His life also reflects wider issues: cultural restriction, political tension, immigration, identity. His struggles with residency, performance restrictions, and travel show how artists often intersect with politics, especially when working across borders. Kalhor’s approach to music is deeply rooted in improvisation (taqsim in Persian music). Each performance is unique, with melodies evolving spontaneously from the traditional radif framework. This has made his concerts highly distinctive — no two are alike.
Kalhor sees music as a universal language. His collaborations with Indian, Turkish, Kurdish, and Western classical musicians show his belief that traditions can meet, converse, and create new beauty without losing authenticity. He often speaks of music as a way to express collective grief, longing, and resilience — especially important given turbulent modern history and his own personal tragedies. Collaborated on works that combined Kalhor’s kamancheh with Shajarian’s legendary voice, bringing new dimensions to classical Persian music.
