Iranian American actress Shohreh Aghdashloo has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards. This is the first Emmy nomination for Shohreh Aghdashloo, who was most notably nominated for an Oscar in 2004 for her role in "The House of Sand and Fog."

Aghdashloo has been nominated for her role in the HBO drama "The House of Saddam," where she plays Sajida, Saddam Hussein's wife.  For the Emmy Award, she will go head to head with such acclaimed actresses as Marcia Gay Harden, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Janet McTeer and Cicely Tyson.

We at bidar.tv congratulate Aghdashloo on her latest achievement and, like many other Iranian Americans, will be watching and keeping our fingers crossed on September 20th.

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on September 20th at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.  The awards show will air live on CBS beginning at 8:00 pm Eastern time. 

 

M.I.L.A.D (May I Live and Die) – The First British Iranian Pop Star

M.I.L.A.D: “As I walked through the door and found my dad dead.....the story of M.I.L.A.D began....”

Born in Tehran 10^th June 1985, M.I.L.A.D also known as Milad (meaning birth), family moved to Sweden.  Like most young boys his age M.I.L.A.D started early life wanting to be a footballer although secretly behind closed doors he was developing his personal passion as again like most young boys growing up in that era he was hooked on Michael Jackson.  He began writing hundreds of poems and eventually family, friends and school teachers discovered that he was a naturally gifted writer. Growing up in the early years M.I.L.A.D in his own words had a “normal” life since his father was a very successful businessman, owning several top sports teams in Sweden and winning continuous medals and titles with the various sport teams he owned. He was also the first ever person to create a Women’s Iranian football team which in the early 90’s was unthinkable.  Everything changed however when his mother took him and his sister to England as his father remained in Sweden. This was a very difficult time for M.I.L.A.D not being around his father and seeing his mum having to struggle so hard financially to make ends meet. At the age of 11 he made a choice that whatever he was to do in his life, it would be to make a positive difference in people's lives. He had 3 different paths of interest he could choose between: Music (fuelled by his exposure to Pop Icons such as Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, 2 Pac, Eminem), Football (fuelled by his Dad’s love for the game and being a fervernt Man Utd supporter as his first home in England was Manchester) and believe it or not Politics (most probably inspired by his background).

Although he found love for music at such a young age (11), it was not until the age of 16 where he actually began taking it seriously. Being a young British/Swedish Iranian and exposed to western pop culture, M.I.L.A.D was listening to the radio, singing to N’Sync's chart hit –“Gone” and felt he had found a voice of his own. He was moved by the lyrics, hooked by the melody and could see how much of an impact a great song could have to evoke feelings in people. He knew that music was to be his choice in life however not one to disappoint his mother, M.I.L.A.D took the decision to put his music on hold and do a 3 year BA Honours Degree course in History and Politics at the world famous SOAS University in London. Surprising to many, M.I.L.A.D after a reluctant start took a great interest in these subjects and worked hard to actually enjoy his degree course. Towards the end of his 1st year at university (2004) M.I.L.A.D's life changed forever as he went to visit his Dad at his home in North London, this was to be his last visit to his father’s home. He tells the story of how he came to find him...

“ I remember it clearly... I was at my dad’s house unaware that he was home at the time I was just about to close the door before I left to go out but something made me check his bedroom again and there he was lying on the floor with his eyes open and face darkened, almost black, I had these big planks of wood fall on my head from above as I fell screaming on the floor due to the shock of what I had seen, I was numb to the physical pain, I could only feel the unbearable pain in my heart..". 

It quickly became clear to him that his father had taken his own life. M.I.L.A.D was completely shattered, losing his best friend and father in one precious moment. Many of his family feared that he would get into heavy drugs or take to alcohol to comfort him. However he dealt with this period the only way he knew he had to, through his music. He ended up writing lyrics to a song called “R.I.P Dad” which epitomizes what kind of artist M.I.L.A.D really is, emotional and unique to the core.

At such a young age M.I.L.A.D has become quite the expert in turning negative situations into positive ones, He explains: "It's amazing how the worse moment of your life can turn around for the best…I'd like to think he is watching over me and my family. The bottom line is every parent’s aim is to help their children's dreams come true and my dad one way or another has done just that… I am more inspired today than ever before and if I can make a difference in just one persons life then I have LIVED and died.".

Writing songs and making music at home on his computer led to him creating a handful of demo tracks that eventually fell into the hands of music producer, artist manager and media business owner, Terry Mardi. Spending time with Terry Mardi, a self made successful music producer and entrepreneur who understood the values of positive thinking and heartfelt writing, M.I.L.A.D grew his Myspace fan base and since then this young talent has attracted an impressive 1.4 million plays on his myspace page (www.myspace.com/miladmusic).

