Torqeh by Kayhan Kalhor

In the ancient legends of Khorasan, the bird Torgheh is said to have a quest to fly towards the sun. To protect itself from burning, it must memorize a thousand names of God and recite them throughout its flight. However, according to the legend, as it reaches the sun, it forgets the thousandth name and burns in the sun’s fire. With this introduction, we turn to a piece titled Torgheh, composed by Kayhan Kalhor, first released in 1999. This composition was featured in two albums: Shab-e Sokut-e Kavir and Shahr-e Khamosh.

Torgheh is a two-part set for the setar, one of the most emotional pieces ever created by Kalhor. The piece starts with a relatively fast rhythm, and right from the beginning, traces of Khorasani folk music can be detected. The playing style of the setar is sinusoidal, with short intervals of increase and decrease in the melody. Midway through, the melody changes, and the previous repetitive motif disappears. In fact, this section marks the climax of the piece, where the speed of the setar is notably high. This moment symbolizes the magnificent and victorious moment of the bird Torgheh nearing the sun, carrying an epic and Eastern tone. The epic quality is intertwined with spirituality, reflecting an adventurous and delightful journey, much like a spiritual quest.

This peak, where Torgheh flaps its wings at the height near the sun, continues until the end of the piece. It ends in a brief silence, mirroring the moment when Torgheh forgets the thousandth name, followed by two repetitive beats, symbolizing its sudden death and burning. Despite its tragic ending, the piece is performed with an intensely uplifting and passionate tone. In reality, the movement and journey of Torgheh throughout the piece take precedence over its death and final moment.

The piece is written in a 4/4 time signature, which harmonizes well with the form and narrative. It is composed in the Dashti scale of classical Persian music and tuned to Do-Sol-La-Ra. With its repeated motifs, rhythmic variations, and a fusion of semi-classical and semi-folk forms, Torgheh secured its success even before its release. One of the most emotionally stirring compositions by Kalhor, Torgheh quickly found its place among listeners.