Mehdi Saki (born 1974 in Ahvaz) is a singer, actor and performer who founded Kamakan. He sings in Arabic and Persian, drawing on the poetry and folk songs of both languages. His work combines singing with storytelling and physical performance, from Kamakan concerts to theatre built around his childhood memories.2345
Recordings
7 releases, oldest first. Select one for its details and sources.
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Kamakan
کماکان
Leyva
لیوا
Life & work
Ahvaz and Tehran
Saki grew up in an Arabic-speaking home in Ahvaz and studied in a Persian-speaking environment. He later explained that growing up with both cultures made his attachment to their poetry and music inseparable. Arabic lullabies were part of his childhood; he went on to study dance and theatre in Tehran before gathering musicians around Kamakan.23
By November 2012, he was appearing as a guest singer and guitarist with Pallett. He sang “Triangle” on their debut album, Mr. Violet. Kamakan’s first album followed in 2015, with arrangements by Makan Ashgvari.647
Poetry and performance
In January 2017, while preparing new material with Kamakan, Saki said he wanted each album to have a different character. He described arrangements built around oud, bass and percussion, with piano central to most pieces, and spoke of adding electronic elements. Choosing poetry remained important to him: he named Rumi, Aref Qazvini, Houshang Ebtehaj and folk poetry from southwestern Iran among the material they were working with.8
At that month’s Fajr Music Festival, he opened with a southern song while plucking a guitar laid across his lap. He then told a story about the beginning of the Iran–Iraq War before singing in Arabic. Recitation, repeated vocal sounds and theatrical gestures were part of the performance.4
Later in 2017, his memories of wartime Ahvaz became the basis of The Fifth Wing. The director Ahmad Selgi adapted Saki’s text Mahoud and Tales of War for the stage. Selgi described theatre and music as intertwined in the work: Saki’s singing was its central musical element, accompanied by sparse live guitar and oud.5
Later collaborations
In later collaborations, Saki brought his voice to work outside Kamakan. He sang on “Tamam” from Jostojoo, a collaboration between Arif Mirbaghi and Kaveh Ghaffari inspired by Iranian popular cinema. He also sang “Butterflies hugging each other” for Ava Rasti’s music for a film by Saber Abar.910
Following a November 2023 residency at Le Grand Mix in France, Kamakan’s trio brought Saki’s voice, guitar and percussion together with Rasti’s bass and electronic machines and Axel Moon’s saz, rabab and electronic machines.3 His teaching also addressed the body and voice: in May 2026, VIVA Alliance in Vancouver offered a course with him in the Suzuki method, combining movement and rhythm with voice and breath exercises.11
Sources
- 1Mehdi Saki at Fajr Festival, 17 January 2017
One quote
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Mehdi_Saki_20170117_04.jpg
- 2Amir Jaber interviews Arab singers working in Persian
2 quotes
ولد مهدي عام 1974 في الأهواز، مثّل في عدة أفلام ومسرحيات، وإلى جانب موهبة التمثيل فقد مارس الغناء على طريقة "موسیقی الفیوجن" ضمن فرقته الغنائية (كَمَاكان). يغني مهدي بأسلوبه الجميل باللغتين العربية والفارسية أغانيَ فولكلورية إلى جانب قصائد عدة لجلال الدين الرومي، كما يعمل في معظم أغانيه على مزج الأغاني العربية والفارسية بتوزيع جديد وآلات موسيقية غربية.
وعن أسباب الغناء باللغتين الفارسية والعربية، تحدث مهدي لنا قائلاً: "ترعرعت في بيت عربي في الأهواز وكبرت في مجتمع فارسي حيث درست، لذا تغذيت من الثقافتين، وأصبح حبي للشعر والموسيقى الفارسية والعربية متلازماً، كما أن الموسيقى هي لغة بلا حدود".
- 3Kamakan Live in London: A Fusion of Iranian Folk and Electronic Soundscapes | Vaak Records
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Following a residency at Le Grand Mix in France in November 2023, Kamakan – with Mehdi Saki (vocals, guitar, percussion), Ava Rasti (bass, electronic machines), and Axel Moon (saz, rabab, electronic machines) – has embraced electronic sounds to offer audiences a fresh and immersive experience.
Hailing from Ahwaz, Mehdi Saki was immersed in Arabic lullabies from a young age, finding solace in dance and music amid the turmoil of war. After studying dance and theatre in Tehran, he formed Kamakan, a contemporary folk project that brings together musicians from the independent scene.
