Passed from master to disciple through oral instruction, the radif embodies both the aesthetic practice and the philosophy of Persian musical culture.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Radif of Iranian music is the traditional repertoire of the classical music of Iran that forms the essence of Persian musical culture.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Learning the radif stretches over at least a decade of self devotion during which the students memorize the radif s repertoire and engage in a process of musical asceticism intended to open the gates of spirituality.

UNESCO: Culture

The radif may be vocal or instrumental, performed on a variety of instruments with different performance techniques including the long- necked lutes ''t?r'' and ''set?r, '' as well as the ''santur'' hammered zither, ''kam?nche'' spike fiddle and ''ney'' reed pipe.

UNESCO: Culture

Although the main performance practice of Iranian traditional music unfolds through improvisation according to the mood of the performer and in response to the audience, musicians spend years learning to master the radif as the set of musical tools for their performances and compositions.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage