Carnegie Hall

• Discuss the lyrics of the song.
  • The Iranian song “Azizam To Golakami” (translated as "My Dear, My Flower") is a Kurdish song that expresses deep affection and admiration for nature, particularly the beauty of flowers.
  • The lyrics describe the flower as a symbol of love and beauty, often using nature as a metaphor for the feelings of love and longing.
• Learn the call and response.
  • One person starts by singing the call “Aay, Chan Khosha bazmi awaran.”
  • The group responds by singing the response, “Azizam To Golakami.”
  • After the response, everyone sings the phrase together, “Lanaw baghchekey hanaran.”
  • The group responds by singing the response, “Azizam To Golakami.”
  • Repeat this pattern several times, with the leader singing the call and the group responding. Once everyone is comfortable with the rhythm, try singing all the phrases together in unison. The call-and-response helps create harmony and coordination between the leader and the group!

Discover the Bayat-e Tork in “Azizam To Golakami”

• Persian music uses a variety of scales, contributing to its unique sound.
• Explain to your students that one of those scales is the bayat-e tork. It has a unique sound because one of its notes is slightly lower than usual, creating a special “half-flat” tone. It is commonly used in traditional Iranian music and makes the music feel emotional.
• Compare a major scale to the scale used in “Azizam To Golakami” using Bayat-e tork (major scale in F and bayat-e tork scale demonstrations).
  • This scale is similar to a major scale, but the seventh note is partially flattened—it’s not a full half step lower.
  • The bayat-e tork includes a microtone called “koron,” a half-flat note, which is less than a half step away from its neighbor note. Instead of a half step, it is more like a quarter step.
  • In Western music, a flat is indicated by ♭. The “koron” (half flat) is notated as Image 2866, Picture.
  • Listen to Bayat-e tork (major scale in F and bayat-e tork scale demonstrations) and sing the scales together as a class. Notice the similarities and differences.

Learn the Dance in “Azizam To Golakami”

• Dancing is important in Kurdish culture. Traditional Kurdish dances are often performed in a line, where dancers hold hands, lock elbows, or join shoulders and move in rhythmic steps.
• The dance reflects joy, celebration, and storytelling, with movements ranging from fast and energetic to slow and graceful. Accompanied by traditional instruments, Kurdish dances are an important cultural expression that highlight unity, history, and community.
• Refer to the learning video to learn the dance movements in a line.
  • Students can be arranged in a line or a circle and move during the refrain.
  • In Kurdish dances, the leader shakes a piece of cloth, like a scarf or shawl, to guide the group. The other dancers follow the leader’s movements, maintaining rhythm and unity throughout the performance.

• The kamancheh is a prominent instrument in Iranian folk music.
• Learn about the kamancheh using Discover the Kamancheh (PDF).
• Listen to how it sounds using Kamancheh demonstration.

Add the words bayat-e tork, call and response, and kamancheh to the Musical Word Wall.

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Image Credits

Mehrnam photo by Natalie Chitwood; Golpayegan Friday Mosque was built in the 12th century during the Great Seljuk period. The mosque was built by Seljuk Sultan Muhammet Tapar. Iran by Ahmet Kuş / Alamy Stock Photo.; Grilled koobideh with vegetables and flat bread by Zoonar GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo; Mehrnam childhood photo courtesy of artist.