Aede of the Ocean and Land: A Play in Seven Acts

Noor (Noor-un-Nisa) Inayat Khan (1914-1944) is widely remembered as a hero and martyr of the Second World War. Some of those who honor her memory are aware that before the war she wrote stories for children. Until now, however, Noor's mystical drama "Aède of the Ocean and Land" has remained virtually unknown. A fantastical creation, "Aède" shines a revealing light on Noor's life and thought, reflecting her unique assimilation of the spiritual teachings of her father, Hazrat Inayat Khan. In "Aède," Noor combines elements of Greek myth, Sufi esotericism, and personal experience to produce a gripping and surprising retelling of the "Odyssey" of Homer. The protagonist wrestles with monsters, colloquizes with nymphs, and sails the Mediterranean in search of home. Will Ulys reattain domestic bliss in Ithaca or does another destiny await him?