TDE /Shajarian was born in the east Iranian city of Mashhad. As a young boy he called attention to himself as a gifted reciter of the Qur’an, a tradition he had inherited from his father. Practising music as a performance art ran against the beliefs of his strictly religious family, so he conducted his studies of Persian vocals and the science of the classical radif system secretly.


He has been called “Iran’s greatest living master of traditional Persian music.” Shajarian is also known for his skills in Persian calligraphy, and humanitarian activities.

“Mr. Shajarian said: I’m Mohammad Reza Shajarian, a child of Iran,” “My voice is part of Iran’s ancient culture, to remind the people of the world that we have had a culture of love, peace and friendship.”