Iranian of the Day

new fresh sound!

We have something in common - my husband's name is Reza, too. We have been together since 1977 and yet I have never met his family; nor have they met our sons. Your music is just beautiful - the kind that stays with you. Keep up the good work.

great job Monika that's the way it should be

Monika you seem Baha'i ... are you Baha'i?

Monika, I am Persian but I

Monika, I am Persian but I cannot speak the language properly. If I can speak it half as good as you, I will be delighted and if I can sing one percent as good as you, I will become a musician. Keep up the good work. You are fantastic

Monika Jalili

I understand that many beautiful music is made when different instrument and ideas are brought together. But like Homa Assar said this does not sound very nice. I don't want to hurt feeling but without having the quarter tone you cant make the most important tones of Shur. I am sure Monika has beautiful heart but I think if she works on singing proper quarter tone outside of European scale it will be very nice. I think the accent is ok for me. But I think she should play the music she wants to play. I am sure many people love to hear what she is doing.

Playing Persian music western style

We must understand that Classical Persian music we hear today is new and has many influence from west. The Shah before Pahlavi era wanted Persia to have band because he heard European orchestra. Persian music had tradition of learning Radif by ear from Master to student. Now most use western method of notation. There are beautiful recordings from 1930's of music from Persia. But modern Persian classical music has oud, and many tonbak player study technique of Indian tabla to improve style.

Persian music has distinct sound from special interval of dastgah. This makes sound very Persian. But still great Master like Ostad Meshkatian use western notation to create some of the most beautiful music on Earth. The great kamancheh players all have added a 4th string to have range of western violin.

I love Dariush and I consider him a great Persian artist playing Persian music. But there was great influence from west on his music. I guess many people said at the time he should just use tombak and tar. But he created new form of music with western instruments and new poetry.

music today

These days most music has influence from other cultures. Master Mahjoobi played Persian music on piano with quater tone and made very beautiful music. Ostad Saba developed a new adaptation of Persian violin to European violin and was very popular in Persia. Even Kurdish daf is now common in Persian ensemble. So what we think is traditional music is really a combination of new ideas. The Pish daramad is a very new form of Persian music borrowed from Western music. To say one is more interesting than the other can be confusing.

Some of the most important music is from fusion of culture. The Beatles music was created from British youth who learned how to play Blues from Black American artists and changed music forever. Elvis did the same years before.

Where would blues be without European guitar ? Where would Persian music be without European notation ? It is taught at Tehran University and music Conservatory.

We all should be proud of each other. From Googoosh using electric guitar to George Harrison playing Indian sitar.

Monika Jalili

Dear Homa, to answer your question as what is the point, the point is recognizing her efforts in introducing Persian traditional and folklore music to non Persian audiences. That is what Monika has been able to successfully do. Which Persian vocalist has been able to give history of the songs and their meaning to non Persian audiences in the past? If we believe that we have beautiful and unique music we need to allow it to be appreciated and enjoyed by all people beyond just Iranian nationality.

singing iranian songs western-style

I am not trying to judge her singing talents. That is not the issue. the issue is what it the point of doing this?
Iranian music is sentimental and much more interesting than Western music. With its quarter tones, Iranian music has a much wider range. I find this totally unappealing and pointless, not to mention the accent, which i find just as unappealing. Sorry but this doesn't work. You should be proud of your heritage, not to try to adapt it to the West to make it interesting.

Keep up the good work Monika

You are painting a positive picture for a country and a region that poeple via media don't hear a whole lot of good things about. I wish your continued success.

Monika We Love You

The first time I heard you it was during the church concert and later on Youtube. I love your voice and your sweet accent.
It takes courage and determination to learn a not-so-common language and even pronounce with little accent. I think Iran's regime will allow a concert by an American lady married to an Iranian man specially if the songs are Persian folk classics. You can also have concerts in Dubai, UAE for thousands of Dubai Iranian residents and Iranians who may fly to Dubai for concert.

Thanks

Thanks for sharing this video with us. It is nice to see someone sing in Persian.

Javad

Welcome to Iran

We hope she can come to Iran.  There many women singers who perform in Iran.  Mrs. Pari Zanghaneh was in Tehran a couple of months ago and her concert was sold out.

I am happy to see another person enjoying Persian music and singing in Persian.

Dr. Mohammad Ala is Professor of Business and a Board member of www.iran-heritage.org, www.iranalliance.org, and www.persiangulfonline.org

Raha

Raha is back @ the office!!! rafte bood soed hahahahahah

Noorsaaz rocks!

What a great interview! I have a Noorsaaz CD and it's our favorite Persian music, especially at Nowruz. Monika's music is so fresh-sounding. I find it more accessible that much Persian classical music and much more stimulating than the well-worn 1960s/70s songs.

Great job

Another great job by Bebin TV. dame hamatoon garm.