MesoNight 2025: A Marriage Proposal - DalibOta

A Marriage Proposal - DalibOta
Written by: Edison Ebrahimi

“A Marriage Proposal” (that may also be referred to as asking a girl’s parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage) is indeed part two of the previous work, “The Eloping” that came on the stage on 11th Annual Mesopotamian Night in San Jose in 2019. Both of these traditions have a long history in our Assyrian culture and communities for young couples to start their families. Each of these two traditions however, are subject to certain situations in order for them to occur.

Although the marriage proposal is a time-honored tradition where families on both sides support the marriage of their children, the eloping often happens when the couples do not have their families’ consent and blessing. Although it is well understood that it would be either “the marriage proposal” or “the eloping” resulting in a marriage, in the case of this sequel however, Edison has masterfully crafted them both into a two- part production. After eloping, the families on both sides have finally accepted the young couple’s decision and are planning a formal ceremony for the marriage proposal.

This work exquisitely portrays both of these traditions using fascinating poetry and simple vocabulary of our vernacular language as spoken in the plain of Urmia. The continuity of the thought, well rhyming lines and verses, and cohesiveness of the material are testaments to Edison’s passion for our mother language and for his artistic creativity. Appropriate usage of expressions and the old sayings adds to the richness of the content. In addition to these technically well- crafted attributes, the skillful incorporation of human qualities inthe body of work has added yet another undeniably extraordinary dimension to this outstanding production.

Ashur and Ashurina are the couple who have eloped in part one. In this seemingly tradition-dominated two-part work, a cultural transformation driven by environmental influences has skillfully been incorporated in the play. Among the characters representing a wide variety of unique personalities, the majority are constrained by the traditional status quo, except one who courageously has broken away from the crowd. This character is Suriya, Ashur’s aunt who was in love with Yosip, Ashurina’s father before they each had married other individuals. Suriya had left the village and lived in Europe. She was back in the village for a visit, coincidentally when Ashur and Ashurina had just eloped. In the face of animosity from Ashurina’s family for her eloping, and in supporting Ashurina’s decision, Suriya publicly addresses Yosip in the village square by revealing their past feelings for each other and the fact that although materially she was well off at that present time, but she still suffered the void for the man of her dreams in her life. She articulated that if they had married each other despite the disapproval of their families, she would have been happier in her life.

In part two Suriya represents another instance of cultural transformation by giving gifts to Ashurina on her engagement day that are all non-material. Instead, Suriya offers Ashurina many symbolic and metaphoric gifts that convey well wishes for peace, love, compassion, trust, and mutual understanding in matrimonial union.

In addition to the main string of the events, there are many tangential events in the making as the play develops. As such one can conveniently recognize negotiations, consensus building, persuasive influencing, to name a few.

I congratulate Edison for yet another extraordinary folkloric and literary composition in our beloved mother language. The flow, the simplicity, the careful choice of vocabulary, the eloquent storytelling, and the thought-provoking content make this composition a master piece.

I also recognize and value the folkloric and joyous relevance of the music composed by our musical icon, an accomplished pianist, Christian music song writer, Christian music and classical music composer, the Reverend Pastor Samuel Khangaldy. Without this remarkable music by Pastor Samuel, justice would not have been done for Edison’s great lyrics.

This theatrical and musical performance will certainly be remembered by all who see it and will stay alive for generations to come as a document on our Assyrian identity, our language, our music, and our traditions collectively.

Marcel Josephson.

CAST
Steve Yahyabak - Kokha
Johnson Stepans (Sargis) - Groom's Father
Anita Rameshk (Sopya) - Groom's Mother
Beldanin Aslani (Ashur) - Groom
Beneta Rameshk (Suriya) - Groom's Aunt
Christine Ebrahimi (Shamiram) - Groom's Cousin
Willard Danilo (Yousip) - Bride's Father
Rosana Eyvaznejad (Rabgha) - Bride's Mother
Odil Finkle (Ashorina) - Bride
Joseph Davoud (Sargon) - Bride's Brother
Sharosina Chamaki (Shalem) - Bride's Aunt
Anoble Eisho (Khawa) - Neighbor/Friend
Ninev Nissan - Neighbor/Friend
Peter Isaac - Neighbor/Friend

0:00 Start
0:12 Intro
3:00 Part 1
13:30 Part 2