Maryam Roohparovar (September 31, 1932 – January 1, 1987) was one of the most powerful and emotionally resonant voices of Iranian popular music in the 1960s. Though her name may not be as widely remembered as some of her contemporaries, Roohparovar occupies a unique and influential place in the history of Iranian vocal performance. Her life and career reflect the complex intersections of art, gender, politics, and tragedy in modern Iranian history—particularly in the decades leading up to and following the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Roohparovar’s legacy is inseparable from her voice: a commanding, expressive, and deeply emotional instrument that earned her the enduring nickname “the Umm Kulthum of Iran.” Like her legendary Egyptian counterpart, Roohparovar possessed a vocal power that transcended entertainment and entered the realm of emotional and spiritual experience. Her songs resonated strongly with audiences across social classes, especially among listeners who valued classical vocal strength combined with popular musical sensibilities.
