Ali Zandi (singer)

Ali Zandi (1956–2024) was a famous traditional Kurdish singer and musician from Sna, Kurdistan province, Iran.

[1] He is famous for his impact on the Kurdish music by bringing the folk music of Leîlâkh [2] to social media through live performance in Kurdsat,[3] Kurdistan TV [4][5] and Zagros TV as well as publishing several albums such as Nâlae Nîwashaw (mid-night cry) and Hâmed Alîjanî, an album in memory of less-known poet and Âref [6] of Leîlâkh Hâmed Alîjani.

However, he was not miserably successful because it coincided with the Cultural Revolution [1] when universities closed for almost three years (1980–1983) that negatively affecting Ali's upcoming prospective[1].

[1] During 1986-2000 he was imprisoned several times as the poems of the songs were not in favor of local administrators and were considered as promotion of demonstration against the current regime.

Among the famous musicians who worked with Ali Zandi as instrumentalists and arrangers, were Anwar Gharadaghi,[10] Rashid Fainezhad,[11] Mozaffar Kamgar[12] and Niaz Santoor.

Ali Zandi
Born 1956 (age 67), Sna ( Sanandaj ), Iran
Genres Kurdish Folk Music
Occupation Singer
Instrument Diwan (Baghlama)
Years active 1980s-2020s
Died 3 April 2024, Toronto