Sanam Pourbabaei: Remembering the Young Violinist Killed in Iran Protests
On January 8, 2026, 26-year-old violin teacher Sanam Pourbabaei was shot and killed during protests in Lahijan, Iran. In the days that followed, a simple video of her playing violin with a guitarist began circulating online—a quiet moment that has become a powerful tribute to a young musician whose life was cut short.
Who Was Sanam Pourbabaei?
Sanam Pourbabaei was a violin teacher from northern Iran, living near the city of Rasht in the Gilan Province. By all accounts, she was dedicated to her craft, teaching students and performing music in her community. She was 26 years old—at an age when many musicians are just beginning to establish themselves professionally and artistically.
Unlike famous concert violinists who perform in grand halls, Sanam's world was likely one of practice rooms, small recitals, and the quiet satisfaction of helping her students improve. That ordinariness—the fact that she was simply a young woman doing what she loved—is what makes the news of her death feel so immediate and tragic to musicians around the world.
The Video That Changed Everything
This is a recording of Sanam playing violin with a guitarist, captured before her death:
In the video, you see a focused young musician playing her instrument with calm concentration. There is nothing dramatic or staged about it—just a violinist and a guitarist performing together in what appears to be an intimate setting. For many people who watched this after hearing about her death, this simple performance became the way they chose to remember her: not as a casualty or a headline, but as an artist.
The Context: Protests and Crackdowns in Iran
Sanam was killed during a broader wave of protests and security crackdowns in Iran that began in late 2025 and has continued into 2026. According to human rights organizations and international media reports, hundreds of people have been killed in these demonstrations. Among the victims are activists, students, artists, and ordinary citizens—including musicians like Sanam.
Reports indicate that Sanam was in the streets of Lahijan with friends when security forces opened fire on demonstrators. Her family later faced difficulties in recovering her body, a pattern documented in other protest-related deaths. The circumstances surrounding her killing reflect the broader human cost of the current political upheaval in Iran.
Why Her Story Matters to Musicians
For musicians around the world, the death of Sanam Pourbabaei carries a particular weight. She was not a famous soloist or a celebrated international performer—she was a violin teacher. That makes her relatable. Every music student who has studied with a passionate instructor, every violinist who has performed in a small venue, every musician who has felt the quiet joy of making music with others, can see themselves in her story.
In Iran, music has always occupied a complicated space. While classical music is part of the country's rich cultural heritage, musicians and artists have sometimes faced restrictions and pressure from authorities. The killing of Sanam during political protests raises difficult questions about artistic freedom, personal safety, and the role of culture in times of social upheaval.
Sharing Her Memory Respectfully
Since news of her death spread, musicians, journalists, and ordinary people have shared the video of Sanam playing violin. Each time someone posts it, they make a choice about how to tell her story. Some share it as a symbol of lost potential—a young artist with years ahead of her. Others share it to say: this is what we're fighting for. This is what we lose when violence silences a voice.
If you decide to share this video or this article, consider what you want people to understand about Sanam. That she was a teacher. That she was talented. That she was a real person with hopes and plans that will never come to pass. That framing—focusing on who she was rather than only how she died—is a way of honoring her memory with dignity.
The Broader Impact on Iranian Artists
Sanam is one of several artists reported killed or severely injured during the current protests in Iran. The loss of young creative talent has prompted international advocacy groups to document these deaths and call for investigations. For the global music community, the case of Sanam Pourbabaei has become a reminder of how fragile artistic freedom can be, even in countries with deep musical traditions.
Remembering Through Music
One of the most powerful responses to Sanam's death has been the act of listening to her play. In a world of endless news cycles and political debates, a simple 3-minute video of a young woman playing violin can be a way to center her humanity. That is what the circulating footage has become for many: not a piece of evidence or a symbol of protest, but a window into who she was.
If you listen to the video above, you're not just hearing a performance. You're hearing the work of someone who spent years learning her instrument, who shared that knowledge with students, and who believed music was worth the risks she took to play it freely. That is the Sanam Pourbabaei worth remembering.
Further Reading
For more information about Sanam Pourbabaei and the broader situation in Iran, you can read reports from:
- The Strad – Violinist Sanam Pourbabaei killed in Iran protest
- Iran International
- Hindustan Times – Coverage of protest victims
- Iran Human Rights
This article was published to honor the memory of Sanam Pourbabaei and to raise awareness of the ongoing situation for artists in Iran. Comments should remain respectful and thoughtful.
