Fereydoun Khoshnoud

Each person’s story has a different beginning, a different journey, and a different end.  From the moment they are born, the famous and the glorious of this earth have always been different. This was true in the case of Lila Kasra who was a heavenly blessing who came to being in the most beautiful possible way from the depth of existence. The journey of Lila was like the story of a queen who did not know her country. A long time ago, in the profession and the formal title of a musician, which meant being Fereydoun Khoshnoud, I had the honor of presenting the undisputed queen with a jeweled throne, and that is how Lila discovered her land. 

We should consider the realm of songs, her contribution to the world of existence since her murmurs created winds and storms and her cries created seas and oceans. Her smile made the spring green. Her heartache was a sign that the fall was here, and the coldness in her heart indicated the arrival of the months of January & February. Her lovely eyes were like the pyramids of abundant summers. The tale of Lila Kasra was the tale of the queen of Sheba under whose orders the prophets of sounds and syllables came to the square and chanted her words in the most beautiful way possible. 

My first encounter with the beautiful Lila Kasra, which was the most beautiful encounter of my life, was in the presence of the editor of Banouan Magazine Mrs. Pari Abasaleti, which took place at my own request. The reason for this obvious request was very evident: beautiful words that were printed in a book, and I, in the mood for lamination, had discovered an ability to create a different style of poetry that had the potential for growth and discovery. In this introductory meeting she bought along her husband Mr. Eksandar Afshar who was at the time a deputy of ministry of oil. Her beauty and softness, her dignity and serenity, her attention when it came to the way she spoke and her choice of words, and even her unique, luxurious sense of style were part of her unforgettable qualities, and I am sure everybody agrees with that. 

Her meeting with me, along with her warm welcome, opened the doors for her to enter into the midst of the crowded scene of Iranian songwriters, and ultimately leading to her creating some of the most exceptional and heartwarming songs existing today that contain her soft and feminine touch and profound poetic outlook. 

After that exuberating day, the struggle to combine the lyrics written by Lila to the composition of different songs for these soft and imaginative writings, begun. There were too many songs, and the sheets of paper were completely blackened with Lila’s words. Correct alignments of her words with my writing of the titles to be tailored appropriately to our singers consumed my mind, and once again, precious Lila worked effortlessly in shortening or in some cases lengthening the sentences in order to make the content more adequate and meaningful. 

The song “Goleh, Goleh Aftabgardoon,” which is an artistic and memorable success with the magical voice of Noushafarin, was one of the first eloquent lyrics of Lila Kasra that was enthusiastically received by the public for the song, the performance, and composition. My special focus on Ebi, whose star was rising fast at the time, led to him getting the chance, and I, along with Lila Kasra, witnessed the birth of the beautiful song entitled “Shabeh Mard Tanha,” which I could say is not only one of the strongest, and unforgettable, performances of Ebi, but it also one of my best compositions based on the works of Lila Kasra. 

When it comes to my other work that I have always been proud of, the songs of the dear late, and heavenly, Haydee come to mind that have become eternal because of the words of Lila Kasra and the incomparable voice Haydee herself. I could say that Haydee’s “Doaye Sahr”, for which I composed the music, is one the monumental works of these two incomparable ladies, alongside my name, when it comes to the history of the music of our nation. The other songs “Kharabati” & “Souzeh Del” are other songs performed by Hyadee based on the works of Lila Kasra selected by me. I also had the honor of composing the music for these songs. 

When it comes to creating incomparable and beautiful eternal songs with dear Hydyee, together with my professional collaborations with Sattar are part of my other memories which cannot be mentioned without including the illustrious name of Lila Kasra. The songs “Haraas” and “Sedaye Zangoul” are a joint gift from myself, Lila Kasra, and Sattar to the world of our country’s music. 

At the same time, we cannot mention the name of Nooshafaarin without referring to the name of Lila Kasra. That is because we came together to give the songs “Sedaye Mehraboon,” “Hava,” and “Jerse” as gifts to generations of Iranians from yesterday and today. Akbar Golpa is also one of the singers whose songs have been touched by the beautiful words of Lila Kasra. 

In reality, when I think of those long-gone days, the vast flood of Lila Kasra’s words take me back to those poor ventilated old studios that were filled with love.  I also remember the watchful eye of this honorable lady who would forgo luxurious evening parties and large gatherings to stand in a corner, with dignity and peacefulness, and quietly listen to the performers take her words to the heavens from the depth of their throat. Those are the voices that we are not able to find today and the words that in the absence of Lila Kasra leave us with only our memories. 

This is only a very succinct and brief recollection of a beautiful and unique story, an unfinished symphony about the highs and lows of the queen of songs Mrs. Lila Kasra on the either side of the ocean who accompanied by my music, became well known through her commitment, and her good name not only  made this world full of light, but it also  captured the heart of its people, the sound of its singers, and the art of its musicians. 

Today, her work has spread to every corner of the world. It has passed through the boundaries of Iran and along with the spread of women and men of this ancient land the songs of Lila Kasra have spread to the far corners of our times. 

We are not able to shut any door that deals with different aspects of Lila Kasra unless we open another door that opens to another vast field full of intoxicating and spellbound words. It is best if we use Lila’s own words and poems for interpreting, paraphrasing, and commentating on her life. 

I bid farewell to you with the words of Lila Kasra and her beautiful songs, and I pray that this virtuous and angelic lady’s name lives on for an eternity, and her soul, everlasting and immortal dances and spins, like a breeze in a field, in every Iranian household.