Joining host Andrew Martin for this fourth episode of Series Eight is not one but two guests! We're delighted to welcome Emmy-winning journalist Danielle Dardashti and her musician and anthropologist sister Dr. Galeet Dardashti. Danielle and Galeet researched the history of their family in Iran via audio recordings they found at their parents' house, uncovering some fascinating insights into their father and grandfather's musical success. The episode highlights the importance of audio recordings in our research, particularly where the written documentation is both inaccessible for them, and lacking the raw emotion that can be captured in sound.

THE LIFE STORY - YOUNES DARDASHTI
Danielle and Galeet have chosen to tell the life story of their religious Jewish Grandfather - Younes Dardashti.

Left an orphan as a child in Tehran, Iran, Younes went to live with his uncle who really didn't want him to sing - despite recognising his talents.

However, it was during a power cut at a party that Younes decided to share his vocal talents - and in a case of right-place-right-time, he was heard - his voice in the darkness led to him being discovered by a popular Iranian singer and his path to becoming the 'Nightingale of Iran' was set and saw him earn many Muslim fans.

His granddaughters have since turned his story into an award-winning podcast called The Nightingale Of Iran, which is rich in audio interviews, archive recordings, and beautiful singing.

THE BRICK WALL - FARID DARDASHTI
It's a brick wall in 1960's Tehran that has Danielle and Galeet stumped.

During the making of their podcast, and in conversations with relatives, friends, academics, and fans, they've heard so many references to their father - Farid Dardashti's teen idol career in early 1960's Iran. Despite the fond memories and beloved descriptions, they've yet to see any photographs, video recordings, or hear audio recordings of him during this time.

• Can you help find recordings of Farid Dardashti in Iran?

If you think that you can help Danielle and Galeet with a research idea or a clue that might help turn their brick wall to dust, then you can reach out to them at The Nightingale of Iran website, alternatively, you can send us a message via our contact us page, and we'll pass it along to them.

In the meantime, Andrew offers his help to Danielle and Galeet, but will it lead them to new clues worth checking out?

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Episode Credits:

• Andrew Martin - Host and Producer
• Danielle Dardashti - Guest
• Dr. Galeet Dardashti - Guest

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