With an established international fan base his debut pop single Love Flow has already hit it off big in the club scene in Germany. With an imminent UK release and the anticipated music video which is set to blow people away, 2009 looks like a year where everybody will finally know who M.I.L.A.D is and what he is about. Having already performed at some of the top venues in the UK, written a top hit for Universal Music (which sold over 10 million albums internationally) and performed with some of the biggest artists in the Persian and Western music scene he is finally ripe to take the music scene by storm. 

Terry Mardi is quoted saying: “Peers in the music industry were shocked when I decided to work with M.I.L.A.D being Indian myself they couldn’t understand why I would get involved… however I didn’t  care. I am extremely proud of his achievements so far, however what makes me most excited is the fact that finally the Iranian youth have a young role model to look to for inspiration and freedom. It reminds me of when the Asian community latched on to Jay Sean and the Hispanic kids embraced Enrique in their early careers. The best thing about M.I.L.A.D is what he writes about, so young but been through so much and to top it off his voice sounds unique I love that about him, he is immediately identifiable. I always say to people; hey imagine if Kurt Cobain was alive and decided to make urban music with songs co-written by 2 Pac or Eminem, well that’s what M.I.L.A.D reminds me of... Ha Ha, I know it’s crazy, but you just have to wait to hear this album, it’s got some of the world’s best musicians on it too, I am giving it my 110% on the production to create something unique that will make you feel good, if you are fed up of the same formulaic music coming from every other current pop artist, then this album is for you”.

To see the Love Flow ‘Behind the Scenes Video’ which includes international star Jay Sean and to find out more about M.I.L.A.D go to:  www.mayiliveanddie.com

For more information or booking enquiries email: info@terrymardi.com

Director Bahman Ghobadi and actor Hamed Behdad attend the Spring Fever Premiere held at the Palais Des Festival during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2009 in Cannes, France.

Award-winning Iranian film-maker Bahman Ghobadi, in Cannes with an underground movie from Tehran, says the country's tight censorship and restrictions mean he is now lost and may not go back. His two-hour movie is a no-holds-barred denunciation of film and music censorship in Iran shot in secret in just 17 days with a mostly non-professional cast working on a shoestring budget. 

Hesam Faryad was born on September 8^th, 1980 in Tehran, Iran.  As an only child, and with his parents by his side, he grew up in his grandfather's traditional house.  With Jasmine flowers scattered in the backyard, and an old Mulberry tree beside a small pond full of fishes.  His poetic father known for his vibrant voice, entertained and performed for the local population.

From the tender age of five Hesam sang with his father and quickly acquired the ability to perform live.  It was at this age that he sang the popular song "To Ey Pari Kojaie originally sang by Master Ghavami", in a gathering of four hundred people.  He never forgets the reactions he received from the crowd. "People were staring at me. No one moved. They seemed almost in a trance. When I finished, everyone applauded cheerfully". With so much music in his life, it was only a matter of time before Hesam realized that music was in his blood. It was something that came so naturally to him that when he sang it was almost like breathing.

At the age of eight he started taking Tombak lessons at Malek Music Institution with the Master Izad Kaviani.   When he was only nine, due to his passion for Cinema, he was able to win the heart of an Iranian director "Ghodratollah Solh Mirzaie" to appear in his film called "Yek Khata" (One Mistake). This movie was a project for "Kanoone Parvaresh Fekri Koodakan". He wrote his first poem "Ghobare Cheshmhat", and his first melody at the age of ten.  Hesam was twelve when his father registered him to learn Radif at Talar Vahdat with Master Karim Saleh Azimi.

His father left Iran when he was only fourteen years old.  By this time he had his own music band and was performing in different gatherings.  One year after his father's departure, Hesam and his mother left Iran to Turkey to find their way to join his father. After a transit of eight months in Turkey, he was able to leave for Belgium but without his mother. His reunion with his father after a period of almost two years fulfilled him with much joy.  However his distance from his mother and Iran, and his unwanted migration caused him a lot of emotional turbulences. At this time he started writing more seriously.  He received great instructions from his father, Shoorideh, Nimad and some of the greatest Iranian poets such as Zari Minouie and Shahriar Dadvar.

During the first couple of years abroad, he has performed in many different countries all across Europe. He has a passionate belief in the importance of civil and human rights in every society. Therefore this inspired him to become the voice of those who are suffering and struggling in everyday life.

 He was only seventeen years old when one of the greatest Iranian composers Mohammad Shams saw his live performance in Luxembourg.  He was taken by the power of his voice, and became determined to make a record with him. In 1999 at the age of eighteen, his first official album "NAHANG" was released by "Wave Production Recording Company".  This album was

A combination of his lyrics and melodies alongside with those of Master Shams. He began to receive recognition for his young, strong and powerful voice within the Iranian music Industry.

So far he has five albums released by recording companies both in USA and Europe:

•          Nahang (The Whale)

      1999 (Wave Production/Belgium, Brussels), (Ava Records/ U.S.A, LA)

•          Space

2003 (Nimad Music Publishing/ Germany, Norderstedt)

•          Simorgh

Single DVD, 2004 (MHB- Records/ France, Paris)

This project was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the heartbreaking earthquake of the city of BAM in Iran.

•          Ghazal

2006 (Pars Video/ USA, LA)

He has also collaborated on albums with other artists such as:

•          Noroozaaneh

      2001, (Nimad Music Publishing/ Germany, Norderstedt).

      A narration of Dr.Esmail Khoie's poems.

•          Keh Har Pirouzi Aval Arezoo Bood

       2002 (Nimad Music Publishing/Germany, Norderstedt).

       A narration of Dr. Jaleh Esfahani's poems.

•          Assaari Az Mohammad Shams

       2003 (Mp- Records/Sweden, Malmo).

During the years of his professional singing career Hesam Faryad has been instructed and trained on his Vocals, music theory and some composition by his masters, Iraj Heet, Mohammad Shams and Nimad. He has also worked with other Iranian composers and poets such as: Eric, Andranic, Esfandiar Monfaredzadeh,  M. Ali Shakibaie, Dr.Esmail Khoie, Reza  Parhizkari, Dr Zhaleh Esfahani, Mina Asadi, Iraj Fatemi, Farham, M.Ali Esfahani,  M. Mehdi Moradi,  Ardalan Sarfaraz, and...

As a Soloist he has done performances in different languages such as Farsi, English and French for Iranian and non-Iranian audiences with String Symphony Orchestra of Brussels, String Philharmonic Orchestra of Paris,  Choral of Radio France and Philharmonic of Sofia of Bulgaria.

 After living abroad more than a decade he continues to follow Iranian Cinema and Music. He remains down to earth, because his simple family background reminds him of his ordinary roots.

 He has a gifted voice whose musical breadth knows no boundaries. Singing to audiences on every continent, Hesam Faryad wants to win the heart of everyone by digging deep down into his soul and finding common threads with his fans.

از همان دوران با ديدن كارتون Lion King به موسيقی التون جان علاقه مند شد.

در شانزده سالگی زير نظر کاوه یغمایی با اصول نوازندگی كيبورد و سبک راك آشنا شد.

سيروان مدتی بعد به همراه 4 نفر از دوستان خود يك گروه زيرزمينی راك را تشكيل داد كه در آن به اجرای قطعات گروه های

ميپرداختند. سيروان پس از يكسال همراهی گروه از آنها جدا شد.Police, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd , Beatleمطرح راكs

همراه گروه كاوه يغمايی در دو كنسرت 1379 و 1380 به عنوان نوازنده كيبورد گروه حضور داشت و اين تنها اجراهای سيروان به عنوان نوازنده بر روی سن بوده است.

مهمترين عامل در وارد شدنش به عرصه موسيقی حرفه ای را حضور و آشنا شدن با مراحل ضبط آلبوم كاوه يغمايی "مترسك"ميداند.

"مترسك" محرك اصلی سيروان برای شروع آهنگسازی و بيان ايده ها و افكار موسيقاييش بود.

سيروان از سال 1379 در آلبومهای بسياری از خوانندگان به عنوان صدابردار، ناظر ضبط ، تنظيم كننده و آهنگساز حضور داشت تا اينكه پس از آشنايی با اميد اطهری نژاد در سال 1380 تهيه اولين آلبوم شخصی خود " sir-1.com " را شروع كرد و پس از گذراندن مراحل اخذ مجوز وزارت فرهنگ و ارشاد اسلامی ، بيستم مرداد ماه 1384 موفق به انتشار آلبوم شد.

با اينكه آلبوم "sir-1.com" فروش چندان مناسبی نداشت اما سيروان از اينكه توانسته بود سبك مورد علاقه اش را كه تحولی در آهنگسازی ،تنظيم ،اجرا و ميكس و مسترينگ بود ، به گوش مردم برساند راضی و خوشحال بود.

AGE: 24 | HEIGHT: 5'10" | HOMETOWN:VANCOUVER, BC

Tannaz Alesafar

Tannaz Alesafar was born in Iran and moved to Canada as a teenager; and is grateful for the opportunity to live in this wonderful Country. She is bilingual in Farsi and English and is currently in her last semester in Simon Fraser University completing a B.A of Communication and Mass Media.

In the future she's eager to further her education in a Masters Program of Communication and hopes to work in the media and entertainment industry.

Tannaz enjoys many kinds of sports such as soccer and basketball. In high school, she was a member of the basketball team and poetry group. In her spare time, she enjoys writing poems, cooking, working out, dancing and is a trained belly dancer.

 

Vote for Tannaz Alesafar

 

AGE: 24 | HEIGHT: 5'7" | HOMETOWN:TORONTO, ON

Yasmin Moavenian 

Yasmin Moavenian was born and raised in North York, Ontario. She attended the prestigious Toronto French School from the age of 3, and remained there until she graduated from high school. It was there that she received her Brevet Diploma, and completed the International Baccalaureate program.

