Azadi: A Cry for Freedom
- Spirit Voyage
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
British-Iranian singer Aliya’s new single, arrives as a prayer for freedom. She shares some of her process in the creation of this powerful new song.
On the birth of this song....
Aliya: When things started to get really bad in Iran. I was on a walk with my dog, and the grief pulled me into the ground, so I sat and listened. In that listening I felt a chant wanting to come through. Art has always been the way we can transform pain into power, to express the love within us, and as an ally through difficult times.
In writing chants and songs like this, I intend to spread the message and energy that we can stand firm in our feet as we face challenging times.
Also, when singing songs like this, we are putting out our prayers into the universe. So this is part of my prayer for humanity. To be free, and we sing for freedom so that we can create it.
On singing in Farsi....
Aliya: I wanted to honour my ancestry by having Farsi represented in the song. It felt important because these ancient languages have the capacity to awaken remembrance with us. Even if we don't understand what is being spoken or sung, we still know, because we can feel.
I also find that there's something unique that happens to the voice when singing in Farsi, that I only hear in this language, so I wanted to bring that imprint into the song.
On the lyric "even if our feet are chained, we are free.”
Aliya: This line speaks to the subtle understanding that we are not restrained by the physical reality, and so regardless of what we face here, there is always an aspect of us that is free, and that is our home. It is very important we hold this understanding alongside us as it anchors us in a grounded truth, in which we can take aligned action from, rather than being lost in fear and pain
Azadi - Official Music Video:
