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| Memmed Ansari |
According to Memmed Ansari, many people working in Iran’s music industry can only operate under the patronage of either the reformist or conservative factions. In an interview with Voice of America, the Tabriz-born composer evaluated the relationship between musicians and the government in Iran and commented on claims of relative relaxation in the music sector during Hassan Rouhani’s presidency.
Memmed Ansari states that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not view music as an art form but rather as a tool for propaganda and promotion. He explains that many artists conform to this perspective in order to continue their work.
"When we look at Iran’s system, we see that in the past decades, most artists have been recruited into serving the ruling ideology. Art becomes a propaganda microphone. For example, music is commissioned for Persian nationalist and Shiite ideological purposes, or musicians are forced to perform in that manner to be able to work," the Tabriz-born composer states.
He points to specific examples of how the government exploits musicians for political purposes:
"In order to create a false sense of freedom, for example, during the 22 Bahman (Islamic Revolution anniversary) celebrations, joyful music is played. Similarly, before elections, obtaining concert permits becomes easier. Political factions, both reformist and conservative, have their own musicians," says Memmed Ansari, emphasizing that musicians can only operate under the protection of a political faction.
"In other words, musicians are either forced or willing to work alongside these political factions. But then, can we still call them artists? Can we still call them musicians? That is a question in itself," Ansari remarks.
Musicians who operate in this manner often face criticism from cultural activists and intellectuals. However, many cultural activists also support such music activities, arguing that artists have no other choice but to work within the existing political framework.
"Every artist chooses their own path. Those who stand with the dominant discourse do so out of necessity. In this situation, it is also the right of those who do not support the ruling discourse to criticize them. That being said, there are also artists who try to express themselves and showcase their music in their own way. However, their choice often leads to prison, torture, or the closure of music schools," Ansari explains.
He also addresses reports of a supposed relaxation in the music sector during Hassan Rouhani’s presidency:
"As far as I’ve seen, the situation in Iran fluctuates—sometimes they tighten restrictions, sometimes they loosen them. Hassan Rouhani is just like the others... This religious and centralist system has never had a positive view of music, and I don’t think it ever will. If there was any slight relaxation during the elections, it was for votes. Even Khamenei benefits from this at times, as he wants to show high voter turnout. But after the elections, the repression continues."
Ansari compares the promises made regarding music to Rouhani’s unfulfilled pledges about reviving Lake Urmia:
"We saw that in his second term, Rouhani didn’t even mention the promises he made in his first term about Lake Urmia, as if the problem had been solved... When they are so indifferent to such a vital issue, where do you think music—which the system doesn’t take seriously at all—stands?"
Ansari points out that musicians in peripheral, non-Persian regions face even stricter control.
"Especially in Azerbaijan, musicians do not have access to the same financial privileges (rents) as those in Isfahan or Tehran. In Iran, when we talk about music, it is mostly music that involves lyrics and poetry that gets the spotlight. The government understands the poetry in Persian music more easily. But when it comes to our Turkish language, they act much more harshly," adds the composer of 21 Azar Symphonic Poem.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Məmməd Ənsari: Hakimiyyət musiqiyə sənət kimi deyil, propaqanda vasitəsi kimi baxır