An interview with Ali Tatari in the 2nd Oral History Conference
Ali Tatari
Interviewer: Maliheh Kamaledin
Translated by: Mohammad Karimi
Ali Tatari is the oral history expert of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) Library and Documents Center and also the director of “Oral History Project of Majlis”. He has done his first interview with “Mohammad Afrasyabi” one of the old personnel of Senate, National Assembly and Islamic Assembly.
We had and interview with him during the 2nd Oral History Conference on 29-30th Sep. 2010:
When did the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) Library and Documents Center enter Oral History as a consideration?
In 2009 I delivered the proposal along with the regulations and goals to Dr, Jafarian. After some session of discussion he approved a unit under the title of Oral History should be established in Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) Library and Documents Center.
What was the aim of this unit?
Since we produce documents, we believe that we should scientifically pursue oral history in Majlis; this is our main job and we consider parliament members, managers and the staff as our target.
What is you future program?
We are about to find parliament members (PMs) of different periods; generally speaking, from 1906 up to now we have had 32 parliaments that 24 of them go back before the revolution and rest are Islamic republic parliaments. Our priority is the 1st Majlis after the revolution: because we may lose some PMs because of old age. We have prepared a list of all PMs of Islamic Republic and have found their addresses and information as much as we could. We are going to gather these people’s documents and scan them. Then, we will publish the brochure and abstract of their interview in separated books.
What is your approach toward Oral History in Iran?
There is no academic background for this field in Iran; however, it is about two years that it being noted more; and it is a good sign of progress.
In what subjects do you think more work can be done in oral history?
I think indexing in oral history need care. We have 60 projects and 15 of them is about to be published. I will explain it later more.
How many PMs have been interviewed up to now?
I think we have interviewed with less than 10 PMs. We are trying to proceed faster. We have talked to three people in this regard. Abbas Mirzaee, PM of Teheran during the last three pre revolution parliaments; Mohammad Afrasyabi, one of the Senate managers, and Sirus Izadi who died two or three days after the interview on Fetr celebrations. He was a writer and left oriented. He was not a PM but had good information to narrate. Considering these problems, the job is a hard one and needs speed.
We are trying to spread our interviews and bring the parliament staff to list of interviewees; because these interviews sometimes alights some dark aspects of Iranian Parliament history.
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With wet saliva, we are having the lunch which that loving Isfahani man gave us from the back of his van when he said goodbye in the city entrance. Adaspolo [lentils with rice] with yoghurt! We were just started having it when the plane dives, we go down and shelter behind the runnel, and a few moments later, when the plane raises up, we also raise our heads, and while eating, we see the high sides ...The Arab People Committee
Another event that happened in Khuzestan Province and I followed up was the Arab People Committee. One day, we were informed that the Arabs had set up a committee special for themselves. At that time, I had less information about the Arab People , but knew well that dividing the people into Arab and non-Arab was a harmful measure.Kak-e Khak
The book “Kak-e Khak” is the narration of Mohammad Reza Ahmadi (Haj Habib), a commander in Kurdistan fronts. It has been published by Sarv-e Sorkh Publications in 500 copies in spring of 1400 (2022) and in 574 pages. Fatemeh Ghanbari has edited the book and the interview was conducted with the cooperation of Hossein Zahmatkesh.Is oral history the words of people who have not been seen?
Some are of the view that oral history is useful because it is the words of people who have not been seen. It is meant by people who have not been seen, those who have not had any title or position. If we look at oral history from this point of view, it will be objected why the oral memories of famous people such as revolutionary leaders or war commanders are compiled.
