Today in Music: On Thursday, December 6, 2014, renowned Iranian conductor and composer living in Vienna, Ali Rahbari, wrote a letter to traditional music master Hossein Alizadeh congratulating him on receiving the title of Knight. He noted that the French grant this title to any artist, and many prominent cultural figures in France have refused to accept it. According to ILNA news agency, Ali Rahbari advised Alizadeh not to accept this honor. In the letter, he stated: "It is completely illogical and unbelievable for me that a singer in Iran is called 'Knight of Iranian Song,' as this title contradicts and is entirely incompatible with the authenticity of Iranian music. In any case, I cannot imagine that Hossein Alizadeh, who is respected by millions of pure-hearted Iranians who appreciate his art, would be referred to as 'Knight of the Tar' by individuals who certainly do not recognize his art." Iranian vocal master Mohammad Reza Shajarian criticized the commercial use of Rumi's name in an interview with a Turkish documentary filmmaker. According to ISNA news agency, Shajarian stated: "Rumi has become an economic symbol in Turkey, and I believe they have plundered our cultural symbols." He added: "They have turned Rumi into a shrine where people read pilgrimage texts, kiss the stairs, kiss the threshold, kiss the carpet, and crawl to seek blessings from Rumi, but do we do such things for Hafez, Saadi, Khayyam, and Attar?" The 74-year-old musician mentioned: "The essence of Rumi's words is to not be a slave. I like that Rumi's poetry promotes strength and does not endorse slavery." Fereydoun Shahbazian, a musician and founder of the Music Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, addressed pop music and its conditions, calling for more attention to youth and this genre of music. According to the Music House website, Shahbazian, speaking at a Music House meeting on Sunday, November 5, referred to the large turnout at the funeral of young pop singer Morteza Pashaei, stating: "We must see why the youth are not with us but attend the funeral." He added: "Why are we neglecting a type of music that is becoming underground music, which everyone avoids, yet it is being disseminated in some form? We see the uproar in satellite networks and virtual networks." He emphasized: "Pop music is both appealing to youth and soothes their rebellious spirit, and we must not forget that opposing it is inappropriate and forces the nature of music underground, which is not suitable for music."
Music News from Iran
Ali Rahbari advises Hossein Alizadeh against accepting the title of Knight, arguing it undermines the authenticity of Iranian music. Mohammad Reza Shajarian criticizes the commercialization of Rumi's legacy, while Fereydoun Shahbazian calls for more attention to pop music and its appeal to youth. These discussions highlight the tension between traditional and contemporary music in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ali Rahbari advised Hossein Alizadeh against accepting a French honor, arguing it undermines Iranian music's authenticity. Meanwhile, Shajarian criticized the commercialization of Rumi's legacy, and Shahbazian called for more attention to pop music's appeal to youth.
- Ali Rahbari's letter highlights concerns over foreign recognition of Iranian artists.
- Shajarian's comments reflect a broader debate about cultural appropriation and commercialization.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a rich musical heritage that faces challenges from both internal censorship and external commercialization. The debate over cultural symbols like Rumi illustrates broader issues of identity.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%