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Early Life and Education

Kayhan Kalhor was born in Tehran, Iran, into a Kurdish family. His musical journey began at a tender age, as he started studying music when he was just seven years old. His prodigious talent quickly became evident, and by the age of thirteen, he was already performing in the National Orchestra of Radio and Television of Iran.

Kalhor’s dedication to music led him to study under various teachers. He delved deep into the Iranian radif tradition, which is a system for teaching Persian classical music. His musical quest also took him to the northern part of the Khorasan province, where musical traditions were influenced by Kurdish and Turkic elements in addition to the Persian heritage.

One of the pivotal moments in Kayhan Kalhor’s musical education came when he attended a conservatory in Tehran under the guidance of Mohammad-Reza Lotfi, a renowned musician from the northeast of Iran. Kalhor’s thirst for knowledge and music also led him to explore the northwestern provinces of Iran, further enriching his understanding of the country’s diverse musical landscape.

At the age of 17, a significant turning point in Kalhor’s life arrived as he left Iran and embarked on a journey to Italy to pursue his musical studies in Rome. His arduous migration to Italy was no ordinary feat, as he traversed Turkey, Romania, and Yugoslavia, often taking up menial farm work to sustain himself. His relentless pursuit of musical excellence and the hardships he endured on this journey are a testament to his unwavering determination.

After completing his music studies in Rome, Kayhan Kalhor continued his musical odyssey and found himself in Canada, where he enrolled in the music program at Carleton University in Ottawa. His formal education further refined his musical skills and provided him with a well-rounded musical foundation.

October 31, 2023 | 6:06 pm