Mohammad Eghbal: BIOGRAPHY
The beginnings
Mohammad was born on 10.04.1940 in Teheran, as son of a publisher. His father published papers and books about philosophy, poetry and mysticism. While he was still at school, one morning he met a dervish, playing on his reed pipe and singing verses by the persian mystic Rumi. This left a deep impression on him and the yearning for this attitude towards life always remained deep in his mind.
One day he found a plastic flute among his nephewÕs toys and went on playing on it for days. Playing the flute gave him a new sensation, and when he passed his school-leaving exams, he already mastered violin, mandolin, drums and transverse flute.
Studies in Germany
In 1960 Mohammad came to Germany to study architecture, and in the meantime was also mastering Tar, Charango and various native american flutes.
One day a friend, who had travelled in the Arabian countries, brought him a ney, an instrument he had been dreaming of since his childhood.
Mohammad tried to play it, put had to put it aside, as he yet lacked understanding for this instrument.
Return to Iran
After having finished his studies, he and his family moved to Persia. A few months later his wife and children returned to Germany and Mohammad stayed with his aged mother.ÊDuring this time he composed many songs for the persian oud (lute). After his mother’s death he returned to Düsseldorf to join his family. The only object which he was allowed to take with him from Iran was his oud.
Treading new paths
Together with his friend Ali, Mohammad discovered meditative music and tried to discover new forms of expression on the transversal flute.
He again came into contact with the verses of Rumi, which had accompanied him throughout his childhood, but only then did he become fully aware of the deeper meaning of this mystical poetry. The wheel turned full circle when a friend of his brought him a piece of reed from Greece.
Rumi and the ney
Mohammad experimented with this piece of reed and made his first ney. From this moment he was striving to perfect this simple instrument, that is yet so unbelievably difficult to master.
His understanding of RumiÕs work and his deeper insight the relations of life made the ney come to life and start to sing.
Austria
Since 1985 Mohammad Eghbal has been living in Upper Austria together with his wife and son. He has set up a studio and is holding seminars and workshops. In 1989 he founded the world music project AHURA and has since given many concerts all over Europe and in the USA.