Ay Mohammad Moghimi: Master Luthier and Musician from the Turkmen Regions of Iran
Ay Mohammad Moghimi is a renowned craftsman and musician, specializing in the dutâr and kamancheh, crafted in the Turkmen tradition. Residing in the village of Gadamabad near Gonbad-e Kavus in northeastern Iran, he has spent the past four decades crafting over two thousand dutârs and kamanchehs with his own hands.
During a journey to the Turkmen-inhabited regions of northeastern Iran, we had the opportunity to meet him and discuss his craft. Moghimi shared insights into his methods of instrument-making and his life as both a musician and a luthier dedicated to preserving the Turkmen musical heritage.
The Dutâr: A Stringed Instrument of Shared Heritage
The dutâr is a traditional two-stringed instrument with a long neck and a resonating body, deeply rooted in the musical traditions of Iran, Afghanistan , Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and western China. This instrument holds a unique cultural significance, acting as a bridge that connects various communities across these regions through its shared form and musical versatility.
Although the dutâr’s basic design—a hollowed resonating body and a fretted neck—remains consistent, variations in details such as the placement of frets and playing techniques highlight the distinct cultural identities of each region.
The Turkmen dutâr is distinguished by its smaller, rounded soundbox and its narrow, elongated neck. Traditionally, the body is carved from mulberry wood, selected for its acoustic properties, and the neck is fashioned from apricot wood, which offers strength and a smooth texture. Its name, derived from Persian, translates as:
Do (two) + târ (string) = “Two strings”
Turkmen dutârs typically feature seven or eight frets. Unlike other regional variations that often use gut-based frets, the frets of the Turkmen dutâr are made from tightly compressed metal wires, which are embedded into the wooden neck to produce its distinctive tonal qualities.
Themes of Turkmen Dutâr Music
The melodies performed on the Turkmen dutâr often encompass spiritual, heroic, and romantic themes. Spiritual compositions reflect an intriguing blend of Khorasan Sufi mysticism and Central Asian Turkic shamanistic beliefs. The heroic and romantic themes are rooted in the nomadic traditions and oral histories of Turkmen culture.
A Life Dedicated to Music and Craft
Ay Mohammad Moghimi maintains a workshop adjacent to his home, where he has spent much of his time in recent years. The workshop serves as a space for both instrument-making and teaching. Over the decades, Moghimi has shared his knowledge and skills with eager learners, ensuring that the traditions of crafting and playing the dutâr and kamancheh in the Turkmen style continue to thrive in the cultural fabric of the region.
