PERWER, SIVAN

(1955- )

Sivan Perwer (whose original name was Ismail Aygun) is perhaps the most famous contemporary Kurdish singer. He was born inTurkeybut has been exiled from there since 1976. He travels extensively, and political songs constitute an important part of his repertoire. He is much admired by Kurds throughout the world, and his songs serve to unite otherwise divisive Kurds and promote their sense of Kurdishnationalism. His dirge for the 5,000 Kurds who died from thechemical weaponsused bySaddamHussein's forces atHalabjais particularly haunting. He is also famous for singing traditional epic and love songs.

See alsoMusic.