Perwer, Sivan

(1955- )

   Sivan Perwer (whose original name was Ismail Aygun) is perhaps the most famous contemporary Kurdish singer. He was born in Turkey but 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 Kurdish nationalism. His dirge for the 5,000 Kurds who died from the chemical weapons used by Saddam Hussein's forces at Halabja is particularly haunting. He is also famous for singing traditional epic and love songs.

   See also Music.