A farmer’s son from Iranian Azeri origins was born in Givi, Azerbaijani S.S.R., U.S.S.R. . He is also reported to have born in Kivi, Khalkhal, in the Khalkhal County, Iran (ergo his name). Khalkhali has been described as “a small, rotund man with a pointed beard, kindly smile, and a high-pitched giggle.”