Köroğlu and Bald Hamzeh

The story “Koroghlu and Bald Hamza” is one of the stories by “Samed Behrangi,” which was published in the summer of 1968. This work was written under the influence of the heroic tales of Koroghlu, related to the era of Shah Abbas. The character of Koroghlu in the story “Koroghlu and Bald Hamza” is fond of music and singing, and with his instrument, he attends wedding ceremonies and celebrations. This character reflects a period of Iranian history when the epic figures of Azerbaijan emerged from the music and sorrow of lovers and were based on real-life heroes and social events. “Samed Behrangi,” the Turkish-speaking Iranian writer, has said about this story: “What is discussed in the story clearly shows that the story of Koroghlu is indeed based on the social and political events of the time and especially inspired by the uprising of Jalali rebels. The names of cities, villages, rivers, and mountains mentioned in the story each relate in some way to the land and rebellion of the Jalali. Every part of the Koroghlu epic speaks of freedom, struggle, friendship, humanity, and equality. Alas, there is no opportunity to recount all of it here. Let me say this too: the story of Koroghlu is also one of the best and strongest examples of Azerbaijani poetry and prose. So far, 17 sections of it have been collected and published, making it one of the best-selling books written in Azerbaijani in Azerbaijan.”