, O friend; come quickly, quickly!

The form of the heart is not a created form, for the beauty of God manifested itself from the cheek of the heart.

I have no succour save in his  sugar, I have no profit save in his lips.

Remember him who one dawn released the heart of mine from the chain of your trees.

My soul, the first time I saw you my soul heard something from your soul.

When my heart drank water from your fountain it drowned in you, and the torrent snatched me away.