Parvaneh Amir-Afshari (born March 17, 1945), widely known by her stage name Homeyra , is one of the most celebrated figures of Iranian music. With a career spanning more than half a century, she has become a symbol of the golden age of Persian traditional and pop music, admired for her extraordinary vocal range and emotional depth. According to her mentor, the renowned composer and violinist Ali Tajvidi, Homeyra’s voice stretches from alto to soprano, a rare gift that allowed her to traverse genres and innovate within classical and contemporary Iranian music.
Homeyra’s life, however, has not been free of hardship. She has experienced rejection by her family due to her musical pursuits, exile from her homeland after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, personal struggles in marriage and migration, and battles with depression and illness. Yet, through resilience and dedication to her art, she has continued to inspire Iranians around the world. Today, Homeyra is remembered not only for her timeless songs but also for her unwavering commitment to her craft, her homeland, and her identity as an artist.
Early Life and Family Background
Parvaneh Amir-Afshari was born on March 17, 1945, in Tehran, into an aristocratic Iranian family with roots in Zanjan. Her upbringing was marked by both privilege and cultural exposure. The Amir-Afshari household often hosted gatherings attended by government officials, artists, and intellectuals of the time. These gatherings were not mere social occasions but cultural salons where music and poetry flourished.
