The Santoor

This episode of Tuning Baghdad spotlights, the santoor, an ancient hammered dulcimer, dating back to Mesopotamian and Babylonian times and known for its hypnotic sounds. Basha plays Hugi Pataw, the Iraqi Jewish santoor player from the 1930s, and a curated selection of the various ‘relatives’ of the santoor from India, China, and Roma culture. Also featured is a special in-studio guest performance and discussion with Iraqi Maqam musicians, Amir Elsaffar and his sister, Dena ElSaffar of Safaafir.

• 
•