Three-minute read
August 27 marked what would have been the 83rd birthday of Andranik Assatourian, the renowned composer, arranger, and pioneer of Iran’s modern pop music. Known to many simply as “Ando”, he transformed the country’s musical landscape in the 1970s, working with some of Iran’s most celebrated pop icons before dedicating much of his later life and artistry to the Iranian Resistance. His legacy continues to resonate with those who see music as both an expression of culture and a voice for freedom.
Born on August 27, 1941, in Hamadan, Assatourian began studying music at the age of nine and soon joined Tehran’s Conservatory of Music. By his late teens, his extraordinary talent had propelled him into Radio and Television Iran’s Pop Orchestra, where he served as conductor for two years. But his artistry was inseparable from his conscience. In 1978, he left Iran for the U.S. to pursue advanced studies. When the clerical dictatorship hijacked the 1979 uprising, he refused to return, choosing exile over compromise.
A Master Who Never Served Power
Andranik’s compositions stood out not just for their innovation but also for their integrity. He viewed music as a mirror of the human spirit, resisting both commercial dilution and state propaganda. His ability to blend Western harmonies with Persian lyricism defined the soundtrack of modern Iranian identity.
Despite working with Iran’s most celebrated singers, Assatourian remained deeply humble. He often said: “Never forget — it is the people who give our art wings. I am nothing but the dust under their feet.”
#Andranik will fight along freedom fighters of Camp #Liberty. #Iran pic.twitter.com/CDRq6os4YY
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) February 27, 2015
Art and Resistance
In the 1990s, Andranik made a life-changing decision: he openly aligned himself with the Iranian Resistance and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). To him, music was not just an art form but a tool for freedom and dignity. Through his collaborations with Resistance musicians and his orchestration of concerts supporting the movement, he transformed his talent into a voice for defiance. Andranik believed that art and struggle were inseparable: that the truest measure of creativity lay in serving the people and their aspirations for liberty.
In a heartfelt interview with Simaye Azadi (a satellite network associated with the Iranian Resistance), Andranik described his 20-year journey with the Resistance. Referring to the movement’s leaders and members, he said: “I am proud to be part of this family. Twenty years ago, I was given the honor of joining the PMOI, and today I live with my brothers and sisters in this struggle. Our dream is clear: one day we will stand together in a free Iran. Music without the people, without freedom, is meaningless.”
A Legacy That Lives On
Andranik Assatourian passed away at 73 in Los Angeles, but his music continues to inspire Iranians yearning for change. His melodies — once the backdrop of Iran’s vibrant pop culture — have become the anthems of resistance and collective memory, bridging the past and the future of a nation still searching for freedom.