DIYAAR Sunday was a day I will never forget. Thanks to Maryam Namazie for introducing me to Diyaar, a Women’s Daf (دف) group, set up by Maestro, Azin Marzabadi in 2017. The Daf drum is an ancient instrument; beautiful to look at, with a unique sound created by fingers on the drum skin combined with the jingle of metal rings. In ancient times, the Daf was played by Women, but the Daf has for many years been played only by men, with the skill being passed male to male, which makes this group all the more extraordinary.  Diyaar is the only Women’s Daf group in the UK and provides a welcoming and dynamic space for Women to gather and practice this age-old art. Scroll down for pictures!

The room was alive with chatter when I arrived, which gave way to a stillness as we drifted into the session with some stretches led by a Woman from the back of the room. The focus then shifted to the front. Azin is a formidable leader - she has a gentle authority about her. Whatever hubbub is occurring, it ceases the moment she utters “yek, do, se, chahar” and in that moment everything becomes about the music.

Once the drums began, I could feel the reverberations fill the room and make their way through my body. Goosepimples, bones quivering, tears, deep sighs - and that was just myself as the observer; goodness knows what it must feel like to play such an instrument - a deep sense of subversion I would hope. “They’ve been telling us we can’t do this for ages, but we just do it more” says one. 

Practice, more practice and precision are critical, and Azin asks the Women to repeat sections until they are perfect … “yek, do, se, chahar”, with everyone peeking out from behind their drums to check the maestro’s response. During one piece, drums on either side of the room are in extended conversation with each other; working up to an almighty crescendo which leaves Women stretching and shaking their aching fingers afterwards. One musician tells me that she fractured her thumb playing the dammam, a cumbersome drum historically played only by men. She had to search far to find someone who would make such an instrument for a Woman. When she first began to play, she sat down because it was so heavy, but she soon decided to stand instead because it made her “feel the power”. 

After a well-deserved break someone asks Azin to perform a solo. Watching her move (dance) with the Daf is utterly mesmerising; the drum becomes an extension of her, and the sound is everything that you would expect from a Maestro. She is magnificent! Further group practice follows, accompanied by the beautiful sounds of the stringed santur / سنتور  and the senj / سنج (a heavy cymbal-like instrument). 

Women say that they look forward to these Sundays: I am not surprised - it’s no small feat to take back the male sphere, and they all do it so well! I loved every second of the experience, and want to thank all in Diyaar - you have something special. Thank you for allowing me to share that time with you. 

If you are planning to come to #FiLiA2021, you will also have the opportunity to hear Diyaar. I cannot wait for us all to share a moment in time, listening to these magnificent Women, defying patriarchy by taking up the instruments that men claimed for themselves. “Yek, do, se, chahar” …