- 4کماکان در سی‌ودومین جشنواره موسیقی فجر
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در این برنامه هم ترانه‌های فارسی، عربی و جنوبی با لهجه غلیظ و نوع خاص دکلمه‌ها و قصه گویی‌های مهدی ساکی اجرا شد. آواها و تکرار اصواتی که او در میان ترانه‌ها اجرا می‌کند حالا به مشخصه آثار ساکی تبدیل شده است و حرکات نمایشی او در زمان اجرا به انتقال حس قطعات کمک بیشتری می‌کرد.
مهدی ساکی که ابتدا با بازیگری در فیلم‌هایی مانند دوئل و ارتفاع پست و سپس حضور در آلبوم "آقای بنفش" پالت و خواندن قطعه پر طرفدار "مثلث" شناخته شد
اجرای گروه در حالی آغاز شد که مهدی ساکی بر گیتاری که روی پای خود خوابانده بود زخمه می‌زد و ترانه‌ای جنوبی را می‌خواند. پس از آن با روایت داستانی در مورد آغاز جنگ ایران و عراق پشت میکروفن رفت و یک ترانه عربی را اجرا کرد.
- 5بال پنجم؛ گفت‌وگو با احمد سلگی
4 quotes
احمد سلگی در گفت‌وگو با هنرآنلاین درباره موضوع و مضمون این اثر نمایشی گفت: موضوع نمایش روایت کودکی مهدی ساکی در شهر اهواز و در زمان جنگ و نزدیک مرگ است. او در آن فضا خانواده، گذشته و آینده خود را مرور می‌کند.
نویسنده و کارگردان نمایش "بال پنجم" احمد سلگی است که این اثر را بر اساس متن "مهود و قصه‌های جنگ" نوشته مهدی ساکی نگاشته است.
کارگردان نمایش "هویت پروانه‌های مرده" درباره سبک و شیوه اجرایی نمایش "بال پنجم" عنوان کرد: نمایش ترکیبی از تئاتر و موسیقی است و در اجرای آن بسیار سعی کردیم تا این دو عنصر جدا از هم نباشند و در هم تنیده شوند و مرزی میان‌شان نباشد.
سلگی همچنین در ادامه اضافه کرد: فضای موسیقی نمایش سازبندی خلوتی از آلات موسیقی چون گیتار و عود است که به صورت زنده نواخته می‌شود و عنصر اصلی موسیقی آواز مهدی ساکی است.
- 6کنسرت پالت در برج آزادی اجرا شد
2 quotes
داریوش آذر (کنترباس)، روزبه اسفندار مز (کلارینت)، کاوه صالحی (گیتار)، مهیار طهماسبی (ویولنسل)، حسام الدین محمدیان پور (سازهای کوبه ای، آکاردئون و فلوت) و امید نعمتی (خواننده) اعضای اصلی این گروه را تشکیل می‌دادند؛ مهدی ساکی (خواننده و نوازنده گیتار)، میثم شیخی (خواننده) و شقایق صادقیان (فلوت) به عنوان هنرمندان مهمان در این اجرا گروه پالت را همراهی کردند.
کنسرت گروه پالت به سرپرستی روزبه اسفندارمز و خوانندگی امید نعمتی از 17 تا 19 آبان در دو سئانس در سالن اصلی برج آزادی اجرا شد.
- 7Kamakan — Mélo
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Born in Ahvaz (Iran), Mehdi Saki grew up to the sound of arabic lullabies of his hometown in the border area with Irak. He studied dance and theatre, before gathering musicians of the Iranian independent music scene around the project Kamakan in 2011. Drawing from the music traditions of the south of Iran, as well as Persian and Arabic poetry, Kamakan is an extension of Mehdi Saki’s inner journeys. Released in 2015, the first album of the band arranged by Makan Ashgvari was met with great success. The Iranian youth could identify itself with the folk and jazz-infused music compositions of Kamakan. After concerts in Iran and Berlin in 2017 and 2018, Kamakan wrote a second piece. In 2020, the band had to interrupt their tour across Iran because of the spread of coronavirus, and is now spending its time composing and recording a new album.
- 8مهدی ساکی کماکان از صمیمیت جنوب می‌خواند · Archived copy
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او که معتقد است حالا دیگر کماکان تبدیل به یک پروژه جدیتر شده و قرار است در هر آلبوم رنگ و بوی تازه‌ای داشته باشد، درباره حال و هوای تازه‌ترین اثر پروژه می‌گوید: «صدای آلبوم جدید بر اساس سازهای عود، گیتارباس و پرکاشن شکل گرفته که ساز پیانو در اکثر قطعات آن نقش کلیدی دارد. تصور ما این است که اگر به این موسیقی، المان‌های موسیقی الکترونیک را هم اضافه کنیم، می‌تواند ترکیب زیباتری خلق کند. البته شاخصه‌های همیشگی هم در آن دیده می‌شود، به خصوص در بخش انتخاب شعر که همیشه برایمان اهمیت داشته و به همین دلیل از اشعار مولوی، عارف قزوینی، هوشنگ ابتهاج و شعرهای فولک جنوب غرب استفاده کرده‌ایم.»
