Veteran artists are among the precious assets of a country, through their knowledge and experience the younger generation can learn a lot and improve in their fields. However, age-related problems usually affect their career and they cannot perform as before. At this time comes the importance of valuing and respecting them by any means to remind them they are not forgotten.
Following the policy of honoring veteran artists by visiting them at home, the art deputy at the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance made a visit to three masters Wednesday (April 8), Honaronline reported.
Ali Moradkhani together with the Veteran Artists Institute CEO Abbas Azimi and the institute staff met the veteran actors Jamshid Mashayekhi and Davoud Rashidi as well as the master musician/composer Farhang Sharif in their homes.
The well-known musician and renowned tar (Iranian traditional instrument) player, Farhang Sharif was the first to host the art deputy and the accompanying group.
During the visit Sharif, who is recovering from a broken leg at home, said two music albums containing his latest compositions would be released in May. He also stated that a book on his memoirs would be published in summer.
Moradkhani expressed hope that this year the maestro could perform his pieces on the stage.
Born in 1931, Sharif performed his first radio solo at the age of 12. He has collaborated with notable traditional singers such as Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, Akbar Golpaigani, Gholam-Hossein Banan, Mahmoud Khansari, and Iraj.
Jamshid Mashayekhi’s house was the next stop. The renowned actor, who has not appeared recently in TV or cinema productions due to health problems, said he is feeling well these days and has signed a contract to play in the fourth season of the popular TV series ‘The Capital’.
Mashayekhi (born in 1934) began professional acting on stage in 1957. His first feature film role was ‘Brick and Mirror’ (1965, Ebrahim Golestan). After a four-year break, he acted in ‘The Cow’ (1969, Darius Mehrjui) and ‘Qeysar’ (1969, Masoud Kimiai). Mashayekhi commonly appears as an elderly grandfather because of his white hair and charismatic face and figure.
Moradkhani’s last visit was to Davoud Rashidi who warmly welcomed the group.
The art deputy appreciated the efforts of the veteran actor during years and hoped for more successful works for him in future.
Rashidi (born in 1933) has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Geneva in 1960 and also attended the school of theatre in Geneva. His first film was ‘Escape from the Trap’ (1971, Jalal Moghadam) after years of stage acting. He has also had a career in television series. His daughter, Leyli Rashidi, is also an actress.
