"People of the Flame" by David Adams

David Adams

Over the last 17 years, David Adams has developed his reputation both through his reporting and the numerous documentary films that he has written, directed and produced. He is best known for his investigative work, particularly Journeys to the Ends of the Earth, a 13 part documentary series made for the Discovery Network. His passion for anthropology, archeology, history and diverse cultures continues to take him to some of the world's most remote locations - including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Siberia, Central Asia, Central Africa and the Pacific Rim in search of indigenous peoples and their disappearing cultures.

In addition to his adventures in documentary filmmaking, David is a widely published photojournalist with articles appearing in over fifty countries. David has also acted as a war correspondent in Afghanistan and Georgia and has had a long-term association with The Sydney Morning Herald, as well as other popular Australian periodicals and television networks including the ABC. After a secondary education at The Kings School in Sydney, Australia, David gained a grounding in marketing, promotion and advertising. His varied and unique experience continues to take David into new realms and he is currently developing his first feature film. (From DAVID ADAMS FILMS)

In People of the Flame,  David Adams trav­els the Ira­ni­an wilder­ness in search of the Zoroas­tri­ans, an an­cient peo­ple who have tend­ed a holy flame for the last 1500 years.

LES ZOURHAEH by Charies Brabant (French)

Varzesh-e-Bastani (ancient sport):

A rigorous and comprehensive physical exercise session of 60 to 90 minutes, consisting of different kinds of physical activities appropriate for the homogeneous age groups of 16 to 60-70 year old. These exercises were practiced under special customs and rituals established over hundreds of years. Each session of Varzesh-e-Bastani comprises: 1-Warming up, 2- main body of physical exercises, and 3-warming down.

 

Morshed:

Is an experienced Bastanikar who, at the same time, is a well-educated man who also has some talents in music. He is especially competent in providing the different rhythms that are needed for directing the various exercises of a Varzesh-e-Bastani practice session. He does this job by chanting the epic poems and coupletsand by playing the Zarb and Zang (see below) that he has at hand. Some times there are two Morsheds who in harmony with each other direct the practice session. (From Zoorkhaneh and Varzesh-E-Bastani By Ali Mohamad Amirtash)