11th Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Parissa

The recipient of the 11th Bita Prize for Persian Arts is the acclaimed singer Parissa, for a life dedicated to preserving the best of Iranian classical music and elevating the role of women in this tradition.

Parissa is a master vocalist of classical Persian music (radif) who continues to play a singular role in promoting, preserving, and elevating the best in classical Persian music. She has dedicated her support—by example and action—to the rights of women musicians to create, train, perform, and contribute to a rich legacy of music.

Her exemplary role as the embodiment of the dignity of an artist, undaunted by the commercial market or power, makes her yet another impressive and indispensable addition to the list of Bita Prize recipients.

Photo credit: Roozbeh Jafarzadeh