She picked up a native level of French, perfected her English, and even some Spanish along the way. She went on to complete an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Religion from the University of Toronto. While attending University, she had the pleasure of being part of one of North America's largest sororities, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Yasmin is in law school and plans on graduating and writing the bar in 2011.

When she's not buried underneath a pile of books, she divides her time between her family and friends. You'll usually find her at home and in the kitchen, attempting to bake or simply entertaining. This past year, she discovered a strong passion for snowboarding. Philanthropy and a love for the arts are two other topics dear to Yasmin's heart.

 

Vote for Yasmin Moavenian

 

AGE: 21 | HEIGHT: 5'7" | HOMETOWN: TORONTO,ON

Tara Mobayen 

Tara Mobayen was born in Shiraz, Iran and moved to Canada as a teenager to settle in Toronto, Ontario where doors of opportunities opened. She began her modeling career at the age of 17 and is currently studying at the University of Toronto, where she is double majoring in Human Biology and Astrophysics.

Tarais the youngest of 3 siblings, is fluent in English and Farsi and holds a certificate in Cosmetology. After losing her father to colon cancer two years ago, she endeavours to seize every positive opportunity and appreciates the simpler things in life.

Tara is an avid swimmer. She obtained a gold medal in 2000 at the Provincial Breast Stroke Swimming Competition. In addition, she achieved first place in the Provincial Math Olympiad of 2002. Tara has inherited her love for painting and drawing from her mom. She has participated in several painting competitions and earned third place in an oil on canvas regional painting competition in 2001.

Tara also enjoys poetry, rollerblading, baking cakes, and dancing. She is extremely family oriented, and loves traveling and meeting new people

 

Vote for Tara Mobayen

 

AGE: 25 | HEIGHT: 5'8" | HOMETOWN:CALGARY, AB

Neda Derakhshan

Neda Derakhshan is 25 years old and was born in Iran. She moved to Canada at the age of 13 with her parents and 3 younger brothers. They lived in Toronto for about a year until her Father's job moved that family to Calgary. In Calgary Neda got the opportunity to meet really great people, develop relationships, begin gaining experience in various work fields, finish high school, and go to college.

She received a business management diploma and is now currently working at a financial institution where she plans on becoming a financial advisor. Neda also plans to own her own salon/spa in the near future, she enjoys dancing, music of all sorts, swimming, horseback riding, hanging out with family andfriends, and most of all, travelling and expanding her horizons.

Neda has a very big heart and a determined and passionate attitude. She truly believes that with a strong enough mind and will, a person can persevere and achieve any goal they invest their time in.

 

Vote for Neda Derakhshan

 

AGE: 19 | HEIGHT: 5'7" | HOMETOWN:VAUDREUIL-ORION, QC

Sarah Saei

Sarah Saei is Canadian born with Iranian and Belgian roots, which helped her develop skills and interests in languages and cultural traditions. She aspires to achieve a professional career in singing, acting or modeling. She is sociable, lovable and a kind person. She cherishes family values and respects others.

Oneof her desirable goals in life is equality for women and minorities in every walk of life. She enjoys helping and feels at ease while volunteering in her community.

 

Vote for Sarah Saei

 

AGE: 20 | HEIGHT: 5'9" | HOMETOWN:CALGARY, AB

Aylar Macky

Aylar Macky is the eldest child of two and was born in Tehran, Iran. At the tender age of nine Aylar's family relocated to Toronto, Ontario and shortly after moved to Calgary, Alberta.

She is fluent in English, Farsi and Turkish and continues to enhance her language skills by participating in the Explore French Immersion program in Montreal, and has also enrolled in Italian courses at the University of Calgary. Currently a full time student at the University of Calgary studying towards adegree in International Business with a minor in Sociology.

Aylar is a dedicated athlete and musician. She has played volleyball, soccer, and basketball competitively and won Best Female Athlete of the Year consecutively for three years as a teenager. She is a competitive swimmer and has wonnumerous medals, including a gold medal in a regional competition in Iran. In her spare time Aylar coaches her younger brother's soccer team and is passionate about music, playing the piano for 14 years.

 

Young Shadmehr began studying music with the encouragement of his brother and mother. He learned to play the piano and the violin just before he was 12 years old. The guitar is also an instrument which Shadmehr learned to play in a dexterous manner. After the Iranian Revolution of 1979, he entered a school of arts in Tehran and in a short time showed great intelligence in composing and playing music. As a child Shadmehr was influenced by Persian pop star Siavash Shams and other singers like Andy.

After receiving a music diploma, when pop music was forbidden in Iran, Aghili entered the "music school of television."  Around 1995 the first pop music permitted after the revolution was played on official Iranian television.  This was dramatic music with Ahmad Shamlou's poetry read by Khashayar Etemadi.

