In 1961, Shajarian married Farkhunda Golafshan. The couple had four children: three daughters—Farzaneh (Raheleh), Afsaneh, and Mojgan—and a son, Homayoun Shajarian, who would later become one of Iran’s most prominent musicians.
Family life grounded Shajarian even as his artistic ambitions expanded.
Calligraphy and Discipline
In 1967, Shajarian moved to Tehran, where he met influential figures such as Ahmad Ebadi and studied at Esmaeil Mehrtash’s classes. At the same time, he pursued Nastaliq calligraphy, studying under Ebrahim Bouzari and later Hassan Mirkhani.
By 1970, he had received a degree of excellence in calligraphy, a discipline that deeply influenced his musical philosophy. Like calligraphy, Persian music demanded balance, restraint, rhythm, and spiritual intention.
Part Four: Poetry, Innovation, and Cultural Authority
Bridging Classical and Modern Poetry
Shajarian’s genius lay in his ability to connect centuries of Persian poetry with contemporary sensibilities.
