I Love You, Oh Ancient Land Explained

To Ra Ey Kohan Boomo Bar Doost Daram
Type:studio
Artist:Mohsen Keramati and Noushin Tafi
Cover:To Ra Ey Kohan Boomo Bar Doost Daram.jpg
Released: (Iran)
Recorded:2010–2015, Studio Pop (Tehran)
Genre:Persian traditional music
Label:30Lahn Music Inc. (Worldwide), Avaye Barbad (Iran)
Producer:Mahmoud Tavassolian

To Ra Ey Kohan Boomo Bar Doost Daram (Persian: تو را ای کهن بوم و بر دوست دارم ; lit. I Love You, Oh Ancient Land) is a 2015 Persian traditional music collaborative studio album. The album is dueted by vocalists Mohsen Keramati and Noushin Tafi, and is composed by Peyman Khazeni. The album was unveiled on January 27, 2015.[1]

Controversy

In February 2015, the album became controversial after Iranian hardliners falsely claimed that it contains solo female vocals (which is forbidden in Iran). The album got Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati under pressure from conservatives. Several senior clerics publicly criticized the album, including Hossein Noori Hamedani, Mohammad Alavi Gorgani, Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani and Naser Makarem Shirazi.[1]

“I emphatically deny all reports claiming that the Culture Ministry has authorized an album that contains solo performances by a female singer. The complaints from the respected clerics are based on false reports that they have received about the album. Of course, I respect them and understand their concerns, which come from religious motivations”, The minister said.[2]

Due to the criticisms on the album, two female singers scheduled to perform in Fajr International Music Festival, did not participate in their group's event. The ministry stressed that their absence was “with the agreement of the group”.[3]

Remove from Market and Cover change

On February 26, 2015 the publisher decided to remove the album from the market in order to change the cover, after being warned by Ministry of Culture. The album's original cover, which portrays only female singer Noushin Tafi, may cause the "misunderstanding" that it's a solo album by her.[4]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.[5]

Additional musicians
Artistic personnel
Technical personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Female Singing At Center Of New Attacks Against Iran's Rohani. Esfandiari. Golnaz . February 7, 2015 . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . February 27, 2015.
  2. Web site: False news on female solo singing annoys Culture Ministry. February 16, 2015 . Tehran Times. February 27, 2015.
  3. Web site: Administration seems to back down on women’s right to sing. February 17, 2015 . Radio Zamaneh. February 27, 2015.
  4. News: Sahar. Azad. Controversial Album Removed From The Market. Shargh. February 27, 2015 . 2247. 14. Persian.
  5. To Ra Ey Kohan Boomo Bar Doost Daram. 2015. booklet. 30Lahn Music Inc..