MARJAN RAVANDI

QCEG : When you close your eyes and think of your childhood in Iran, what melodies from that time still echo in your heart?

Marjan Ravandi : The musical memories of my childhood feel like an emotional archive. The melodies may have changed, but the curiosity and freedom I felt with sound remain. I remember Iranian instruments filling our home, the recitation of Rumi and Hafez, and the stories my grandfather, Morteza Ravandi — one of Iran’s renowned historians — would share. Growing up between modernity and tradition taught me to honour heritage while exploring creativity. Every time I play the oud, I return to that world of poetry, warmth, and belonging.

QCEG : Can you remember the first moment the oud spoke to you — not just as an instrument, but as the voice of your soul?

Marjan Ravandi : I began with violin and piano, which gave me discipline and foundation. But discovering the oud as a teenager transformed my understanding of music — it felt like a living voice, deeply connected to who I am. Historically, few women have played the oud, yet the instrument carries a delicate, feminine energy. That realisation inspired me to study it seriously, earning both my diploma and degree in music.

Today, as Director of the International Music Department at Cavendish College London, I develop programmes for Eastern instruments and vocals that give students worldwide access to recognised qualifications — helping preserve and elevate traditional music globally.

The oud became more than what I play; it is how I express myself and honour tradition while inspiring others.

QCEG : Who were the hidden musical heroes in your life growing up, whose influence you carry even today?

Marjan Ravandi : My greatest influence was my oud teacher, Mansour Nariman, often called the father of the oud in Iran. Learning from him was more than technique — it was a lesson in love, humanity, and respect through music. My grandfather, my teachers, and the blend of Western and Iranian sounds I grew up with continue to guide how I listen, create, and feel music.

QCEG : Music is often a journey of courage. How did you summon courage when your dreams seemed impossible?

Marjan Ravandi : Courage, to me, is staying true to your own voice. Whenever I doubted, I remembered why I picked up the oud: because it felt alive and spoke to me. That love for sound became my strength.

QCEG : How do you nurture the mindset that turns challenges into opportunities, both on stage and in life?

Marjan Ravandi : I try to meet challenges with curiosity rather than fear. Each obstacle is an invitation to grow, to listen more deeply, and to express more honestly.

QCEG : Is there a guiding philosophy or mantra that fuels your creativity and determination?

Marjan Ravandi : Music is a conversation — not just with others, but with myself. Every note and every silence is a space to explore and understand. Determination comes from curiosity; creativity from deep listening.

QCEG : Leaving your homeland to pursue music must have been daunting. What fears did you confront, and how did you move forward?

Marjan Ravandi : Leaving Iran was more than a change of place — it was stepping beyond my comfort zone. I feared losing my roots, but music guided me. The oud reminded me why I was here: to share, to learn, and to grow.

QCEG : What was the moment you realised Paris could become your stage, and your music could reach the world?

Marjan Ravandi : Paris has always felt like a home for art. I’ll never forget one of my early performances here — people from many backgrounds were moved to tears by the oud’s vibration. That’s when I knew Paris could be my stage, a place where my music could connect hearts beyond language.

QCEG : How has living between two cultures shaped not just your music, but your identity as an artist?

Marjan Ravandi : Living between two cultures gives me both grounding and freedom. I carry the heritage of Iranian music and poetry while embracing the diversity of Paris. This duality pushes me to experiment yet stay true to the oud’s soul. It defines me as an artist who belongs everywhere and nowhere at once.

QCEG : When you perform, what story do you hope the oud tells — one that words alone cannot convey?

Marjan Ravandi : I hope the oud speaks of emotions and connections that transcend words. Music is a universal language of love, humanity, and peace — a bridge that unites people through vibration and feeling.

QCEG : How do collaborations with artists from different countries and traditions transform your music?

Marjan Ravandi : Collaborations remind me that music truly has no borders. The oud can converse with any instrument or style, carrying messages of understanding and harmony. These encounters continually expand my creative vision.

QCEG : Can you share a performance that left you forever changed — by the audience or by the experience itself?

Marjan Ravandi : One unforgettable concert in Paris left the audience in tears. They said the oud’s vibrations lifted them to the sky. That moment revealed to me the power of music to reach hearts beyond culture or language.

QCEG : Your last concert in Paris was a huge success. How did that experience influence you going forward?

Marjan Ravandi : That concert in Paris was more than just a performance — it felt like a cultural meeting point. We had four different backgrounds coming together: the sound of the church organ, my own oud, and two incredible soprano opera singers. It created a new musical language, something none of us had experienced before. What moved me most was how naturally these traditions blended — Eastern and Western, classical and folkloric, spiritual and emotional. It reminded me that music is a universal voice. When sounds from different worlds come together, they don’t just create harmony — they create hope. That night made me believe even more that music can be a bridge — between cultures, between histories, and perhaps even between wounds. In a world that often echoes with conflict, I want to keep playing the sound of love and let it travel further each time.

QCEG : If you could send a message through your music to the world, what would it be?

Marjan Ravandi : That harmony is possible — between cultures, between hearts, and between humans and nature. Every note is an invitation to listen, to feel, and to share peace.

QCEG : What dreams do you still chase that keep your heart and fingers moving across the oud strings?

Marjan Ravandi : I dream of making the oud — still little known worldwide — recognised as a voice of beauty and depth. As a woman, I feel a special responsibility to share its delicate yet powerful vibration. Every time I play, I carry a message of love, connection, and transcendence.

QCEG : Marjan, what’s next on your musical journey? I’ve heard you might be performing in Abu Dhabi with Ferrouze Gadery, Director of the Emirates Choir Association (ECA). Can you tell us more?

Marjan Ravandi : Yes, that’s true — and I’m very excited about it. I’ll be performing in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Ferrouze Gadery, Director of the Emirates Choir Association. What makes this project special is not just the music, but the vision behind it. We’re working on a programme that brings together voices, instruments, and cultures in a way that reflects the spirit of the UAE — a place where tradition and modernity, East and West, coexist naturally. For me, it’s another step in my journey of building musical bridges. After Paris, I felt a strong urge to continue creating projects that unite people through sound. And Abu Dhabi is the perfect stage for that — a city where diversity isn’t merely accepted, but celebrated. I can’t reveal everything yet, but I can say this: it will be more than a concert. It will be a shared human experience — one where music becomes a space of connection, beauty, and peace.

QCEG : Looking forward, how do you hope your journey inspires the next generation of musicians, especially those following their passion against all odds?

Marjan Ravandi : I hope my journey shows young musicians — especially women — that traditional instruments can have a global voice. At Cavendish College, I’m developing programmes for Eastern music aligned with UK standards, giving students worldwide access to professional qualifications. My mission is to help them see that their cultural roots can be their greatest strength.

“In 2026, I plan to continue with a series of concerts aligned with my artistic goals. Further details, including dates and locations, will be announced soon.”