Kurdish Music - Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraqi Kurdistan

Until Saddam Hussein rose to power later in the 20th century, Kurds in Iraq were allowed to perform as they wished, so long as music did not encroach on politics. Ali Merdan (1904–1981), a well known singer and composer, arose during this period. Restrictions on recording grew slowly, and censors banned anything with a hint of subversion. A black market flourished, and some of the Kurds' most popular musicians were executed, including Erdewan Zaxolî. Year 1974 saw a degree of autonomy being achieved for the Kurds, but it was short-lived. After siding with Iran during a war, many Kurds were murdered with chemical weapons by Hussein's government, and the Kurds became highly repressed until the Gulf War and US invasion of Iraq. When the Kurds restored their autonomy in 1991, they started rebuilding their region. Artists now enjoy a good support from the regional government in Iraqi Kurdistan, and Kurdish artists and writers are encouraged to move and work there. One of the most important Iraqi Kurdish artists is Chopy Fatah (singer) from the city of Kirkuk that has been able to perform in several international festivals to show the world more about the great Kurdish music.

Aras Ibrahim-violinist, built Martyr Karzan's music group (tipi muziki shehid Karzan) in 1981 which was the only group who could record revolutionary songs in the mountain in the PUK released areas of Kurdistan. The group recorded 5 cassettes and published them. In 1990, the group participated in the First festival of Halabja & Nawroz (arranged by Kurdistan Arts Union) in Saqz-Iran with the famous coral of Halabja which was about the chemical weapon used against the Kurds there. Some members of the group: Aras Ibrahim, Dler Ibrahim, Azad Khanaqini, Shwan Kaban, Idris Issa (Rzgar), Salari gitar, Twana Sulaiman, Hushiar Baba, Salam Ahmed Fars, Soran Jalal Aziz, Aso Kakaiy, Hama Jaza, Abdulkadir Hasan, Siyar, Saleem, Hakm Farhad, Qubad Gorun, Ashti Said, Jwan, Bahar,....

Kurdish singers from Iraqi Kurdistan had sometimes the opportunity of performing and recording with Arab orchestras, which is the reason why Kurdish music from this part is somewhat influenced by Arabian music. Some of the best-known classical musicians of the past generations here are Tehsîn Taha, who was renowned for his beautiful voice, Ali Merdan, Anwer karadaghi, Karim Kaban, Eyaz Yûsif, 'Îsa Berwarî,Dilovan Saeed, Kawîs Axa, Shamal Sayib and composers and violin players Anwer karadaghi, Dilşad Said, Peshraw Baban.