Mohammad Shams Langeroodi (born November 17, 1950) is one of the most celebrated contemporary Iranian poet, actor, singer, author and university lecturer.

He has researched extensively on different periods of Persian poetry, most famous of which has resulted in the book named An Analytic History of Persian Modern Poetry in four volumes. He is currently in the process of publishing his second novel.

Life and early works

Shams Langeroodi was born in Langerood, Gilan, Iran as Mohammad Taghi Javaheri Gilani. Later his father changed their last name to Shams.

He published his first poetry book in 1976, but it wasn't until the 1980s that he established himself as one of the major poets of that decade when his poetry gained attention due to its novel imagery and surreal elements.

He currently lives in Tehran, Iran and is also the editor of Ahang-e Digar publications along with Hafez Mousavi and Shahab Mogharabin.

An Analytic History of Persian Modern Poetry

Published in 1998 in four volumes, An Analytic History of Persian Modern Poetry was the first extensive research work done on the contemporary Persian poetry. It starts from 1905 and goes year by year describing the events in Iran's political and social scenes, poetry and criticism conditions, literary magazines and poetry books published each year along with selected reviews including a brief review by the author up until 1979. In order to focus on research Shams Langeroodi did not publish any poetry book for 10 years.

Recent works

In his recent works, Shams Langeroodi has shown interest in a more simplistic approach to language. While imagery still plays a major part, simplicity and sarcasm are the new elements in his work that is engaged with Iran's social condition.

    "We've reached from our hopeless Kafkaesque world to a Don Quixote-sque one."

It includes elements from mythology and religion to pop culture. An example to this is "Poem 36" from Gardener of Hell (2006).

    You are late Moses!
    The miracle era has passed
    Grant your cane to Charlie Chaplin
    So we have some laughs
    

Bibliography

Poetry

    Raftaar-e Teshnegi, 1976
    Dar Mahtaabi-e Donya, 1984
    Khaakestar o Baanoo, 1986
    Jashne Naapeyda, 1988
    Ghasideye Labkhand-e Chaak Chaak, 1990
    Notes For A Wooden Nightingle, 2000
    Fifty Three Lovesongs, 2004
    Gardener of Hell, 2006
    Sailor of the Streets, 2008

Films

    Flamingo Number 13, 2010
    Risk of Acid Rain, 2015
    Life Again, 2018