Currently in Moorpark College’s Life Drawing lab, Persian classical singer Mojgan Shajarian is taking new steps in expanding her artistic horizons.
Shajarian began studying at the age of 14 under the supervision of her internationally acclaimed Persian singer and composer father, Mohamed Reza Shajarian.
According to Shajarian, Iranian customs dictate that a woman’s voice cannot be heard without the accompaniment of a male voice. The fear is that the sound of women’s voices will cause immoral sensual arousal.
Not following these rules, Shajarian made herself a target for Iranian religious extremists.
“The government said that there are a lot of people in my country who are religiously strict and since the government cannot control them, they might hurt me,” Shajarian said.
Shajarian has endured continuous harassment, especially because she has spoken out about the issues women have been facing in Iran. Despite the numerous attempts to keep her quiet, the 45-year-old mother of three continues the cause.
“I have been interviewed by foreign news channels like BBC. They bring up political matters and I answer their questions. I talk to the press, and my government does not like it when people talk,” Shajarian said.
In 2012, Shajarian returned to the United States for her second American concert, but did not return back to Iran. One of the primary reasons was that she wanted to pursue her musical career as a solo artist.
“Women should be allowed to showcase their art and ensure that their children receive the same freedoms,” said Shajarian. “Women have a crucial role to play in society. Society depends on women as much as on men.”
The Iranian government offered Shajarian many opportunities to put on concerts for women only, but she refused.
“Once you agree with limitations, they will have power over you,” Shajarian said. “As long as you accept it, it will not stop.”
Although Shajarian currently holds two bachelors degrees in both art and painting, as well as a master’s degree in graphics, she continues to pursue her love of not just music, but fine art as well.
“Every person’s dream is to get to a stage where they feel that they are complete and they know everything they need to know in that field,” Shajarian said. “I don’t feel like that. I still have more to learn. I want to access all of my abilities in a field.”
Shajarian is currently enrolled in life drawing and sculpture classes at Moorpark where she is learning extensively about the human form in order to further her abilities as an artist.
“Art is always combined with [the] human soul,” said Shajarian. “Restricting people from pursuing art is unnatural. It’s like telling people not to drink water.”
