Ranji Tehrani

Ranji Tehrani, Hadi Pishraft (1907-1960), son of Mahdi. A poet hailing from Tehran who used the nom de plume Ranji. He was sent to a traditional primary school for six months where he learned to read and write. He was still a child that he had to shoulder the responsibilities of life and had to work manual jobs to earn a living for his family, hence his nom de plume ‘Ranji’ (Laborer). He embarked upon his poetical career at the age of 12 by composing eulogies and elegies for the Shi’i Imams. He learned the arts of poetry from some poets and belletrists. He had perfect mastery of composing ghazals. Following the style of Sa’ib (the Indian Style), he used delicate themes in a lucid and fluent diction in poetical forms. From among classical poets, he above all loved Hafiz and Sa’ib. He died in Tehran and was buried in Ibn Babiwayh Cemetery. His published Divan runs to about 3,000 couplets.

Asar-afarinan (3/ 128); Sukhanvaran-i Nami-yi Mu’asir (3/ 1576-1583).