The name Pouran evokes fond memories for the generation who lived in Iran during the three decades before the Islamic Revolution. Born in 1934, she started her singing career at the age of eighteen. Radio had just found its way into people’s homes, and in the absence of television and other more modern media, it enjoyed the exclusive advantage of reaching millions of listeners all over the country. With its primary emphasis being on music, it became the main vehicle for singers and musicians to achieve fame and popularity.

But this was not the only lucky coincidence for Pouran. Her aunt, Ruhbakhsh, was a celebrated singer in the 1940s, and through her she met many renowned musicians, including her future husband, Abbas Shapouri. He soon discovered this young students’s abilities in the course of training her voice. Their marriage, although lasting only eight years, resulted in a very fruitful musical partnership which produced scores of memorable, popular songs.

Pouran was in America visiting her children when the Revolution broke out in Iran. She stayed there many years before returning to Iran, where she faced many problems and finally died of breast cancer at the age of 56. In this multimedia report, Pouran is remembered by her sister, Gity Daryabeigi.

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