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The radif may be vocal or instrumental, performed on a variety of instruments with different performance techniques, including the long-necked lutes tār and setār, as well as the santur hammered zither, kamānche spike fiddle, and ney reed pipe. Passed from master to disciple through oral instruction, the radif embodies both the aesthetic practice and the philosophy of Persian musical culture. Learning the radif stretches over at least a decade of self-devotion, during which the students memorize the radif’s repertoire and engage in a process of musical asceticism intended to open the gates of spirituality. This rich treasury lies at the heart of Persian music and reflects the cultural and national identity of the Persian people.