Aghili composed a great deal of music for other singers.  Finally, in 1997, his first album was presented, Bahareman (My spring), which was a collection of classic and folkloric music played and arranged by Aghili (violin, guitar, piano, and keyboard).  In the same year his voice was heard in Mabood, his first vocal music, and afterward he continued work that resulted in Mosafer (The traveler), his first complete vocal album. In 1999 he created a revolutionary album, Dehati (The villager), with rock and roll, 6'n'8 and popular rhythms. However, none of his songs were permitted to be played on public media (i.e. TV). Shadmehr worked hard to get permission for his Adam o Hava (Adam & Eve), an album that was supposed to be released in 2001. However, not only he did not, but also, he was banned to work as a singer, musician, or to appear on TV shows.

Having left with no better choice, he decided to leave Iran in 2002, in order to continue his music in Canada, away from any restrictions. Khiali Nist ("No Worries"), Adamforoush ("Traitor", 2004) and "Popcorn" are his most recent albums released in Canada and the United States. In addition, Shadmehr acted in two movies, namely, Pare Parvaz (2000) and Shabe Berahneh (2001).

In October 2006, Shadmehr entered the United States to perform a U.S. tour with his first concert date scheduled for November 17, 2006 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. Shadmehr Aghili is now living with his wife, 'Mia Mesa, in Los Angeles, California. Rage Khaab (2005) relesed in Iran.He is the first Iranian who entered Mandolin in Iranian musics in (Mashkook) and (Yekari kon) singles in Sabab album.

In addition, Shadmehr acted in two movies, namely, Pare Parvaz (2000) and Shabe Berahneh(2001).

In October 2006, Shadmehr entered the United States to perform a U.S. tour with his first concert date scheduled for November 17, 2006 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. Shadmehr Aghili is now living with his wife, Mia Mesa, in Los Angeles California.  He will release his new album called Taghdir (Destiny) in mid 2009.

Arash Labaf (born 1977 in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian singer, dancer, entertainer and producer residing in Malmö, Sweden. He grew up in Tehran (the capital city of Iran) where he spent his first 10 years. Like many people from Iran he moved to Europe. In the late 801s he moved to Sweden with his parents. The family first moved to a city called Uppsala where they stayed for 5 years. From Uppsala they moved to Malmö where Arash still lives.

He grew up in the Iranian capital of Tehran and at the age of 10, his family moved to Uppsala Sweden before moving to Malmö five years later. His debut album, Arash, was released in June 2005, after he had finished College. His singles, Boro Boro (Go Away) and Temptation (feat Rebecca Zadig) made it to the hit lists around Europe.

Arash appeared in DJ Aligator's (also of Persian origin) "Music is My Language" as the song's Persian-language vocalist.

Sahba Motallei was born in 1978 in Tehran, Iran, and started playing traditional Persian music very early on.   She is a graduate of Tehran Conservatory where she mastered playing Tar and Setar (traditional Persian instruments) under the instructions of master Fariborz Azizi.

She further enhanced her performance of the renowned capabilities by enjoying the direct guidance of the renowned master of traditional Persian music, Hossein Alizadeh, and the respected music theoretician, Dr Mehran Rouhani. She continued her formal music studies in composition at St Petersburgh Conservatory, Russia. she also attended the R.G.S University, Turkey, for a comparative study of Persian and Turkish music.

Experience and Achievements

Sahba was awarded and recognized as the best Tar player by the Iranian Music Festival for four years in a row, from 1995 to 1998.

In 2000 she joined the Iranian National Orchestra and since then she has been traveling around the world to present Persian music. Sahba has recorded several CDs and composed numerous theatrical peaces.

Currently she is a resident of Southern California where she spends most of her time teaching Tar and Setar to her students.

Hichkas alias Soroush Lashkari is an Iranian hiphop artist who was born in Tehran in 1985. 6 years of continual activity made many believe that he is the leader of Persian Underground Music.

“Ye mosht sarbaz ” is his most popular song , released in 2008. He has featured Eblis and Enzo (both marked as one of the most popular iranian rappers) in this party song. In 2006 he released his first album called ‘Jangale Asphalt’ (lt: Asphalt Jungle ), the title is a tribute to the famous movie Asphalt Jungle movie that Marilyn Monroe has appeared in and now he’s the owner of SAMET company.

Born In 1982 - Tehran, YAS first began to listen to rap music at the age of 16, when his father would return from his business trips in Germany and bring him the latest Tupac CD and other hip hop music. After the sudden and untimely death of his father, YAS was faced with the responsibility of becoming the primary care taker of his household. With his father's debts mounting and barely being able to make ends meet to live and feed the family, YAS at the age of 18 was forced to leave his college ambitions behind and begin to work and support his entire family (his mother, younger brother and triplet sisters). It was at this time that he began to write poetry which soon turned into text lyrics for his music. It was also his way of staying close to his father's memory.

