Rethinking Religion-Music Relations with a Book That Reached Its Second Edition

The author of "Religion and Music in Contemporary Iran," speaking on the occasion of the second edition of this research-compilation, discussed enhancing two-way institutional literacy and the need to rethink the relationship between religion and music.

Hossein Sarvi, a researcher in the field of cultural sociology, lecturer and expert in the field of music, who recently published the book "Religion and Music in Contemporary Iran" and now it has reached its second edition, in a conversation with Mehr reporter about the reception of the first edition and the importance of the issues raised in this book, said: Fortunately, the first edition of this book was well received by researchers, academics, scientific and research centers and those interested in cultural and social studies, and with the completion of the first edition, the ground for the publication of the second edition was created. Naturally, scientific and research works, unlike some literary genres and general works, have a more specialized and limited audience, and their popularity cannot be measured by the common standards of the publishing market. From this point of view, what is more important for me is to find the book's way into the academic study space, to be noticed among researchers and to provide a basis for the continuation of scientific discussion about its subject.

He added: In my opinion, the importance of this book is not limited to the historical study of the relationship between religion and music in contemporary Iran; Rather, an important part of the fundamental issues and questions raised in it are still relevant in the cultural and social atmosphere of Iran today. The relationship between the institution of religion and the institution of art, how cultural politics confronts music, the limits and methods of intervention of official institutions, as well as the necessity of mutual recognition of these two areas, are among the issues that still require reflection, rethinking and scientific dialogue. From this point of view, one of the main goals of this research has been to help promote "bilateral institutional literacy" between the institution of religion and the institution of art; In the sense that each of these 2 institutions can provide a more informed and realistic interaction with a more detailed understanding of the internal logic, functions, requirements and sensitivities of the other.

This researcher stated: I believe that part of the historical and contemporary challenges in the relationship between religion and music, rather than being caused by fundamental conflicts, are rooted in the lack of sufficient knowledge and the formation of reductionist perceptions of the nature and mutual functions of these two fields. Therefore, I hope that the publication of the second edition of this book has an opportunity to expand its audience, especially among students, researchers, cultural policy makers and those interested in interdisciplinary studies, and that this work can provide a contribution, although limited, in deepening scientific dialogue, strengthening institutional mutual understanding and rethinking the relationship between religion and music in contemporary Iranian society.

Sarvi said in the final part of his speech: In my opinion, the publication of scientific and research works is only a part of the path of knowledge production and transfer, and what allows these works to be more present and effective in the scientific and cultural space of society is the efforts of collections that work responsibly to introduce, promote and expand the scope of their audience.

Hossein Sarvi, a doctoral student in cultural sociology, is one of the researchers in the field of cultural studies and sociology of art, who has a history of research, teaching and executive activities in the field of culture and art. Currently, he is doing post-doctoral research in the music studies department of the National University of Athens and Kapodistria.