Iran and Kurdistan

 

Al compás del mundo is a multi-cultural radio program on streaming platform Radioactiva.TX out of Tequisquiapan, Mexico. And when I say “multi-cultural” I mean what I say! In the program’s Spanish language intro I point out “You never know what you’re going to hear.” In an effort to feature something different every week, past programs include music from Colombia, Black and White blues, psychedelia, jazz and complements, bluegrass-folk, 1950’s rock ‘n roll, the music of French speakers, South and North Africa, Cuba, Eastern Europe, New Orleans sounds, Latin American protest music, the British rock invasion, Palestinian and Arab music, and much etc. When I don’t focus on a particular region or style, I will throw out a potpourri of everything under the sun. In short, eclectic is the byword. 

List for show #209, 11-27-25 - Iran and Kurdistan

Today’s program will present an hour’s worth of the music of Iran (Persia and Iran are synonymous and each has ancient historic roots.) I am also introducing examples from the Kurdish people, living in Iran and other nearby adjacent regions. They are, nationally, Iranians, but speak a language largely distinct from Persian (Farsi) and are dissimilar in cultural practices. Musically, one needs to pay attention to note the distinctions and identifiers, though I think it is safe to say that generally, the Kurds have held on more firmly to rural folk traditions, while Iranians appear to embrace urban classical styles with greater frequency. You’re going to hear similar instrumentation from both, such as the tanbur and kamancheh – plucked or bowed string instruments, the santur or hammered dulcimer, the nai flute, a double-reed “oboe” called zirne, and a variety of drums and percussion devices. 

01 Rastak - Kamarey (Iran)

02 anónimo de Khorasan - Yar Ghoochani (Iran)

03 Baran Şoreş - Potpori Lo Lo Kuro y Kavir (Kurdistan)

04 Sarang Seyfizadeh - صنم (Kurdistan)

05 anónimo - Santur (Iran)

06 anónimo - Dorna (Iran)

07 Mohsen Karbassi - Ghesehaye majid (Iran)

08 Rojin - Heybenin (Kurdistan)

09 Mohammed Eghbal - Ney (flauta) (Iran)

10 Selahattin Demirtaş Söylüyor - Sallana Sallana (Kurdistan)

11 anónimo - روه موسیقی مقامی هرای قوچان (Iran)

12 anónimo - Melvari (Iran)

13 Gelooband - Erfan Tahmasbi (Iran)

It’s been said that music can be a window to the soul. It is this programmer’s hope that the beauty abundant in today’s playlist can counteract the negative connotations 21st Century politics has created for those of us in the West.