After the Bam earthquake in Iran, YAS was devastated at the number of lives lost (nearly 50,000 people) in the disaster, it was then, that he wrote his first song "Bam". This was the beginning of his singing career. He realized that through rap music he had the ability to reach people by telling full stories that he thought was not easy to do through other forms of music which only consisted of a few versus and a chorus. Realizing that through his music, he had the ability to inspire people and reach millions of other young people in Iran, he decided to present his songs to the government and request a permission to release an album. Many years of being denied of releasing his music to the public and being ridiculed countless times for his singing style (rap) resembling that of "reading a newspaper", his efforts, finally paid off. To date, in an unprecedented move, six of his ten songs have been granted permission to be released in the Islamic Republic of Iran. "I don't curse in my music or sing about sex and violence. I want to be able to proudly sing my music in front of my family. My music usually begins with a complaint or the social ills of my society -- but it always ends with hope. It's important to inspire the younger generations to be their best potential. We need this." Indeed, in a short amount of time, YAS went from singing in front of small groups to now being one of Iran's 1 hip hop artist. His music is now being listened to and downloaded by millions across the world through various websites and hundreds of Persian blogs.

In 2006, YAS wrote a song called "CD ro Beshkan" (Break That CD), which was written about a well known female actress in Iran who was the victim of sex scandal tape that was being circulated. The scandal ultimately ended her blossoming career. In the song YAS criticizes the people for playing a role in her demise and asked everyone to stop spreading her shame and to get rid of that infamous footage from their computers and mobile phones. The song hit a nerve among the Iranian youth and thousands wrote in and confessed that they went ahead and ‘broke that CD'. The song was listened to and downloaded by millions in Iran alone. YAS' music has crossed the International waters and he is now fast becoming the voice of his generation -- for Iranians inside and outside of their country who often refer to him as the "Persian Tupac".

YAS' song, "Hoviate Man" (My Identity) sings of his pride in his Persian heritage and a mention of the controversial movie "300". The song has become sort of a national anthem for the younger generations especially the Iranian Diaspora that are eager to connect to their rich culture and history. His music has set a new standard for Persian rap and has inspired many up and coming rappers to follow his lead and sing of more meaningful and positive messages in their own music and when he is not recording himself, you will find him collaborating with other musicians so that together they can "introduce Persian rap to the world".

Indeed, YAS' message of hope and unity has been heard across the waters -- he has been featured and interviewed by the media worldwide, including CNN, BBC and National Geographic (cover story on Persia August 2008). He has also just signed a contract with an American music publishing company; Modiba Publishing (Evergreen Publishing) (Ironically, Evergreen Publishing is also the home of the late Tupac Shakur catalogue who has granted permission for a mashup song between YAS and Tupac to show how hip hop can help bridge the cultural divide between us ). After his very successful live performances in London and Dubai in 2008, YAS is currently writing and recording new music which he will be performing for audiences and students across the US. His tour will continue throughout 2009 in Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

 

Hengameh was born in Lahijaan, Iran. Together with her parents and her older sister, she moved to Tehran at age three. Ever since childhood, she had a great passion for singing and performing. Hengameh's father was first to detect this passion. The never ending love and support of her father that was quite evident from the very early stages of Hengameh's life further motivated and encouraged her to take music lessons with some of the masters of Persian classical music. Being a proficient ney and flute player, Hengameh's father believed that she should learn the Persian classical music modes, "Radif" and develop a strong theoretical foundation, as he himself was very much interested and knowledgeable in this genre of music.

Hengameh enjoyed the support of her family and friends, as she grew older. Throughout her school years, she participated in numerous local and regional talent contests and always managed to come first amongst her peers. She always dreamt of becoming a professional singer after finishing high school, but this dream could never be fulfilled for as long as the changes that were imposed by the new Islamic Republic government were there to stay. After finishing high school, Hengameh married and soon after, she gave birth to her only child, her daughter, but never stopped thinking about her life long dream of becoming a singer. Hengameh eventually realized that she had no choice but to leave her beloved homeland and migrate abroad if she was ever to pursue her dream.

In 1992, Hengameh moved to Vancouver, Canada with her husband and daughter. In Vancouver, she first met Ali Elahi (keyboard player), and Fereydoon (singer), and through them she was introduced to Kamran (singer), and Ramin Zamani (Song writer, producer). In 1995 Hengameh, Fereydoon, and Kamran started to work on a collaborative effort with Ramin Zamani. They produced their first single titled, "Iranam", which was about to gain much popularity for the three singers in a very short period of time. Their popularity was now extended beyond Vancouver, and the larger Iranian population in Los Angeles was suddenly interested in their talent.

With further opportunities in the Los Angeles area, each singer began to pursue his/her individual careers. Although Hengameh was in touch with many producers, she remained loyal to Ramin Zamani who has had much influence on her music carrier. Her debut album, "Baray-e Didan-e To" was the result of a five years joint effort, which was cherished by millions across the world. This intense interest and loyal fan support paved the way for the release of a second album, "Artesh-e Solh". The new album undoubtedly opened a new chapter in Hengameh's singing carrier. A talent that was born years ago was now a dream come true. The tremendous love and support from her fans and the respect from the Iranian music society has reinforced the desire in Hengameh to press on and take steps in becoming part of a heritage, that of Iranian Music history.

