Saqi Dosaj
saqi (sáki / sáa-kee) n. 1. She who serves intoxicating drinks. 2. The Cupbearer,
the Maiden who pours the wine. 3. Wine-bearer, sometimes symbolizing the creative
spirit of God.
Hundreds of years ago, in the olden days of the east, once the queens had retired
to their chambers, the work of the Saqis would begin. Serving the kings drinks and
providing them pleasure, the Saqis were beautiful, sensual women. They were the
inspiration for many Urdu poets who wrote of wine, taverns, and drunkenness. In
their symbolic language of love, "wine" represented the divine love that intoxicates
the soul; "getting drunk" meant losing oneself in that love; the "cup" referred to
one's body and mind; and the Saqi was the grace- bestowing aspect of God that fills
the soul's empty cup with the wine of love.
In Persian mythology she was a muse serving the poets and musicians wine,
but if this album is any indication, it sounds as if this time Saqi has drank from
her own cup of inspiration.
In the build up to her impending 2008 second album and tour, Saqi Dosaj is re-
releasing ‘We the People’, her remarkable debut of spoken word, poetry and
music. Written in 2003 amidst a heated presidential election, this politically
charged recording is full of thought provoking ideas and witty social
commentary. Now that the race for the White House is well and truly under
way, Saqi’s eloquently worded observational style proves as relevant today as it
did its initial impetus.
The recipient of praise over the last five years, ‘We the People’ has become a
success on commercial and student radio stations nationwide. Saqi’s ever
expanding fan base has also benefited hugely from the internet and advocates
of this release admire her fluid poetics and courageous opinions. However,
having spent five years of her childhood trapped in fundamentalist Iran with
her liberal parents, Saqi is no stranger to adversity.
Amidst the Iran/Iraq conflict of the early 1980s Saqi was in constant danger but
by sneaking out and smuggling her violin to secret lessons, in a country where
classical music was forbidden, it shows that even at that early age she was
committed to her own expressive freedom.
A serious part of the National spoken word and poetry scene, Saqi has been
encouragingly likened to the incredible Ani Difranco, but by firmly rooting her
creativity in personal mysticism, Saqi has an organically formed voice which is
truly independent. She says: “I live for the experience of inspiration and the
satisfaction of creative expression, that’s the biggest “high” for me.”
In New York the technical help of Tony Conniff was enlisted to capture the
cathartic nature of Saqi’s poetry on CD. Previously having worked with spoken
word performance artist Alix Olson, Conniff has experience in the field and on
this occasion he was able to produce a set of compositional accompaniments
which sit harmoniously with Saqi’s unique voice and message.
‘We the People’ is available to buy now.
Watch out for Saqi Dosaj’s second album entitled ‘Saqi’ and her tour in 2008.
