TEHRAN – “Selection of Practical Radifs in Iran’s National Music”, a new book by tar virtuoso Keivan Saket, was unveiled during a ceremony held at Tehran’s Arasbaran Cultural Center.

The total collection of more than 200 gushehs -- traditional melodic modes -- in all 12 dastgahs is known as the radif.

Musicians Mohammad Sarir, Ali-Akbar Shekarchi and Milad Kiai were among the participating guests at the ceremony.

A music video screening part of the book and how to make use of its different parts was screened for the participants.

Sarir in his short speech called radif the most precious cultural and intangible heritage, and said that it is the duty of every individual to preserve and transfer this heritage to the next generation.

“Keivan Saket’s music and teaching is significant in its kind since his language is more comprehensible,” Sarir said. 

Shekarchi called such art activities on the history of Iran necessary.

“Only an individual who brings innovation can remain eternal in history and surely Keivan Saket is the one,” Kiai said on his part.

Hooman Asadi also talked about radif in the Iranian music and its complexity.

Saket was last to speak and ended the program by reciting a poem composed by his father.

Veteran calligrapher Gholamhossein Amirkhani also handed a tableau to the musician bearing the calligraphy he inscribed of poetry by the father of Keivan Saket. 

RM/YAW