I Was Dead — Rumi Persian Calligraphy Dance Canvas

Created as meaningful Persian wall art, I Was Dead brings a graceful sense of movement together with flowing Persian calligraphy into a modern setting. Its balanced contemporary palette gives the artwork enough presence to anchor a room while leaving space for the poetry, symbolism, and personal associations to remain central.

Poetry and Meaning

I Was Dead quotes the opening of one of Rumi's most joyful ghazals (Divan-e Shams, Ghazal 1393): I was dead and came alive; I was tears and became laughter; the fortune of love arrived and I became lasting fortune myself. “You are not mad enough for this house,” love told him — so he went and became mad, and was bound in its chains. The dancing figure turns the words into movement.

مرده بدم زنده شدم گریه بدم خنده شدم
دولت عشق آمد و من دولت پاینده شدم
گفت که دیوانه نه‌ای لایق این خانه نه‌ای

English translation:
I was dead, I came alive; I was weeping, I became laughter;
the fortune of love arrived, and I became everlasting fortune.
It said: you are not mad, you are not worthy of this house —
so I went and became mad, and was bound in chains. — Rumi, Divan-e Shams, Ghazal 1393

Designed for Meaningful Spaces

I Was Dead is well suited to a home, office, hospitality setting, creative studio, or meaningful gift display. Its balanced contemporary palette works with calm interiors that benefit from a culturally meaningful focal point, and its cultural focus makes it a thoughtful gift for a wedding, housewarming, Nowruz, birthday, or anyone connected to Persian art.

Canvas Details

• Gallery-wrapped, made-to-order canvas
• Printed with fade-resistant, water-based HP Latex inks
• Professionally stretched over a durable wooden support frame
• Canvas depth is selected for the ordered size and may be 0.75, 1.25, or 1.5 inches
• Ready to hang with mounting hardware included
• Available in multiple sizes

Looking for a different size, color palette, poem, or personalized version? Contact ORIAVI to discuss a custom order.