Rustam, a valiant warrior hailing from Sistan, Iran, is a central figure in ancient Persian texts. In the realm of Persian mythology, Rustam's Seven Labours hold great significance. His fourth labour entails a confrontation with a formidable witch.
During this task, Rustam stumbled upon a delectable feast beneath the sheltering branches of a tree, where he began playing the Tanbour. In the course of his melody, he encountered a captivating lady. However, as soon as he commenced a sacred composition known as Tarze Rustam or Rustam's Maqam on the Tanbour, the enchanting lady transformed into a malevolent witch. Unable to endure the sacred resonance of the Tanbour and Rustam's Maqam, she underwent this ominous metamorphosis.
The subsequent piece is a rendition of this ancient mode—the Rustam's Maqam or Tarze Rustam.