Sayyid Javad Zabihi

Zabihi, Sayyid Javad (ca. 1873-1939), vocalist performing Persian religious music. His biography is scantily known. He displayed his talents at the funeral procession held for Reza Shah Pahlavi (1944). He was the best known religious vocalist performing on Radio Tehran from 1956 to 1978, inaugurating court salutation ceremonies, feast days, like Naw Ruz (the Iranian New Year’s Day) as well as the Shi’i mourning ceremonies, for the martyrdom of the Shi’i Imams. Owing to the religious considerations at the time, his recorded performance on the Barg-i Sabz is not accompanied by the music. His presence on the Golha and the Barg-i Sabz was rather a formality. His style is a kind of melodic declamation often free from the principles of the Persian classical vocal style (avaz). His reticent memory enabling him to remember poetry befitting different occasions and his extraordinary vocal cords contributed to his further popularity. However, his support for the Pahlavi government and his alleged irresponsible conducts and collaboration with SAVAK (the state intelligence organization) enraged some people and he was murdered by some of his opponents a few months after the 1979 Revolution at a national park in the suburbs of Tehran. The collection and release of his recorded performances on the vocals are still a desideratum.