| Hassan Zirak Hesen Zîrek حەسەن زیرەک |
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|---|---|
| Birth name | Hassan Zirak |
| Born | November 29, 1921 Bukan, West Azarbaijan, Iran |
| Died | June 26, 1972 (aged 50) Bukan, West Azarbaijan, Iran |
| Genres | Classical, folk, Kurdish |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocal |
| Years active | 1956–1972 |
Hassan Zirek or Hesen Zîrek (1921–1972) was a celebrated Kurdish singer from Iran, known for his recordings of classical Kurdish folk songs. He was famous for his erotic and sensual lyrics, and it's believed that he composed over thousand songs in his life time.[1]
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He was born in Harmelah (Hermêle), a small village around Bukan in Eastern Kurdistan. Zirek was born to Abdulla Zirek and Amina, the title of his name was Erlume from his father which means, "clever" in Kurdish and some contribute it to his fathers talents and abilities that he showed during his work in the Xan of the Agha of Hermêle. Hassan had also a brother and sister, Hussein and Mina. He was only a child when his father died. At the age of 12 he began to work for the 'Agha of Hermêle, at which his voice was a major source for the entertainment of the people in the villages. After one year he left the village he was born in, and headed to the main Kurdish cities and worked in Kurdish restaurants. He showed his singing talents in his early age. In 1953, he left East Kurdistan for Southern Kurdistan and recorded a great number of songs in Kurdish for the Kurdish section of the Baghdad broadcasting station. In 1957 he started a cooperation with music section of the Kurdish radio station in Kermanshah, where he recorded several Kurdish songs.
Hassan Zirak died from cancer at age of 51 on June 26, 1972 and was buried around his native city Bukan, on Nalashkenah (Kurdish: Nalishkêne) mountain one of the most famous mountains of the region which lies close to the city. He is considered as one of the most popular and well known singers in Kurdistan.