Fa-egheh Atashin, nick-named Googoosh, was born in 1950 in Azarbayjan--a province in Iran. She lost her mother when she was an infant and moved with her father to Tehran. Her father, Saber, was an entertainer and a comedian and he encouraged Googoosh to sing in bars and cafes in Laleh-Zar street of Tehran when she was only 5 years old. Her singing at such an early age prevented her from getting any kind of a primary education. In 1960, when she was only 10 years old, she had a successful role in the movie "Fereshteye Farari", a film by Gorji Abadia. Her first experience with cinema, however, was a movie by the title of "Beam va Omid" in 1958. Googoosh was discovered by Iranian composers for her natural singing talent, where she created a unique style in modern Iranian music and became a pop culture icon among the Iranian youth. In 1969, the notorious "mini-joupe" dress was a fashion among young Iranian girls who immitated Googoosh. Her famous short hair cut in 1975 is still popular amoung females in Iran. Googoosh is said to have been a victim of underworld organizations who controlled cabarets and bars in Tehran. One of the underworld bosses, Parviz Ghorbani, the owner of "Shokoufeh Nou" cabaret was the brain behind conspiracy against Googoosh where he made created enormous debt in her name. There are rumors that she was raped when she was 18 by "Shapour Gholamreza", the Shah's brother. In 1973 she married Ghorbani against her will to pay her debts. She has a son " Kambiz" from her first marriage. Googoosh starred in many popular movies, among which "Bita", "Honeymoon", "Hamsafar", "Mamal Amrikaie" and "Dar Emtedad-e Shab" are the most popular. She also starred in "Seh Divaneh" with Garsha Raoofi and Motevaselani. Her acting career ended with the 1979 revolution in Iran. She acted with Behrooz Vosooghi, the most popular actor of his time, in several movies and later joined Saeed Kangarani in the erotic movie "Dar Emtedad-e Shab", which was well-received by Iranians, as well as other Middle Eastern countries. Critics, however, never considered Googoosh a successful actress. In 1976 she married Vosoughi, but their marriage only lasted for one year. Before their marriage, Vosoughi was already engaged to Pouri Banaii, another popular actress. This marriage, however, ended the friendship between Banaii and Googoosh. With the Islamic commotion of 1979, Googoosh stopped her 25-years of singing and acting career for good. She also refused to leave Iran and consistently rejected lucrative offers for recording new albums outside the country. According to Parviz Khatibi, the late Iranian director, Googoosh left Iran right after the revolution and stayed in New York for a while. This stay, however, was so short that many Iranians don't remember it. Currently, she is married to Masood Kimiaee and resides in an apartment in north of Tehran. On July 2000, Googoosh finally broke 21 years of silence by announcing an unexpected, but much anticipated, North American tour, starting in Toronto. To date, concerts have been performed in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Other tours are expected in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and San Jose, with many more tour dates added on a weekly basis, due to sold-out performances.

