Singing sensations

"After passing two independent judging rounds Feritta has made it to the grand final of UK’s Highland Uproar Competition. Making it to the top 10 performers there is now a public vote to decide the winner. Please make your vote count! Voting is on now and finishes December 16, 5 p.m. UK time,” announced a post, dated December 7, 2011 on Feritta Khambatta’s website.

The songstress has tasted success since 2006-07 when she was twice voted Best Female Solo Artist Australia in the International Music Aid Awards and a two WAMi (West Australia Music Industry) nominee. For Feritta, her first experience in the music recording industry was disappointing and more than acclaim that she sought "there was a growing tide of advice telling her to give up music and get a ‘real job.’” Her persistence to write, sing and perform live was rewarded when she was introduced to UK writers and producers Dean Hopkins and Brian Highet of Cube. Recording several tracks with Cube, Boyfriend went on to become No. 1 on the mp3.com.au charts.

After Cube disbanded Feritta and Hopkins initiated a fusion Indian/R&B (rhythm and blues) project when their first collaboration Don’t Tell Me That You’re Sorry reached No. 2 on the mp3.com.au charts and remained in the R&B top 20 for over a year.

Additionally Feritta has had several No. 1 hits on the Broadjam charts and has featured on the Pop Top 10, Contemporary R&B Top Ten, Production Top 10, Female Vocal Top 10, Australian Top 10, California Top 10 among others. Often two tracks would dominate a single Top Ten chart at the same time, mentions her website. Performing and promoting her album A Journey Begins was an equally exhilarating experience for the artiste.

The singer has also won recognition from German Trance Producer Ronski Speed, UK’s disc jockey and radio host Bobby B, Australian producer Suki D and US/Desi producer Kenz Desai. Recently the writer-performer turned producer for the three Hindi songs she launched under her first independent film project "The Taste of Relation.”

Her foray into singing started when as a young kid she enjoyed singing for choirs. At the age of 11 she was awarded a scholarship to study the clarinet for two years. But music took a backseat when her parents insisted she focus on academics. As notes her biography on her website, "Her teenage years were a tricky balancing act of trying to be a normal Aussie teenage girl and trying to please her traditional, conservative parents.” Although she pursued University studies, Feritta realized her true passion was music and studied vocal music with Lucy D’Olimpio of Harmony School of Voice and Music.

At the Fourth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in Ballarat, Victoria in 2007-08, the entertainment extravaganza opened with Khambatta’s song, The Light, expressing the value of unity and faith. It was the official theme song of the Congress.

Feritta is currently working with a US company DonEProductions. With a business degree in hand, the savvy singer is branching out into merchandizing and will soon be launching her own fashion and accessories label.

Clockwise from top: Feritta Khambatta, Mahyar Kavoosi and Bestoor Behizadeh

Didane To, Bestoor Behizadeh’s debut music video earned over 2,500 hits within the first hour of its launch this year. He was listed among the "Most Popular Singers” on Radio Javan within the first two days of his video launch. His song has also been showcased on Iran Proud TV, Bidar TV, ONM Voice & Radio Nabz. His interview with Tehran Magazine was showcased on its cover page, notes a brief write-up by Meher Amalsad in the FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) Journal, Fall 2011.

"This video is a culmination of Zarathushti talent because the music, lyrics, arrangement and performance are all created by Zarathushtis,” notes his website. "As you watch this music video, check out the beautiful Fravahar on him. He is proud to demonstrate our Zarathushti spirit to the world for which I commend him,” urges his website carrying a message from his father Dr Kurosh, "It is my distinctive pleasure to share with you the latest work of my talented son Bestoor.”

Born in Kerman, to Kurosh and his German wife Margit, Bestoor is the youngest of four brothers. His parents were both instrumental in encouraging and supporting his passion for singing, notes his life profile. Having migrated to the US at the age of 17 he currently resides in California. Besides graduating in biology from the University of California, Bestoor has acted in the Iranian film Milad and subsequently hosted a TV show "Cravate” on Tamasha in USA.

Bestoor is "blessed with a gifted voice (and) has a promising future in the music industry,” writes Amalsad. As commended one of his admirers Fereshta N. Irani, "I was born in Tehran and stayed there for the first seven years of my life and have heard quite a few Persian songs. This song has brought back those sweet memories… Please keep composing such lovely numbers.”

Yet another singer of Iranian origin who has generated interest is Mahyar Kavoosi who enjoys the distinction of being the first Persian minority singer who was licensed to sing by the Islamic Government of Iran. His music album is titled YEK (One).

"My goal is to become successful not just in the Persian music industry but also across the world… But I am determined to continue my journey on the path of righteousness,” conveyed Mahyar in an interview with Amalsad in FEZANA Journal. He further elaborated, "In order to be a winner in the music career sometimes an artiste has to deal in such a way that is not in accordance with the three Zarathushti tenets; e.g. in order to become popular one has to sometimes lie, cheat and even sing certain songs that are detrimental for the minds of our younger generation… Many of my famous singer friends have told me that if I remain genuine and pure in the music industry, I would not last in this profession.”

His interest in music was roused since his childhood when his mother who played the daf and sang would entertain people at Pire Sabz, Pire Naraki and Pire Herisht. At the age of 11 his father bought him a keyboard and registered him for piano lessons. "I fulfilled my passion by learning the guitar and singing. In addition to singing and playing instruments, my interests include composing, arranging, mixing and mastering music. Along with my musical involvement I studied microbiology at University to satisfy my love for health sciences,” writes Mahyar on his Facebook account, adding, "Music has always been my passion and number one priority. However I believe education is the fundamental building block.”

Having relocated to the US since last year, Mahyar who is now based in California plans to continue his major in Allied Health.