Leila Forouhar: Difference between revisions
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== Move to the United States == |
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[[Image:LFbahanealbumcover.jpg|thumb|right|Bahane (1992)]] |
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[[Image:HediehAlbumcover2.jpg|thumb|left|Hedieh Album Cover (1991)]] |
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In 1988 Leila and her family moved to the [[United States]] quickly establishing contact with [[Los Angeles]] based Iranian artists who had fled at the outbreak of the revolution. That same year, she released ''"Makhmal-e-Naz"'' and in 1989 ''“Hedieh”'' (The Gift). A phenomenal success, ''"Hedieh"'' was received with equal acclamation from both critics and fans. The hit song ''"Ey Dil"'' (My Heart) became immensely popular, rekindling a craze similar to that brought on by pre-revolutionary favorite ''"Cheshma-e-Nour."'' As a matter of fact, in one of her performances after the release of ''"Hedieh"'' it was reported that the concert hall echoed more of the attendee applause than the music itself. Soon after an album a year kept fans on their edge. During the 90's she re-established her reputation as favorite female singer, often teaming up with other Persian artists to deliver numerous notable albums. |
In 1988 Leila and her family moved to the [[United States]] quickly establishing contact with [[Los Angeles]] based Iranian artists who had fled at the outbreak of the revolution. That same year, she released ''"Makhmal-e-Naz"'' and in 1989 ''“Hedieh”'' (The Gift). A phenomenal success, ''"Hedieh"'' was received with equal acclamation from both critics and fans. The hit song ''"Ey Dil"'' (My Heart) became immensely popular, rekindling a craze similar to that brought on by pre-revolutionary favorite ''"Cheshma-e-Nour."'' As a matter of fact, in one of her performances after the release of ''"Hedieh"'' it was reported that the concert hall echoed more of the attendee applause than the music itself. Soon after an album a year kept fans on their edge. During the 90's she re-established her reputation as favorite female singer, often teaming up with other Persian artists to deliver numerous notable albums. |
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Revision as of 22:45, 25 September 2006
Leila Forouhar |
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Leila Forouhar (in Persian: لیلا فروهر, born 1958 in Ishafan, Iran) is a legendary Iranian singer and actress whose popularity in countries like Iran and Tajikestan — but particularly Afghanistan — has spanned decades of time. A multi-talented star who is noted for not only for her acting ability but also her voice, dancing ability and beauty.
The Movie Star
Leila is the daughter of the late Iranian actor Jahangir Forouhar. He had already established a solid background in the Iranian entertaintment industry by the early 70's. Her father was to have a great influence on the future singer and she has spoken of this in great detail in her interviews. She started following the foot steps of her father to movies, with her initiation beginning with the minor roles she played in various movies that were based mainly on the social issues of the Shah era. With time, she was able to secure a child star title and especially with the release of “Soltan-e-Qalb Ha” (King of Hearts), her fame had already spread to all three Persian countries. By her teenage years, she was already posing modeling shots for top fashion magazines along her work as an actress. Playing such various roles from the girl next door ("Ezteraab") to a wanderer ("Three Sisters") to a drug addict ("The Thirsty Ones"), her image was well cemented in Persian society.
The singer
In 1974, Leila began a new direction to her career when she announced her break into the music industry. After a few voice tests, Leila was immediately given an opportunity to record an album. The instant best-seller titled "Leila Forouhar" recorded in Iran flew off the shelves in Afghanistan in less than a day. The music videos accompanying this album were TV stations' most requested for months, and to this day remain classics. Particularly the songs "Cheshma-e-Nour" and "Eshgh Mesle Atisheh" made headlines in distinct entertainment publications which raved about the new singing sensation. A huge success, it was praised as the greatest album introduced to the Afghan society by a female singer. So well was its reception that she immediately unseated the then favorite singer Googoosh as the most popular female singer. The young Leila which had been seen as a child star was dancing rhythmically to tunes that absorbed her early fans but critics as well.
The Diva
A favorite of columnists who followed her every move to report to the enthusiastic public, she was the face of all glossy magazines in Afghanistan. Her hairstyle from "Cheshma-e-Nour" became for years the most sought after look in Kabul. This was the first time a patriarchal society had bestowed a female artist such affection. A survey conducted in the late 1970s named Leila as every Afghan man's fantasy mistress.
A round of concerts in various cities followed until Iran became entangled in political turmoil.
The Revolution
The Iranian Revolution based on religious ideology opposed any form of art that it deemed corrupt. A revolutionary court order named popular singers and actors (both male and female) to show up for a court hearing. In this Leila was the third person listed. It was well ingrained that these artists must renounce their careers or face legal consequences. Without any choice, many singers accepted the orders and withdrew to oblivion.
Move to France
With the outbreak of war with neighboring Iraq, the Iranian movie and music industry was debilitated. Initially Leila's family decided to stay in Tehran in hopes of end of fighting a return to the pre-revolutionary era. With the elongation of the war year , Leila decided to leave the country. So in 1986, she and her family moved to France. Up until 1988 Leila she remained in Paris; however, passive as an artist. During this time, much of the press speculated about Leila's possible comeback to singing. Afghan journalists even traveled to France to interview with the diva but were unsuccessful, as a result of her desire to keep a low profile. But her silence was soon to break.
Move to the United States
In 1988 Leila and her family moved to the United States quickly establishing contact with Los Angeles based Iranian artists who had fled at the outbreak of the revolution. That same year, she released "Makhmal-e-Naz" and in 1989 “Hedieh” (The Gift). A phenomenal success, "Hedieh" was received with equal acclamation from both critics and fans. The hit song "Ey Dil" (My Heart) became immensely popular, rekindling a craze similar to that brought on by pre-revolutionary favorite "Cheshma-e-Nour." As a matter of fact, in one of her performances after the release of "Hedieh" it was reported that the concert hall echoed more of the attendee applause than the music itself. Soon after an album a year kept fans on their edge. During the 90's she re-established her reputation as favorite female singer, often teaming up with other Persian artists to deliver numerous notable albums.
In 2005, Leila married a Los Angeles based Iranian-American businessman. She is still popular among both old and new generation Persians.
Her two songs, "Cheshma-e-Nour" (1974) and especially "Ey Dil" (1989) have been marked as immortal melodies, contributing to the enduring popularity of the singer.
Discography
Caltex Records Releases
- 1989: Hedieh (with Shahram Solati)
- 1991: Shaans
- 1995: Tapesh
- 1996: Saraab
- 1997: Love Songs
- 1997: Planet Of Harmony
- 1997: Dance Beat
- 1997: Attal Mattal (with Ebi)
- 1998: Love Story
- 1999: Didar (with Shahram Shabpareh)
- 1999: Yek Samado Do Leila (soundtrack from the play Yek Samado Do Leila)
- 2000: Tasvir
- 2001: Story Of Yours, Story Of Mine
- 2003: Live In Concert At The Kodak Theatre
- 2005: A Kiss
Taraneh Record Releases
- 1993: Hamsafar
- 1994: Do Parandeh
Pars Video Releases
- 1988: Makhmal-e-Naaz
- 1998: Ghahremaanaane Vatan(with Andy and Dariush)
MZM Records Releases
- 1992: Bahaaneh
Videography
VHS Releases
- Rouzegar
- The Return
- Flashback
DVD Releases
- A Kiss
- Live In Concert At The Kodak Theatre
Filmography
- Mehmaan
- Soltaneh Ghalbhaa
- Aramesh dar Hozooreh Digaraan
- Baagheh Boloor
- Shabeh Aftabi