Osman Mohammadparast, renowned Iranian two-stringed musician, passes away
The famous master of the Iranian and Khorasan two-stringed instrument, Osman Mohammadparast, passed away in Khaf at the age of 94. Many know him for the famous song "Nava'i" of Khorasan, which has become immortal in the minds and memories of Iranians.
Osman Mohammad Parast was born in 1928 in Khaf, Khorasan. He is also known as Osman Khafi.
He learned to play the dotar at the age of 10. Although his father was against his playing, his son's taste and talent changed his father's opinion.
He later said about the beginning of his musical career: "I started playing the dotar when I was twelve or thirteen years old, and after work, which is the essence of every Khafi man, I would listen to spiritual music by myself day and night, and I never had a teacher in this field. The dotar means love. The dotar is a calm and gentle instrument that soothes both the player and the people who are interested in this instrument."
From Chavoshi and Sarhadi to other maqams from the land of Khorasan, these are some of the musical works that Osman Mohammadparast has performed in various forms.
Osman Mohammadparast says about the origin of the dotar: "The origin of the dotar is in the three cities of Khaf, Taybad, and Torbat Jam, which mostly play Persian and local songs. After that, the dotar was common in Quchan, Shirvan, and Bojnord, where they played Kurdish and Turkish songs. From there, it reached the Turkmens in Gonbad Kavus, who played Turkmen songs with the dotar."
His song "Navai Navai" was first performed in 1974.
The first lasting tile in order to preserve the country's intangible heritage has been installed on the door of Osman Mohammadparast's house.
This master of traditional Khorasan music collaborated with many musical artists such as Jalil Shahnaz, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Shahram Nazeri, Farhang Sharif, Akbar Golpaygani, and Asghar Bahari.
He openly criticized the restrictions and negative view of music in the Islamic Republic, which considers it forbidden, and complained about the government's indifference to music and art lovers.
In April of last year, the School Renovation, Development and Equipment Organization awarded the School Building Ambassador Medal to Osman Mohammadparast during a ceremony in Khaf city.
He was known as the founder and promoter of the construction of more than 900 schools in Iran.
Osman Mohammad Parast died on May 19, 2022, at the age of 94, in Bahman 22 Hospital, Khaf, Khorasan.
Source: DW
