WANA (Oct 25) – You know when you are thinking of something tragic or God forbid, something tragic has happened to you, and your mind is subconsciously begging for a background sound? These are the people who perform these sounds..

 

They wear black, stand before hundreds, and make people weep; not just with sadness, but with faith, nostalgia, and music.

 

In Iran, Maddahan, professional mourners and reciters of religious poetry, have built an emotional art form that turns grief into something communal.

Mahmoud Karimi, A famous Iranian Maddah. Social Media / Wana News Agency 

Who is A Maddah?

A Maddah (plural: Maddahan) is a religious performer who recites poetic elegies about Islam’s holy figures — especially Imam Hussein and his companions during Muharram.

 

But their role extends beyond religion. In many Iranian communities, a Maddah is part poet, part singer, part emotional guide.

 

“Maddahi means showing the praised one, not showing the praiser; showing God, not yourself,” says veteran performer Gholamreza Sazgar, one of Iran’s most respected religious poets. “A Maddah must be immersed in the one he praises — and speak of him, not of himself.”

 

Beyond the Mosque: The Maddahan of the Graves

Not all Maddahan perform before large audiences. When a loved one is buried, a local reciter – sometimes a professional, sometimes a neighbour with a gifted voice – stands by the grave and sings marsieh (lament poetry). The verse is very devastating, talking about the life of the lost one and your life after losing them..

 

It’s a haunting scene: the soil still fresh, the singer’s voice trembling, the family clutching damp handkerchiefs.

Javad Rouhi's funeral ceremony and his parents are mourning at his grave. North of Iran. Social Media. WANA News Agency

This form of maddahi bridges sacred tragedy and private grief, proving that in Iran, spirituality is inseparable from daily life.

 

“A Maddah should flee from seeking fame,” says senior reciter Hassan Khalaj. “The goal is to draw yourself close to the Imam — and help others draw close as well.”

 

From Alleys to Arenas

Today, major Maddahi ceremonies fill stadiums and public squares, drawing thousands of young participants waving black flags and chanting in rhythm.

 

Younger performers use microphones, cinematic lighting, and even new poetry styles, mixing centuries-old verses with contemporary melody.

 

Some traditionalists criticise this modernization, but others see it as evolution, a way to keep younger generations emotionally connected.

 

“From the beginning I avoided imitation in my work — even when my poetry or style was weak, I tried to be myself,” says Seyed Reza Narimani, one of the most popular modern Maddahan among Iran’s youth.

 

Why Maddahi Still Matters In The 21st Century?

In an age of digital life and individualism, the survival of Maddahi might seem surprising. Yet its persistence reveals something profound about Iranian society.

 

  • For many, these gatherings are a form of collective therapy: a place where people, especially men, can cry without shame.

 

  • For others, it’s about identity: a living link to history, family, and faith in a rapidly changing world.

In a society often marked by external pressure and social transformation, the Maddah remains a voice of continuity; someone who reminds listeners who they are, where they come from, and what binds them together.

 

MORE ABOUT MADDAHI

In contemporary Shia societies, Maddahi has evolved into both a religious art form and a tool of cultural identity. Many Maddahs achieve wide recognition through television broadcasts, social media, and large public ceremonies.

 

While the core of Maddahi remains the remembrance of Karbala and the message of sacrifice and justice associated with Imam Hussein, its tone and style can vary—from solemn elegies to powerful, rhythmic anthems. This blend of faith, emotion, and performance makes Maddahi a uniquely enduring expression of Shia communal life.