Tehran, the bustling capital city of Iran, is known for its rich history and vibrant culture. It is a city that has been through many changes and has seen its fair share of ups and downs. But amidst all of this, there is one aspect of Tehran’s past that often goes unnoticed – its early sound recordings.
In a century-old building in Tehran, a group of enthusiasts led by Saeed Anvarinejad have embarked on a mission to uncover and preserve Iran’s earliest recorded sounds. Their efforts have resulted in an exhibition called “SoundScape”, where visitors can tune into Iran’s auditory history through a variety of vintage recordings.
Anvarinejad, one of the organizers of the exhibition, believes that sound is a phenomenon that is often overlooked, but is of great importance. “The era of early sound recording in Iran is a very important time in the socio-political history of the country,” he says. And he is right – these recordings serve as a reminder of the seismic changes that have shaped Iran’s history.
The oldest surviving sound recordings from Iran date back to 1898 and 1899, during the reign of Mozaffar al-Din Shah of the Qajar dynasty. This was a time of great political transformation in Iran, marked by the Constitutional Revolution which established a parliament and constitutional monarchy. Anvarinejad describes this period as a time when “a new order was taking shape in the Iranian mind” and important developments were happening culturally, socially, and politically.
The “SoundScape” exhibition allows visitors to experience this era through a different lens. One of the most striking installations is a vintage radio, which when tuned, broadcasts the chilling announcement of the overthrow of prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953. This event, orchestrated by the United States and Britain, had a significant impact on Iran’s political landscape.
But the exhibition is not just about political events. It also showcases the everyday sounds of Iranian life, such as the first recorded call to prayer in 1912 or 1913 and the 1959 report on the death of Qamar, the first woman singer to perform in public in the country. These recordings provide a glimpse into the daily lives of Iranians from over a century ago.
One of the most unique installations at the exhibition is a mechanical device that plays old recordings of the stringed tar instrument through retro telephone handsets. This allows visitors to not only hear the music, but also experience it in a tactile way. Another installation, called “Mowj Negar”, features printed sound waves that, when activated, play melodies from the Qajar and early Pahlavi eras. These were songs that once echoed through Iran’s grand palaces and bustling city streets.
But the exhibition also sheds light on a mysterious void in Iran’s auditory history – the 12-year silence during World War I. Atabak Axon, another exhibition organizer, explains that there are no sound recordings from this period, not because technology was unavailable, but likely because the country was in such turmoil that recording sound was not a priority. This silence remains a mystery, but it serves as a reminder of the tumultuous times that Iran has gone through.
The importance of sound in Persian culture cannot be overstated. It has always played a central role in connecting belief with poetry and identity. For many visitors, the “SoundScape” exhibition was a deeply emotional experience. 21-year-old Sarvin Faizian described it as “experiencing my parents’ past”, while Fatemeh Sadeghi felt overwhelmed by nostalgia. Even 63-year-old Kamran Asadi found the exhibition unexpectedly personal, saying “It is a very good and intimate atmosphere for me.”
But beyond the emotional impact, the exhibition also serves as a valuable learning experience for younger generations. As Iran’s heritage of music and art is passed down from one generation to the next, it is important to understand where it all originated from. The “SoundScape” exhibition allows for just that – a journey through Iran’s auditory history, from its earliest recordings to the present day.
In a world where technology is constantly advancing, it is important to remember and preserve our past. The “SoundScape” exhibition in Tehran does just that, by showcasing the often overlooked but significant aspect of sound in Iran’s history. It reminds us of the power of sound and its ability to capture the essence of a moment in time. And
