Hajj Amin Elahi

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Hajj Amin Elahi (birth name Aminollah Nemati, legal name Aminollah Elahi) was born on March 2, 1919 in a small village in western Persia called Jeyhounabad, into a family of great spiritual lineage. Born into a Kurdish/Persian family he was the first son of Nur Ali Elahi and Khunoom Shawase. He was the first grandchild of Hajj Nematollah who is considered one of the greatest mystics in Kurdish / Ahl-e Haqq history. He received the title Hajj at a very young age after completing a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Soltan Sahak (14th century founder of the Ahl-I Haqq). Hajj Amin was a true humanitarian and philanthropist who devoted his life to helping others.

Hajj Amin was a master at the art of tanbur (Persian lute, forefather to all stringed instruments), a mystical leader of the Ahl-e Haqq (followers of truth) order, master at the Kurdish dance, a great flute (nay) player, a true scholar, and a historian. In 1983 he moved to Lyon, France with his family. He remained in Lyon until he passed away on March 23, 2004 at 11am, at the age of 85.

[edit] His music

The unique and angelic style of Hajj Amin’s tanbur playing was unlike any of his predecessors. He was exposed to the beautiful melodies of the tanbur from birth due to the fact his father was the most respected tanbur player in Kurdistan, Persia and in fact the world. In the late 1940s he was one of the first people to ever document and record the ancient melodies of the tanbur.

His style which is known as the “Hajj-Amini” style has become universally accepted by many mainstream tanbur players. He had a very consecutive, steady and harmonic flow to his music that is unique to his style of playing. Almost everyone who heard the beautiful melodies of his sacred music felt instantly transported and captured by its grandeur.

His legacy was one of kindness, compassion, love, and unity. He always sought to remind us of God's greatness and kindness. In 2004, thousands of people mourned his death worldwide which was also noted in the New York Times.

[edit] External links

• Tanbur Society for the preservation and propagation of the tanbur.