- 9Jostojoo — Arif Mirbaghi & Kaveh Ghaffari
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Kaveh Ghaffari and Arif Mirbaghi present playful themes inspired by the Film Farsi genre of Iranian cinema. Recorded in Tehran at Studio Saba, October 2020. credits released March 16, 2021 Mahan Mohammadi — trumpet Sepehr Abbasi — trombone Mostafa Saraei — saxophone Kaveh Ghaffari — keys Alireza Gharemani — guitar Arif Mirbaghi — bass Asal Ezzati — aux. percussion Farhad Asadi — drums Mehdi Saki — vocal on ‘Tamam’
- 10A Butterfly Fly From Each Fingertip — Ava Rasti
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Music for the motion picture (A Butterfly Fly From Each Fingertip) Director: Saber Abar Vocal: Mehdi Saki credits released May 16, 2023
- 11Culture is the Body: A Psychophysical Training Course
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The Suzuki Method positions the body as the foundation of expressive storytelling—using physicality as a bridge between internal intention and external action. Rooted in the philosophy that "Culture is the Body," this method employs disciplined physical exercises to unlock deeper emotional, mental, and expressive capacities. Drawing on elements such as sound, rhythm, movement, and gesture—universal across cultures—Mahdi Saki introduces innovative choreographies and practices that strengthen the mind-body connection in performance. Participants will engage in rigorous training that includes stomping drills, slow tenkan movements, and voice-breath exercises, all requiring intense focus, emotional control, and physical precision. These practices support a deeper alignment between inner intention and external expression.
Mentor: Mahdi Saki Duration: 4 Weeks (12 Sessions) May 3rd – May 28th, 2026 Date and Time: Sundays from 11AM-1:30PM, Tuesdays from 6:30-9PM, and Thursdays from 6:30-9PM. Please refer to the Schedule Table below. Location: VIVA Alliance, 401-353 Railway Street, Vancouver, BC
- 12Triangle (feat. Mehdi Saki) — Apple Music
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https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music122/v4/bb/c0/52/bbc0524d-97bc-f0ce-ca49-a99da7e19e82/4011725561796.png/296x296bb.webp
Triangle (feat. Mehdi Saki) Mr. Violet Pallett March 5, 2013
"name":"Pallett","roleNames":["Songwriter"]
- 13Triangle — Pallett on Spotify
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Triangle - song and lyrics by Pallett | Spotify Triangle Pallett Mr. Violet 2013 3:54 Lyrics Sign in to see lyrics and listen to the full track Sign up Artist Pallett
- 14Kamakan - Album by Mehdi Saki - Apple Music
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Listen to Kamakan by Mehdi Saki on Apple Music. 2015. 12 Songs. Duration: 49 minutes.
"datePublished":"2015-04-21"
- 15About Kamakan
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Kamakan (کماکان) is an Iranian fusion group formed in 2012 by Mahdi Saki — a theatre-trained actor, singer, and composer born in 1974 in Khuzestan, in Iran's south. Kamakan's music sets contemporary arrangements against the folk traditions of southern Iran, drawing its lyrics from the poetry of Rumi (Mowlana) alongside the verses of poet Ebrahim Monsefi. The group released its self-titled debut album, Kamakan , in 2015 to a warm reception from audiences and critics, and has since performed at international venues and festivals, including Berlin's Maxim Gorki Theatre.
