An interview with Pari Maleki , Head of the Khonya Group
and Avaz Instructor
Hamshahri Daily , Tuesday 31 July, 2001
............................................................................................
When did you obtain the permit necessary to be able to
perform?
I applied for the permit in 1995 and in my first performance, with the
ministry's permit, pianist Ms. Javaheri and Tonbak player Ms. Narguess Torshizi
accompanied me. I founded Khonya after that.
Why did you choose Khonya as the name of your group?
Khonya is an ancient word. It means song and tune. We come
across this word in our mythology as well . I think it is an appropirate name
for a musical group.
An interview with Pari Maleki , Head of the Khonya Group
and Avaz Instructor
Hamshahri Daily , Tuesday 31 July, 2001
When did you obtain the permit necessary to be able
to perform?
I applied for the permit in 1995 and in my first
performance, with the ministry's permit, pianist Ms. Javaheri and Tonbak player
Ms. Narguess Torshizi accompanied me. I founded Khonya after that.
Why did you choose Khonya as the name of your group?
Khonya is an ancient word. It means song and tune. We come
across this word in our mythology as well . I think it is an appropirate name
for a musical group.
How was your performance recieved in the first few
years of your activity and has it grown since then?
All of my concerts have been revieved well and i think one
major reason has been the attendance of my students. In those years, my
students and their families would fill the concert halls. Word of mouth
naturally spread around and every one course,at that time , no lady performer
had any program and therefore the reception was good. Then in 1998 , the Fadjr
Music Festival added a "ladies" section paving the ground further
more. After that, the "Goleh Yas" Festival was hold on the ocassion
of woman's day, and gradually lady performers took part in such festivals.
Has the presence of other lady performers led to
competition?
It can't ne called competition, as the number is still low.
Where do you usually hold your concerts?
Musical performance (for ladies) was difficult before 1998 since
they could not be held at official venues. Therefore , we used to perform mat
homes and then later at the auditoriums of such places as the house of Writers,
Eskan Condominium, etc. But things have changed since the 1997 presidental
elections.
What do you think of ladies in music?
I believed that music is specific to ladies. It was a
mother who hummed the first tune, and that was a lullaby. So ,
how can one overlook that. Can one really forget a
mother's lullaby?
Social conditions have improved since 1997. Do you think
that music has benefited? If so, has improvement in this
regard been slow or rapid?
I dont think our music has improved at all...
Do you mean traditional music?
Yes, generally i mean traditional music, and specially for
women.
What is the reason?
There are a number of reasons. First of all, factors
limiting music in general. In all these years , we have only tried to maintain
this music. We haven't been able to add anything to it. With regard to ladies
and music, the situation is much worse because no composer would compose music
for ladies and then we dont have very many ladies to play musical instruments
professionally. Therefore, nothing is aired and thus has no feedback.
We work for years, but are still not considered
professional because there are no released tapes! This is a major problem. I am
the first lady performer who has been active for only 7 years, I sing and i
have been teaching for 16 years. Many of my students are singers and teach too.
But we are still not considered professional musicians by the society
As you are aware, cultural exchange is very important
in the arts arena. Is there such exchange among ladies?
No! Unfortunately none of the lady artsts have any such
exchange. I believe that first of all it would be our union, which whould help
us progress. When i began working , i contacted a number of the ladies and
suggested that we cooperate . But unfortunately they didn't consent. . I think
artists come together for better results. Solo attempts will be in vain.
Aside from issue within a group , what should the
overall conditions be to facilitate the activity of each artist?
The society has to accept the fact that a women's voice is
nothing abnormal. A woman's voice can be a heavenly whisper or lullaby. A women's
voice can be positive and effective. A woman's voice can be utilized in the
proper way. As long as a woman's voice is considered evil, we can't get
anywhere.
How significant is music training in upgrading the
quality of our music? An Artist must educate and train another generation to
carry on the movement.
I can not judge the work of other colleagues. But i
believed that training of students does not end with Avaz training. Parallel
with the training, the culture of music has to be tought as well. The students
must comprehend that along with learning music and Avaz she must learn a lot of
other things to make her work lasting and memorable. Avaz can be learnt from
old Radifs or tapes. But why does one go to an instructor? Because she wants to
learn other aspects of the profession as well and gain an understanding of the
culture of music, the history of music, the big names, music in our mythology, etc.
These are very important.
Mrs. Maleki, in what Radif do you work? The
I teach both the
Which maestro did you train with?
I trained with maestros Nasrollah Nasehpour and Ali
Jahandar. I learned many of the old Tasnifs from Mr. Payvar. My life is my
music. I teach 10 hours a day along side many other things.
Such as?
for years now, my students and i choose a subject in music
and we research it. We have held sessions with maestros such as Ali Tajvidi, Homayoun
Khorram ... and benefited from them. We perform at rehabilitation canters for
the disabled or others and those in charge say that out music and performance
has had very positive effects on the patients.
To what extent is lyrics helpful in your performance?
Very much, because , poem is timeless. Poems like those of
Hafiz are unrivalled and apply to all. I believe hat poem and music are
inseparable . I shall never forgive the singer who sacrifices the poem for the
music. The two go together . Obviously , the correct recitation of the poem is
important as well. If music is to be accompanied bt a poem, it must be
respected and the emotional
aspect of the poem should be conveyed in the correct way.
Financially, how rewarding is this profession?
Very bad !
Even in teaching?
Well, a living can be earned through teaching , but the
economics of families is not very well and we can't put pressure on tyhem. So, i
don't believe in high prices. Many of the students have good voices and are
talented, but have problems with the financial aspect. we can't ignore them . Unfortunately,
the concerts too are not very rewarding in financial terms, they are only
cultural works and we
are not supported from anywhere.
We are at the threshhold of President Khatami's
second term in office and a change in his cabinet. what are your expections
with regard to music?
The least ! Is a woman sing or not? Is so, then some
changes are requiered. Those changes should include composition of music for
lady singers and the airing of that music. We also need better facilities for
holding concert for ladies.
In your latest concert, you have , for the first time
, addressed the general public. Why?
I believe that the young generation and those who have just
started work must be brought to light. When you have worked so hard for years, you
expect an opening or a "Launch Pad" . Each and every instructor must
provide this.
In this concert, 4 of my students accompany me in singing. At
first glance, it might seem wiered, because up to now Khonya had performed for
lady audiences only and this was the first performance for a mixed audience
