Ramin Kakavand

Life and education

Ramin Kakavand was born in 1968 in Sahneh, one of the major centres of the culture and ritual music of the Yarsan (the Ahl-e Haqq, followers of a mystical faith of western Iran). From his teenage years he became familiar with the music of the regions of western Iran and with the melodies of the tanbur, and he later continued his academic training with great masters of Iranian music.

He studied with masters such as Houshang Zarif, Hossein Alizadeh, Farhad Fakhreddini, Mohammad Reza Darvishi, Razavi Sarvestani, Sadigh Tarif, Seyed Amrollah Shahebrahimi, Darvish Amir Hayati and Seyed Khalil Alinejad.

His first official appearance in music dates back to 1991, when he worked on the music for the TV series Ruz-o Ruzegari (“Once Upon a Time”).

In 1998 he founded the Arghanun Ensemble with Hesameddin Seraj, which left lasting works in Iran’s mystical music.

Works and albums

As singer, composer and instrumentalist, Ramin Kakavand has so far released numerous albums, including:

• Khomkhaneh (“The Wine Cellar”), as composer and singer

• Bang-e Ahurai (“The Divine Call”), as composer and singer

• Roya-ye Vasl (“The Dream of Union”)

• Ghesseh-ye Gisu (“The Tale of the Tresses”)

• Bu-ye Behesht (“The Scent of Paradise”)

• Shur-o Masti (“Passion and Rapture”)

• Eshgh-o Masti (“Love and Rapture”)

Style and standing

Ramin Kakavand’s works build a bridge between Iran’s dastgah music (the classical system of modes) and the ritual melodies of western Iran. In his work the tanbur plays a central role, not only as an accompanying instrument but as a language of spiritual and mystical expression.

He is regarded as one of the leading figures of the generation after Seyed Khalil Alinejad, continuing the path of uniting traditional and mystical music.