Ali Zandi

Ali Zandi (, ‎; 1956–2024) was a famous traditional Kurdish singer and musician from Sna, Kurdistan province, Iran. Ali was born to a family from Sîâsarân village, and raised in the Âlawlâkh village, Leîlâkh area. He is famous for his impact on the Kurdish music by bringing the folk music of Leîlâkh to social media through live performance in Kurdsat, Kurdistan TV and Zagros TV as well as publishing several albums such as Nâlae Nîwashaw (mid-night cry) and Hâmed Alîjanî, an album in memory of less-known poet and Âref of Leîlâkh Hâmed Alîjani. There are also various tracks that have been recorded in family and friend gatherings singing pristine and unique folk melodies of Leîlâkh. He published more than 10 albums and a dozen of tracks with amateur recording.

Early life and education Ali Zandi was inspired by his father when reciting books in gatherings when many people were uneducated. He also found his interest through the sounds from nature. He was a classmate of Naser Razzazi and Najmaddin Gholami. Rashid Fainezhad, Mozaffar Kamgar and Niaz Santoor. Ali believed that most of problem of Kurdish communities is due to cultural and educational poverty which is rooted from economic problem. Gardoon Âmâne Azîz Ba Gîâno Hâmed Alîjanî Shamâl Âmâne Bâwa Yâl Nawroz Tawnî Daka Kechî Kurd Sâ Mâl Âwâ Âzîzakam Wak Jaerânakân

Death Ali Zandi died of brain cancer on 3 April 2024 at the age of 67 after second brain surgery, when he had many hopes to be recovered. According to one of his close friends living in Iran, he went under one more surgery during 2020 while he was sure that the tumor was just begun. After his death, Shaho Andalibi was among the people who acknowledged his ability in Kurdish folk music and indicated that Ali complained about the terrible situation, i.e. social and political issues, of the Kurdish folk singers.