- 16Kamakan — Mehdi Saki — Spotify
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Listen to Kamakan - Album by Mehdi Saki | Spotify Kamakan Mehdi Saki 2015 12 songs , 49 min 2 sec Look Mehdi Saki Sugar Mehdi Saki Yumma Mehdi Saki ... Means Mother Mehdi Saki Obscure Mehdi Saki Invitation Mehdi Saki No Longer Exists Mehdi Saki Clapping Mehdi Saki Come, Come Slowly Mehdi Saki Kamakan Mehdi Saki Curl Upon Curl Mehdi Saki The Smile Mehdi Saki
- 17Kamakan — official SoundCloud album
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Kamakan by Kamakan published on 2022-09-12T11:23:43Z Genre Jazz & Blues Contains tracks 01. Mehdi Saki - Shoufi by Kamakan published on 2022-09-12T11:23:41Z 02. Mehdi Saki - Shekar by Kamakan published on 2022-09-12T11:23:40Z 03. Mehdi Saki - Yuma by Kamakan published on 2022-09-12T11:23:39Z 04. Mehdi Saki - Yani Madar by Kamakan published on 2022-09-12T11:23:38Z 05. Mehdi Saki - Gom Andar Gom by Kamakan published on 2022-09-12T11:23:37Z
- 18mosallas artwork
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https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music116/v4/8f/cb/d5/8fcbd502-e395-7b52-42b1-c7decae914bc/8720996127711.png/296x296bb.webp
- 19mosallas-remix — Apple Music credits
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Mosallas (feat. Mehdi Saki) [Remix] Mosallas (feat. Mehdi Saki) [Remix] - Single Pallett August 16, 2019
"name":"Mehdi Saki","roleNames":["Composer","Lyrics"]
- 20mosallas-remix — Spotify
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Mosallas - Remix - song and lyrics by Pallett, Mehdi Saki | Spotify Mosallas - Remix Pallett Mosallas (Remix) 2019 4:50 Lyrics Sign in to see lyrics and listen to the full track Sign up Artist Pallett Artist Mehdi Saki
- 21Tamam — Arif Mirbaghi & Kaveh Ghaffari
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https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2212618518_5.jpg
released March 16, 2021
Tamam from Jostojoo by Arif Mirbaghi & Kaveh Ghaffari
Featuring vocal by Mehdi Saki (Kamakan) credits from Jostojoo , released March 16, 2021
- 22leyva artwork
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https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music112/v4/15/ef/60/15ef600d-2f5f-a1cc-70aa-2608d6d3ac85/734167578996_cover.jpg/296x296bb.webp
- 23leyva — Apple Music credits
3 quotes
Leyva Leyva - Single Mehrpouya Daneshvar , Mehdi Saki May 30, 2022
"name":"Mehrpouya Daneshvar","roleNames":["Songwriter"]
"name":"Mehdi Saki","roleNames":["Songwriter"]
- 24leyva — Spotify
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Leyva - song and lyrics by Mehrpouya Daneshvar, Mehdi Saki | Spotify Leyva Mehrpouya Daneshvar Leyva 2022 1:56 Lyrics Sign in to see lyrics and listen to the full track Sign up Artist Mehrpouya Daneshvar Artist Mehdi Saki
- 25Leiva — Zang Records
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Leiva - Mehrpouya Daneshvar - Mehdi Saki by Zang Records published on 2022-05-26T02:25:26Z Genre Folk & Singer-Songwriter
- 26Butterflies hugging each other — Ava Rasti
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https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a1538819944_5.jpg
Butterflies hugging each other from A Butterfly Fly From Each Fingertip by Ava Rasti
- 27butterflies — Apple Music credits
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Butterflies Hugging Each Other (feat. Mehdi Saki) A Butterfly Fly From Each Fingertip (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Single Ava Rasti February 24, 2023
Butterflies Hugging Each Other (feat. Mehdi Saki)
"name":"Ava Rasti","roleNames":["Composer"]
- 28The Diver — Kamakan
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https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-mwOrR66Ou6qVYJqE-xZtdmg-large.jpg
the diver – غوآص by Kamakan published on 2026-08-08T13:56:29Z به نام خدآ سالهاست و کماکآن مرآ عهدی ست با شآدی که شآدی آنِ من باشد... غوّاص امّا غم نامه ایست برای ِ جهانِ الانِ مآن، از ونکوور تا تهران... هشداری ست به مردمِ خوبِ باقیمانده (و حتی آنها که بدی می‌کنند!) از سرزمینی که شهرِ یاران بود و خاکِ مهربانآن! وصفِ حالِ ماست، به جهانِ اَلان که قشنگ نیست! وما هنوز زنده آییم و امید داریم❤️ _____________ غَوّآص The Diver... جمع آوری و تنظیم مهدی ساکی ،سآم مظاهری Composed&Arranged Mahdi Saki,Sam Solino شعر حسین جنتی Songwriter Hossein Jannati ضبط و مسترینگ Recording and mastering Andy Schichter Park Sound Studio Vancouver موشن گرافی امیرمسعود صالحی Motion graphics Amirmasoud salehi تهیه‌کننده کماکآن Produced KAMAKAN project LTD. 2025 Genre Folk & Singer-Songwriter
- 29Videos | Kamakan
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https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jvkyo7R_Rd0