commentary

• Iranian literature and performing arts have always been restricted and censored for morality and political aspects, due to autocratic governments.
• Painting and sculpture has been impacted since 622 CE based on the influence of religion. Islamic art is non-figural because many Muslims believe that the depiction of the human form (i.e. in paintings and sculpture) is idolatry , and thereby a sin against God, forbidden in the Qur’an. Therefore Calligraphy and architectural elements are given important significance. Nevertheless, eventually figurative representations as ornaments within a larger context, started to appear in Iranian miniature paintings, textile and pottery.
• With the Islamic Revolution of 1979, restrictions have been placed on women singing. These first prohibited all singing but evolved into a ban on women singing solo in front of men who are unrelated to them. Female vocalists can perform for male audiences only as a part of a chorus. Conservative clerics say women’s voices have the potential to trigger immoral sensual – or kinetic – arousal.
• Ayatollah Khomeini’s declaration “We are not against cinema; we are against prostitution” made clear the regime’s sensitivity to the portrayal of women in cinema.
• Despite all these restrictions, Iranian art, music and literature, with the emphasis on keeping Iranian originality versus western influence, have prospered and have gained universal recognition and awards. And in some cases, because of it, it has attracted some talented conservatives too.