Bahman Rajabi, one of Iran’s most prominent tombak players and educators, passed away today, Wednesday, September 10, in Tehran due to cardiac arrest. He was 86 years old and devoted nearly six decades of his life to the advancement of Persian music.
Born in 1939 in Rasht, Rajabi began his professional career in the early 1970s, focusing on solo and duo performances of tombak. His distinctive sound can be heard in numerous landmark recordings, including “Savaran-e Dasht-e Omid” composed by Hossein Alizadeh and “Golchin I & II” composed by Reza Shafieian. His last public performance dates back to 2005, when he appeared with the “Melal Orchestra.”
Beyond performance, Rajabi was a prolific teacher and author. He published several instructional volumes for tombak, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, which remain widely used in music education. His influence on shaping a new generation of tombak players is considered enduring and significant.
Rajabi was also an innovator. According to music experts, he introduced eleven new variations of riz (finger rolls), expanding the expressive range of the instrument and leaving a lasting imprint on tombak technique.
With his passing, the Iranian music community bids farewell to a towering figure whose artistry and pedagogy opened new horizons for Persian percussion and enriched the broader tradition of Iranian classical music.
