Farid Elhami, Iranian musician and composer, in an interview with Mehr News Agency, spoke about his latest activities: “A few months ago, I decided—with the passion I have for my field—to experiment with blending the rich musical traditions of different regions of Iran, testing new experiences and observing the results. Before collaborating with the ‘Mystical Music of the East’ ensemble, I had also worked with the ‘Rojna’ group, which was quite different. I hope conditions will allow for a concert with instruments such as Sorna, Dotar, Tanbur, Banjo, and Daf.”

Regarding the Mystical Music of the East ensemble, he explained: “This group was formed with Mohammad Ali Delnavaz, Darshan Anand, and myself. From the very beginning, we started rehearsals. In this setting, the Tanbur from Kurdish modal music, the Banjo from Baluchi Qalandari music (Zahirok), and the Tabla from Indian music form the core elements of the ensemble.”

Elhami, who has collaborated with masters such as Shahram Nazeri, added: “The combination of these three instruments creates a unique sound due to their tonal ranges, devotional perspectives, and musical forms. In fact, the fusion of Qawwali and Kurdish modal music with the accompaniment of the Tabla produces a distinctive sound—perhaps the very blend I had long sought—which this time was realized with the suggestion of my dear friend Reza Salehi. Despite the challenges of distance and busy schedules, with the dedication of the group members we overcame the difficulties and prepared the ensemble for the concert.”

In conclusion, Elhami shared details of the upcoming concert: “The first performance will be held on Thursday, December 12, at the Sura Hall of Hozeh Honari. Following this concert, our provincial tour will begin in various cities, aiming to connect the diverse musical traditions of Iran. The dates of each performance will be announced accordingly.”

Source: Mehr News Agency