شبکه ی سی سی تی وی چین و خبری تصویری از ساز ابداعی سروش قهرمانلو به نقل از اسوشیتد پرس
Traditional Persian music is getting a brand-new makeover in Tehran. An innovative Iranian musician has electrified the ancient three-stringed Setar to make music that's a combination of past and present.
It sounds decidedly modern, but the rasping rock chords come from an ancient Iranian instrument, boasting more than a thousand years of history.
The three-stringed Setar, a kind of lute, is a familiar part of traditional Persian music.
But now musician Soroush Gharamanlou has brought it crashing into the 21st century, with electrifying effect.
Gharamanlou is trying to make a whole new sound - yet one that still sits within the Persian tradition.
Soroush Gharamanlou, Iranian musician, said, "This electric Setar has the frets of Persian music but modifications on its scale give us the chance to perform more modern music. At the same time the sounds which are produced by this instrument are neither similar to western music nor so far removed from the dominant music of Iran. I mean Iranians are familiar with this sound."
Iran has an overwhelmingly youthful population. Many fear that exposure to a wide range of different musical cultures through satellite TV and the Internet could dilute interest in Persian musical traditions.
Gharamanlou believes that his invention will help bring old and new, young and old together.
Soroush Gharamanlou said, "Our objective was to close the gap between youth music and traditional Persian music. At present, the majority of Persian music lovers are middle-aged people but our objective is to reconcile the youth with this music."
Classically-trained, Gharamanlou was aware he was taking the risk of alienating conservative traditionalists.
But, despite much criticism from prominent masters of the traditional Setar, he persevered.
Now, interest in the electric Setar is growing.
Elham Nazari is studying with Gharamanlou to master the Setar's new-found possibilities.
Elham Nazari said, "You can experience all the excitement and emotion of western classical music - and at the same time remain in the realm of Persian music."
Gharamanlou's first album on the electric Setar - "My Conscience is on Fire" was a bestseller at Iran's international book fair in April 2011.
Gharamanlou was also Iran's only representative at July's Berlin World Cultural Festival, putting the spotlight on this latest addition to Iran's musical repertoire.
