Ahmad Ebadi

Ahmad Eb?di (Persian: ???? ?????) (b. 1906 - d. 1992) (1285 - 1371 ?) was an Iranian musician and setar player. Born in Tehran, Iran. He was a member of the most extraordinary family of Iranian music. Ahmad's father, Mirza Abdollah, was arguably the most influential figure in Persian traditional music, and his paternal uncle, Mirza Hossein Gholi, was well-known for his mastery in playing the tar. Ahmad's paternal grandfather, Ali Akbar Farahani, was also a talented musician.

Eb?di started learning music at early age. Mirza Abdollah Farahani taught his son many Iranian songs. At the age of seven, Eb?di was able to play Tombak to accompany his father. Unfortunately he lost his father early, but he continued his education with his sisters, especially Moloud Khanom.

Eb?di became one of the best setar players of all time: he had a unique style of playing and invented a variety of different tunings for the setar. He had many students, and wrote many pieces for his instrument. For years he played on Iranian radio, especially in a program called Golha, produced by Davood Pirnia. He also recorded many albums. All of them are considered to be masterpieces of Iranian Music.

Ahmad Eb?di died in 1992 and is buried in Emamzadeh Taher Cemetery in Karaj.