Googoosh is the most familiar name for Iranians. Just search for her name or photos on the net and you will see for yourself. Fa-egheh Atashin, nick-named Googoosh, was born in 1950 in Sarcheshme street in Tehran, Iran. Her parents separated when she was an infant and she had to live with her father, Saber, who was an entertainer and a comedian. It was Saber who encouraged Googoosh to sing in bars and cafés in Laleh-Zar street in Tehran when she was only 3 years old. The story goes this way. One night Saber who was supposed to start his program complained of heartburn and was rushed to the hospital. The owner of the Crystal Cafe who had seen little Googoosh singing woke her up and asked her to sing for the audience. They brought a chair and made her stand on it to reach the mike and she started singing popular songs of Delkash and Pouran. The chemistry she left on the ordinary pgoogoosh child stareople was magical in a way that the owner of the café retired her father and hired her for 500 Rials a night. Interestingly enough her father's wage was only 200 Rials and the three-year-old Googoosh became the actual bread-winner of the family. Although in her private life she experienced hardship and bitterness, growing up with a mean step-mother, her fame grew day by day and people from all over the country came to Crystal Cafe to see this new artistic phenomenon. Her singing at such an early age prevented her from getting on with her education and she left the school after completing the primary school . In 1957, when she was only 7 years old, Googoosh started her acting career in the movie "Bim-o-Omid" and the following year had a successful role in the movie "Fereshteye Farari", both directed by Gorji Ebadia. She Acted in more than 40 movies and got a Sepas prize for her wonderful appearance in the 1970 avant-garde movie Bita. Googoosh was discovered by Iranian composers for her natural singing talent, where she created a unique style in modern Iranian music googoosh at 19and became a pop culture icon among the Iranian youth. She recorded more than 200 songs in Farsi which were embraced by various generations. She also made numerous trips to Europe and recorded songs in Italian, Spanish, English and French with Barclay Records and RCA Italiana. Her French numbers and Italian Album reached the top charts in 1970 and brought her international fame. She got the first prize of the Midem festival in Cannes and took part in San Remo Festival in 1973. She was also embraced in her trips to Arab and North African countries googoosh in a movie and got the honorary medal of arts from Tunisia. In 1970s, the notorious "mini-joupe" dress was a fashion among young Iranian girls who imitated Googoosh. Her famous short hair cut in 1975 is still popular among females in Iran. With the Islamic commotion of 1979, Googoosh stopped her 25-years of singing and acting career for good. She also refused to leave Iran and googoosh on the stage consistently rejected lucrative offers for recording new albums outside the country. Googoosh left Iran right after the revolution and stayed in New York for a while. This stay, however, was so short that many Iranians don't remember it. Despite her reclusion and silence her fame and popularity grew by hour in the central Asian republics especially in Tajikestan. On July 2000, Googoosh finally broke 21 years of silence by announcing an unexpected, but much anticipated, North American tour, starting in Toronto and later on in 26 more destinations including Los Angeles, Oakland, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Jose, as well as European cities and the Middle East. On her come-back tour she released an album called Zoroaster which is said to be one of her best works ever, some of its melodies were composed by herself for the first time. More than 300,000 Iranian ex-patriots welcomed her on her return tour and filled sport arenas all over the world in her honor. She now travels between her two houses in LA and Toronto and is said to be recording new songs. Her latest album Akharin Khabar (Last News) got sky-rocket sale all over the world and broke records of all Persian albums ever. Rumors has it that Googoosh is recording new songs in English and Spanish and of course Farsi. She has recorded many new songs and acted in many music videos, in one of them she played Charles Chaplin which shows her spectacular acting capabilities.

Spouse

Masud Kimiai	(1985 - 2003)
Dariush Eghbali	(1976 - 1978) (divorced)
Behrouz Vossoughi	(1975 - 1976)
Mahmoud Ghorbani	(1972 - 1975) 1 child

 

Ebrahim Hamedi or better known as "Ebi" was born in 1328 in Tehran, Iran. Ebi started his career with Shahram Shahpareh. After a while they separated, and each continued their own separate career. Before coming to the US Ebi won many prizes in singing competition around the world. He spans generations of admiring fans with his alluring voice and charming personality. With unforgettable oldies reminiscent of the past, to new favorites such as "Khali," Ebi never ceases to amaze his diverse fan base, releasing best-selling albums and performing sold out concerts year after year.

Rice University's Farinaz Koushanfar was named to MIT Technology Review's TR35 in 2008 for innovations that stop computer chip piracy. Photo by Tommy LaVergne/Rice University Rice University's Farinaz Koushanfar, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been named to MIT Technology Review magazine's coveted 2008 list of the world's 35 Top Young Innovators. Koushanfar was recognized for developing new techniques that microchip designers can use to fight hardware piracy, a growing problem that's already believed to cost chipmakers several billion dollars per year.

The annual MIT TR35 list recognizes accomplished individuals under age 35 whose cutting-edge research exemplifies the spirit of innovation. The 35 are chosen from a field of more than 300 nominees. They come from disciplines as diverse as biotechnology, medicine, computing and nanotechnology. "In two short years at Rice, Dr. Koushanfar has firmly established herself as a leader in her field," said Rice President David Leebron. "Her work will make computers more secure and efficient for people all around the world, and she is richly deserving of Technology Review's prestigious TR35 honor." Last year, Koushanfar published a new method that allows chip designers to lock and remotely activate chips with a unique ID tag. The method exploits the inherent, miniscule and unclonable variations that occur between the individual microchips that are printed from the same blueprints. In some cases, these variations are so slight they amount to just a few atoms that are out of place. With Koushanfar's chip-locking technology, only a chip's patent holder can decipher the unique key and activate the chip -- meaning knockoffs and stolen chips are worthless to pirates. The work is being extensively expanded to create higher-level security mechanisms, chips with multiple personalities and third-party intellectual property protection and reuse.

TR35 award winners are selected by Technology Review's editors and a panel of independent judges from major institutions and corporations such as MIT, BP, Digg, Del.icio.us, IBM Watson Research Center, Xerox Corp., and Princeton, Yale and Texas A&M universities. "The TR35 honors young innovators for accomplishments that are poised to have a dramatic impact on the world as we know it," said Jason Pontin, editor-in-chief and publisher of Technology Review magazine. "We celebrate their success and look forward to their continued advancement of technology in their respective fields." Koushanfar and the other TR35 winners will be featured in the September issue of Technology Review magazine and honored at Technology Review's EmTech08 Conference to be held at MIT in Cambridge, Mass., Sept. 23-25.