R Etemadi, also known as Mehdi Etemadi, was born in Lar, Iran, in 1934. Mehdi Etemadi was a renowned writer, journalist, and poet in contemporary Iran. He was the founder and editor of “Javanan”, the first magazine geared towards Iranian youth. Known by many as the “Master of Love”, Mehdi Etemadi was also famous for his best-selling romance novels. He was a proud advocate for a free Iran, passionate about politics and Iranian history.
Many Iranians, including those in the diaspora, see Mehdi Etemadi as a prominent public figure– but to me, he was known as “Baba Mehdi”. My grandfather passed away in Tehran, Iran on July 21, 2023, at 89 years old.
Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, many Iranian artists faced deadly consequences for publishing or creating work that went against the Islamic Republic’s views– a government which, in my opinion, does not represent Islam. Luckily, my grandfather did not face such consequences, but was instead faced with harsh censorship and banned from publishing novels for around a decade.
After his passing, I saw Iranians online, both within Iran and in the diaspora, debating his life’s work. Some even went so far as to claim that, before the Islamic Republic took power, my grandfather was contributing to the Shah of Iran’s internal efforts to “contaminate” the minds of Iranian youth with his romance novels. While most people would be offended by statements like this being made about their family member– I honestly felt even prouder of my grandfather.
Especially with recent protests in Iran and around the world led mainly by Iranian youth, I am proud to know that my grandfather was always supportive of this movement. Even from the beginning of his career when he founded the first magazine catered towards Iranian youth, it is clear he believed deeply in the young generation of Iran. He was unwilling to water down his art to satisfy those who were attempting to censor him, and I believe this legacy will continue in the hearts and minds of Iranian youth, who are currently fighting their hardest to achieve a free Iran.
(all opinions expressed by guest contributors are theirs and not necessarily reflective of views of MyLLife)
