‏‏Isma‘il Mihrtash

Mihrtash, Isma‘il (1904-1980)

Tar instrumentalist, composer, music instructor, and the founder of the earliest theater music school in Iran: the Barbad Society (1926-1978). He studied music with Darvish Khan and attend the music classes held by ‘Ali Naqi Vaziri. Leading a versatile career, he trained theater actors and vocalist-actors (such as Muluk Zarrabi, Jamal Vafa’i, Shahidi, Malaka Burumand and others), and vocalists (such as Vafa’i, Muntashiri, Shajarian), wrote plays, and made numerous compositions, a number of which came to be regarded as some of the finest works of Persian classical music in early twentieth century. His early compositions, which were recorded on gramophone records between the years 1925-1951, were selected by Ruhu’llah Khaliqi for rearrangement and performance on the Golha, amongst which mention may be made of Khusraw-i husn (Prince of Beauty), Chih khwush sayd-i dilam kardi (How nicely you hunted my heart), and Az ‘ishqat ay nigaram (Your love, O my beloved!). These compositions reflect his refined taste and the composition styles of Darvish Khan, ‘Ali Naqi Vaziri, and ‘Arif. However, Khaliqi’s contribution to the rearrangement and performance of these works is far more evident than that of Mihrtash himself. His works are yet to be collected and released. 

Sayyid ‘Ali Riza Mir‘alinaqi