Farshad Sanati is a musician, musicologist, and Santour player. He earned his master’s degree in Music, Mind, and Technology from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in Oriental music education in the Music Department.
Farshad’s musical journey is deeply rooted in Iranian classical music (Dastgah system) and folk traditions, with a particular focus on the Santour. As an ethnomusicologist, he has conducted research into the ancient roots of Iranian, Turkish, and Arabic music. His master’s thesis explored the quartertone intervals in Iranian music. In recent years, he has performed with various bands and collaborated on several multicultural projects, including: Road Ensemble (an Iranian and Kurdish Folklore music band), Yr Awen (A Finnish Medieval music band based in Jyväskylä), Lentävä Laula (lullabies from around the world, with Finnish translation), Kotimatka ( a documentary movie about the life of immigrants, as a composer, player and singer), Tanssiteatteri Kramppi (Kaikuja, Heijastujsia), Ad Astra (work focuses on sharing, experiencing, drama, tales, and dialogue skills).
In autumn 2022, Farshad was selected as the ”Ambassador of Iranian Music in Finland” by the Finnish Heritage Agency (Museovirasto), as part of a project related to the UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and published an article on Iranian classical music in Finland on the wiki.aineeton kulttuuriperintö website.
A multidisciplinary scholar and artist, Farshad has also studied aircraft and mechanical engineering, computational ethnomusicology, and music education.