the Islamic era. A common theme is the epic tragedy of Siavash in Shahnameh of Ferdowsi. In Persian tradition, Ta'zieh and Parde-Khani are inspired by historical and religious events, and symbolize epic spirit and resistance. The common theme is hero tales of love, sacrifice, and resistance against evil. Ta'zieh resembles the European opera in many respects. Kheimeh shab bazi Kheimeh-shab-bazi is the Persian traditional marionette puppetry which is performed in a small chambered tent. The tent is open from one side only and there are two people involved in the performance: a musical performer and a person telling the story (called a morshed). The dialogue is between morshed and the puppets. The method of performance, its characters and the techniques used in writing the puppet show make it unique and distinguish it from other types of puppetry. A newer genre of Iranian puppetry, Shah Salim Bazi emerged during Qajar era. Puppetry is still very common in contemporary Iran. Siah-bazi, and ru howzi Siah-bazi, also known as siyah-bazi is a type of Iranian folk performing art that features a blackface, mischievous and forthright harlequin that does improvisations to stir laughter. The term siah-bazi literally translates to "playing black" and is a sketch in which two men dressed in red turbans, one has black face paint and they engage in a verbal duel which is often witty, political in nature and humorous. The character with the black face takes on a clown-like role and tries to disgrace the master. Outwardly the master appears to be a respectable person but underneath he is immoral and not to be respected. The blackface character is portrayed as a carnivalesque underdog of the working class and the audience can empathize with their struggle through humor. Siah-bazi has been compared to American minstrel theater and has similar controversy. Ru Howzi is an improvised comical theatre act on domestic life. It is similar to the Turkish folk theater , and they are possibly historically linked. Ru Howzi has no written texts and is practiced through rehearsals and oral traditions and as a result each troupe may have unique features to the performance. The performances often involve shtick comic routines mimicking other languages/dialects, and physical or visual humor. Siah-bazi and ru howzi both have a blackface clown character and involve lewd jokes, but ru howzi is a social theatre that satirizes domestic life and is often performed at private