Tasnif ( fa, تصنيف) is one of the several forms of

Persian music Persian music may refer to various types of the music of Persia/Iran or other Persian-speaking countries: * Persian traditional music * Persian ritual music *Persian pop music * Persian symphonic music * Persian piano music See also *Music of Ira ...

and can be considered as the Persian equivalent of the

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

. It is a composed song in a slow metre. As is true of other forms of musical composition, most tasnifs are of relatively recent origin and by known composers. A large number of tasnifs were composed during the first two decades of the twentieth century. Many of them are based on patriotic themes reflecting the spirit of the constitutional movement of that period. Tasnifs composed during the twenties and the thirties are more concerned with amorous topics and the poetry used is generally from the works of classical poets. In the post-World War II period, the poetic context has gradually become light and the music of the tasnif has been affected by western popular songs. This more 'modern' type of tasnif is generally called '' tarāne''.

See also

Further reading