The Iranian female DJs shaking the dance floor and breaking taboos - BBC News

Growing up in a country where mixed-sex raves are illegal, the women getting the crowds dancing are now pushing cultural boundaries.

3 days agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage caption, Paramida is one of the world's most renowned DJs of Iranian originBy Faranak AmidiBBC 100 WomenMixed-sex raves are illegal in Iran but they happen anyway - far away from the prying eyes of the morality police - and some of the female DJs getting the crowds dancing are also breaking taboos and pushing cultural boundaries.

Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution turned the country's cultural life upside-down.

Pop music, deemed non-revolutionary, was banned, so many musicians fled. At the same time it was declared sinful, or haram, for women to sing.

A thriving pop and cabaret scene died almost overnight. And yet, behind closed doors, some things continued as before.

"Indecent" music cassettes and CD were smuggled into the country from abroad, delivered secretly to people's homes. Then, once dinner was over, lights would be dimmed and living rooms became dance floors.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-68486410

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