Iran's Ministry of Culture Announces Negotiations for Broadcasting Shajarian's Voice on National Radio and Television

Farzad Talebi, the director of the Music Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, stated on Thursday, November 20, that "negotiations are underway at various levels for broadcasting the voice of Master Shajarian on national media." According to ILNA news agency, Mr. Talebi referred to the broadcasting of Mr. Shajarian's voice, one of the most renowned figures in traditional music, on Iran's state radio and television, noting that the policymaker of this media is not the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. He added, "Negotiations are ongoing at various levels, and follow-ups have been made by artists and the Ministry of Guidance in this regard." However, this official from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance stated that other individuals are responsible for the policies of the "national media" and that "they act according to what they deem appropriate and correct," adding, "The expectations of society are another matter that we hope will receive more attention." Mohammad-Reza Shajarian faced difficulties in publishing his works after his stances on the results of the 2009 presidential elections, which led to widespread protests in Iran. Following that, officials from Iran's state radio and television prevented the broadcasting of the famous prayer "Rabbana," which had been aired for years with Mr. Shajarian's voice. Earlier, following Mohammad-Reza Shajarian's return to Iran after undergoing five months of cancer treatment in the United States, his album "Tariq-e Eshq" was unveiled in early October this year at a ceremony in Tehran's Vahdat Hall. This album was produced in collaboration with the "Aref" group and features poetry by Hafez and Rumi, and was staged in Europe in 1989. The composition and arrangement were done by Parviz Meshkatian. The director of the Music Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance mentioned that this office "issued the license for the album 'Tariq-e Eshq' with the voice of Master Shajarian a few months ago, which has so far been one of the best-selling albums in the country." Farzad Talebi commented on Mohammad-Reza Shajarian's health status, stating that he is "on the road to recovery." Ali Jannati, the former Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, stated on September 27 that "following Mohammad-Reza Shajarian's return to Iran, the master's treatment will continue at his home." According to him, "with the help of the Minister of Health, medical equipment has been installed in his home for treatment there." On the other hand, Fereydoun Shahbazian, the conductor of the National Orchestra, announced on Thursday the upcoming concert of this orchestra featuring old works of Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, sung by Homayoun Shajarian. According to Mehr News Agency, Mr. Shahbazian expressed regret that he could not perform due to illness, as his most significant works in the past years were with Mohammad-Reza Shajarian. The conductor of the National Orchestra noted that he has decided to invite Homayoun Shajarian, the son of Mr. Shajarian, to perform his father's works in the national concert. According to Fereydoun Shahbazian, this will be the first performance of the National Orchestra under his management featuring the works of Mohammad-Reza Shajarian and the voice of Homayoun Shajarian.