The passing of Najaf Daryabandari heralds the end of an era. Daryabandari was a Renaissance man. As a farsi translator, he single handedly transformed a craft and paved the way for Iranians to connect to the outside world through his command of every subject he translated. Najaf Daryabandari translated the most sophisticated philosophers as if he himself was the author. He delved deep into the world of top novelists with such literary dexterity and agility that helped his reader in the farsi language to understand the psychology and inner struggles of the original authors. With his eloquence and layered sense of humour, Najaf Daryabandari produced work that engaged his reader, stimulated them to rethink their point of view and encouraged them to look beyond words, to find meaning in the spirit that they conveyed.

I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Daryabandari personally. He was among my father’s circle of friends. From a very early age, even before I had read anything by him, I would observe him to be the life of every party or hiking excursion among a group of top Iranian artists, intellectuals, polemicists, technocrats and politicians. He spoke little and when he did, his observations were incisive, precise and thought provoking. As an adolescent, often times the only one mingling among my father’s friends, I was absorbed first and foremost by Najaf’s sense of humour. His anecdotes were something to look forward to no matter how many times he would repeat them, many a time at the request of someone in the small group of old friends. It didn’t take long for me to find the courage to engage in conversations with him only to realize later in my life, how he patiently took my questions and possibly shallow remarks, and responded in a way that I could understand without being humiliated. One day I called him to ask if I could visit him “in half an hour”! He generously invited me over although he was sitting at his desk among a mountain of paper. I walked in, sat on his couch and asked; “Mr. Daryabandari, what is the meaning of philosophy”!!

I was an avid reader from a very early age and when I learned who he really was, I began to read his translations as well as the original text in English. I was introduced to most if not all of the great American writers by him. Some, he had translated and others, he would recommend that I read. Najaf Daryabandari was so prolific that he had translated for a second time, some of his earlier work such as Hemingway’s The Old Man And The Sea! I was a fly on the wall observer of his explanations to other prominent authors, his process and why he had decided to revisit the work he had translated before. His command of the English language was something to behold. Most importantly was his modesty and constant yearning to learn and his tireless discipline.

Najaf Daryabandari was a central figure in my life in every stage from early youth to when I began my career as a filmmaker. It was with great trepidation that I invited him to see my first film or read my second film’s script before I made it. His concise, yet astute observations and advice gave me the courage to move forward in my work. I visited him on the way to the airport once to ask him what he would recommend my next film should be and he generously offered a book to me that I read on the plane with tearful eyes. Only if fate would not have torn me away from my country of birth, never to return, there is nothing I would rather do than to make that film and show it to him. I am sorry that I was robbed of that opportunity. I am sorry that I never got to see him again.

A few years ago, I had the privilege to present the lifetime achievement award of the Tirgan festival to him. He was too ill to take the long flight to Toronto and a video message was just too much to ask from the frail old man whose spirit was not in sync with his body. Tirgan was so much richer to have honoured him that year.

The podcast below is my personal tribute to an Iranian for all seasons. Najaf Daryabandari was at the core of Iranian history, always making a difference, always leaving his mark and never relenting even in old age. I am confident that his legacy shall live on among every Iranian who yearns to read and understand the world.

Babak Payami – May 4, 2020