On Nowruz 1398, the famous Iranian singer Aref, whose song 'Sultan-e Ghalbha' is known beyond the geographical borders of Iran, for the first time in four decades, sang alongside the lyricist of 'Sultan-e Ghalbha', Mohammad Ali Shirazi, during the eighth program of Radio Farda's Nowruz broadcast in Tehran. The result of this collaboration was the revival of a forgotten song by Mohammad Ali Shirazi, 'Didar Akhar', with music by Niki Ma'navi, the former wife of Farid Zalandeh. Aref presented this song with a new arrangement for the first time to Radio Farda, aiming to remove the dust of forgetfulness from one of the enjoyable songs and collaborations of these two artists over the past 50 years. This collaboration also revisited the memories of the song 'Sultan-e Ghalbha' alongside contemporary discussions. Mohammad Ali Shirazi referred to his long-standing friendship with Anoushiravan Rouhani, mentioning a small conflict that occurred between Iraj (the singer) and Mohammad Ali Fardin, the director of 'Sultan-e Ghalbha'. Shirazi stated that this issue led them to approach Aref for performing this song, which was different in style and atmosphere from Iraj's works. Aref also praised Anoushiravan Rouhani's expertise in writing and creating simple musical atmospheres that gave a unique quality to his works. The program also touched upon the social song 'Hame Ja Gham', an awakening song featured in the film 'Toghrul', directed by Siamak Yasemi and performed by Saeed Rad, adorned with Aref's voice. According to Aref, 'Toghrul' came and went, and later the song, accompanied by the beautiful music of Homayoun Khorram, turned into a protest song against the Pahlavi regime. The song 'Hame Ja Gham' was banned by the then Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Aref noted that it is interesting that this song resonates closely with the current atmosphere as they speak. Mohammad Ali Shirazi confirmed Aref's words, stating that at that time, many songs could not receive permission from the Poetry and Song Council of the National Radio and Television of Iran, so he would note them down to write them at the appropriate time. He referred to writing songs like 'Zandoni' and 'Shikara'. Shirazi emphasized the current atmosphere, saying, 'We have a duty to say the things that need to be said. Unfortunately, there are so many obstacles that even if something is performed, it is done clumsily.'
The Last Meeting of Aref and Mohammad Ali Shirazi Fifty Years Later
Aref and Mohammad Ali Shirazi reunited after fifty years to perform the forgotten song 'Didar Akhar' during a Nowruz broadcast on Radio Farda. This collaboration highlights the enduring legacy of their past work and reflects on the current socio-political climate in Iran. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by artists under the regime.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Aref and Mohammad Ali Shirazi reunited after fifty years to perform the forgotten song 'Didar Akhar' during a Nowruz broadcast on Radio Farda, reflecting on their past collaborations and the current socio-political climate in Iran.
- The performance marked the first collaboration between Aref and Shirazi in four decades.
- The song 'Hame Ja Gham', which became a protest song against the Pahlavi regime, was also discussed, highlighting the ongoing relevance of music in political discourse.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iranian music has historically been a vehicle for both entertainment and political expression, often facing censorship from the government.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%