Abbas Mehrpouya’s approach to music was not just a personal journey; it was an expansive vision to transform the Iranian music scene, blending influences from the East, West, and beyond. His time in India, where he studied under the guidance of sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, was pivotal in his development as an artist. The sitar, with its Persian roots as the tar, was a perfect starting point for Mehrpouya’s exploration into cross-cultural musical synthesis. He not only delved into the technicalities of the instrument but also absorbed the philosophical and spiritual elements tied to Indian classical music. This was no simple fusion of sounds; Mehrpouya sought to explore the deeper connections between Iranian and Indian musical traditions, emphasizing the universality of rhythm and melody. His studies helped him push boundaries, allowing him to bring back more than just a new instrument but an entirely new way of thinking about music.
Mehrpouya’s travels across the globe during the 1970s broadened his horizons even further. Whether in Africa, the Pacific Islands, or the remote corners of the world, he immersed himself in indigenous music and the diverse ways cultures communicate through sound. He was particularly captivated by the raw, primal energy of African rhythms, which he seamlessly integrated into his compositions. These influences began to appear in his work, layering traditional Iranian music with innovative, global sounds that were fresh, unconventional, and full of life. In many ways, Mehrpouya acted as a musical anthropologist, collecting sounds not only for artistic inspiration but to challenge the very notion of what Iranian music could be. He brought back new instruments, new tonalities, and new rhythms that were unheard of in the local pop scene.
What set Mehrpouya apart from other musicians of his time was his dedication to breaking the boundaries of genre and tradition. While most Iranian musicians remained rooted in established styles, Mehrpouya constantly sought to redefine what Iranian pop could be, drawing from his travels, studies, and collaborations with artists across the world. His music became a melting pot of influences that combined Persian classical music with experimental Western sounds and rhythms from all over the world. In doing so, he not only created a unique musical identity for himself but also set the stage for the next wave of Iranian fusion artists who would continue his legacy of cultural exploration. Mehrpouya’s work demonstrated that music has the power to transcend borders, offering a window into the beauty of our shared global culture.
