To any western viewer it would have been the most normal thing in the world: a TV programme showing a group of musicians performing and playing live in the studio.
But viewers in Iran found themselves rubbing their eyes in disbelief when the morning programme broadcast the musicians playing traditional Persian instruments, because for many it was the first time they had seen such instruments on national television.

Although the Islamic republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) tolerates non-western music – albeit to an extent – and singers are regular guests there, musical instruments have been banned on state TV for more than three decades.

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