Mokhtarnameh (Persian: مختارنامه, lit.'The Book of Mokhtar') is an Iranian historical epic television series directed by Davood Mirbagheri, based on the life of Al-Mukhtar, a pro-Alid revolutionary based in Kufa, who led an islamic revolution against the Umayyads in 685 and ruled over most of Iraq for eighteen months during the Second Fitna. Over 140 actors were cast in it.[1] It was originally shot in Persian language, and later dubbed into English, Arabic, Urdu and Bengali languages. The series is one of the most well-received Iranian TV series worldwide, and it is aired on national TV every Muharram month.

Mokhtarnameh
Poster
Persianمختارنامه
GenreHistory
Biography
Religion
Epic
Written byDavood Mirbagheri
Hasan Mirbagheri
Mohammad Beyranvand
Directed byDavood Mirbagheri
StarringFariborz Arabnia
Farhad Aslani
Hassan Mirbagheri
Reza Kianian
Amin Zendegani
Mehdi Fakhimzadeh
Nasrin Moghanloo
Fariba Kosari
Jafar Dehgan
Fereydoun Sorani
Amin Salahloo
Reza Rooygari
Davoud Rashidi
Mohammad Sadeghi
Shahram Haghighat Doost
Amir Reza Delavari
Parviz Poorhosseini
Country of originIran
Original languagePersian
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes40
Production
ProducersMahmoud Fallah
Sima Film
CinematographyAzim Javanrouh
Reza Ghaffari
EditorMehdi Hosseinivand
Running time60 minutes
Original release
Release1 October 2010 (2010-10-01) –
15 July 2011 (2011-07-15)

Plot summary

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After nine years of farming and away from the battlefield, Mukhtar returns to politics when Hasan ibn Ali is injured in his battle with Muawiyah's forces. Years later, Mukhtar arrives in Kufa to prepare for Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alī''s arrival. On Yazid's orders, Ibn Ziyad arrives and unites the people of Kufa against Husayn by using lies. Mukhtar is imprisoned to prevent the riot. He is released after the battle of Karbala on Yazid's orders. Mukhtar vows to avenge Husayn's death. Needing allies, he travels to Mecca and meets Ibn Zubayr. Mukhtar helps Ibn Zubayr's brother, Mus'ab, defeat an Umayyad assault; but no alliance is made. Mukhtar returns to Kufa and unites the people now that Ibn Ziyad has returned to Damascus and Kufa is leaderless. Mukhtar expels Ibn Zubayr's appointed governor and takes control of the city. During the next years he kills almost all of Husayn's murderers, including Ibn Ziyad, Umar and Shimr, while battling both Umayyad caliph and Ibn Zubayr's armies. Eventually he is defeated by Mus'ab's army and retreats to his palace in Kufa. After one year, Mukhtar orders his forces to march and break the siege; but only few follow him outside. Mukhtar is killed and Mus'ab surprisingly orders all of Mukhtar's soldiers who have surrendered to be decapitated.

Cast

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Production

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The series, which took five years to complete, includes 40 episodes and is produced by Sima Film. The story reviews the events leading to the martyrdom of the Imams and ends with the adolescence of Mukhtar. The film also deals with sixteen years of Mukhtar’s life and includes the death of Muawiyah, the succession of Yazid, and the events leading to Ashura and whatever related to the uprising of Mukhtar until his and his companions’ martyrdom.[2]

Music

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The soundtrack for Mokhtarnameh was made by Amir Tavassoli with a choir. It was sung by Akbar Soltanali and recorded, mixed, and mastered by Ramin Mazaheri in Baran Studio.

Track listing

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Mokhtar Nameh
Soundtrack album by
Amir Tavassoli
Released2012
GenreInternational
Length45:05
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Opening"Amir Tavassoli03:35
2."Yalasarat"Tavassoli02:21
3."Mix"Tavassoli18:04
4."The Martyrdom of Umreh"Tavassoli02:10
5."Muslim ibn Aqeel Theme"Tavassoli03:18
6."The Wheat Harvester"Tavassoli02:13
7."Ashura"Tavassoli02:09
8."Labbaik"Tavassoli02:03
9."Mokhtar Theme"Tavassoli00:34
10."Martyrdom of Mokhtar"Tavassoli02:08
11."Mokhtar Narratives"Tavassoli02:31
12."War"Tavassoli02:12
13."Ode Lullaby Ali-e Asghar"Tavassoli01:52
14."Ending"Tavassoli03:46

Adaptations and Broadcast

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Country Language Title Television channel Reference
Bangladesh Bengali কারবালা কাহিনী SA TV [3]
Pakistan Urdu مختار نامہ Sahar Urdhu [4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mehrnews
  2. ^ Mokhtarnameh is the sixth TV series directed by Mirbagheri.
  3. ^ "এবার আসছে আবেগ মেশানো ড্রামা সিরিয়াল 'কারবালা'".
  4. ^ "Sahar Urdu TV to air "Mokhtarnameh"". 6 November 2012.
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