Persian Dance

Persian dance is, more correctly, an umbrella term that designates all those dance styles that developed in the area of modern-day Iran. They span from the stylized classical forms derived from Persian courtrooms to the traditional folk dances of specific Iranian regions.

The history of dance in Iran can be traced back to prehistory. In ancient times it became a popular activity tightly linked to social, political, and religious events. It was performed on the occasion of the celebration of the god Mithra or, more informally, for banquets and other festivities. During the Hellenistic time, Greek theater and dance influenced Persian culture, and at the same time, they adapted to the Iranian taste.

With the advent of Islam, dance lost its public popularity, especially in the religious sphere, and the ancient form of Persian dance died out.

Even though the Shiite law formally prohibited dance performances, dance continued to survive. It thrived in the courts, where it flourished under the Safavid dynasty (16th-17th century) and the Qajar dynasty (18th-20th century) as a form of entertainment in the andarun (private areas reserved for women).

With the Islamic Revolution in 1979, dance was formally banned on stages as a form of public entertainment. Many dancers continued their activity “underground” and, with the diaspora after the Revolution, a new generation of Iranian dancers thrived abroad and passed on the art.

Despite prohibitions for professionals, dance is still a favorite social activity among Iranians, and it is usually performed privately at parties, significant celebrations of the Persian calendar, and family gatherings. Other forms of traditional dance survived in the different ethnic and regional groups in Iran, and they still play an essential role in the life of villages.

Classical Persian Dance is a form of stylized dance derived from Persian courts. It involves delicate and elegant movements of the upper body, arms, and hands. The music can be a song from the traditional Persian radif (collection of melodies), classical versions of popular songs, or classical rendition of famous poetry.

Qajar court dance is also a classical dance, and it recalls movements and aesthetics of the Qajar period (1789-1925). The music is usually lively and rhythmic with stronger accent. The dancer uses facial expressions or mimic to tell a story or to represent a typical court situation. A form of stylized and sometimes humorous coquetry (naz) is very typical of this style.

Contemporary Persian Dance is an experimental style, which blends together movements of Classical Persian Dance and techniques of Western Contemporary styles. The music keeps a traditional Persian flavour, but it uses modern or Western instruments.

Regional Dances: Iran has a lively and rich heritage of traditional folk dances. From the North to the South, dance is influenced by the different ethnic groups present in the country. Some examples of folk dance styles are Bandari (Persian Gulf), Ghasem Abadi (Gilan), Lori (Western Iran).