According to Hebrew media reports, the music of Israeli singer and actress Liraz Chalhi, recorded in collaboration with Iranian artists, has been widely associated with recent protests in the Islamic Republic.
Chahi, who plays a Mossad spy on the Israeli television series Tehran, has recorded music remotely with anonymous Iranian musicians in the past. Her latest album, titled “Roya” (fantasy in Persian), was recorded in Istanbul earlier this year in person with four of her Iranian artists, Channel 12 news reported.
Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has viewed the Jewish state as an enemy, with Iran punishing visits and even artistic cooperation.
According to the network, Charhi’s lyrics are, “How long shall we keep silent, how long shall we keep our heads down?” Accompanying protest videos and rallies in Iran, 22-year-old Masa Amini died in moral police custody after being arrested for violating the country’s strict dress code.
Charhi told Channel 12 that her first album “Naz” featuring Iranian artists soon arrived in the Islamic Republic and became popular among Iranians after its release in 2018.
“I immediately received a video of a woman taking off her chador at an underground party and dancing to these songs,” she said.
After collaborating with Iranian artists again on their second album Zan, Charhi invited the musicians to meet in secret in Istanbul in February to record their third album. Turkey is one of the few countries Iranians can travel to without a visa.
Artists participated on the condition that their faces would be blurred in the photos taken and their names would not be published anywhere.
“I have been waiting so long to see my Iranian friends and family.
One of the musicians told Channel 12:
“I know it can be dangerous, but I do what I love,” he added.
After recording the album, Chahi went on tour in the summer and was offered the opportunity by the Jewish Cultural Festival to perform with Iranian collaborators in a scheduled performance at the Old Synagogue in Krakow, Poland.
The artists agreed to perform as long as they were masked. Charhi told her Channel 12 that the golden hijabs were woven to hide their identities, but one of her artists insisted on showing part of her hair, according to reports. and she was later recognized and exiled for performing with an Israeli in Iran.
Since protests erupted in Iran, Charhi has received messages of support from Iranian fans on Instagram.
“Thank you for being our voice, I will never forget you,” read one message.
“I love your Persian songs. I hope one day you will sing in beautiful Tehran,” another supporter wrote.
An Oslo-based Iranian human rights group has reported that at least 92 protesters have died in a crackdown on demonstrations, now in its fourth week, which has heightened tensions between Iran and the West, particularly the United States.