The music of the Bakhshis of Khorasan is a type of Persian folk music that includes poetry, literature, mysticism, and ethics. Bakhshis are luthiers, poets, and singers in the north of Khorasan and Turkmen Sahra. Known for their musicians who narrate stories and epic poetry, they also produce music and tell stories through poetry. Agriculture is their main occupation. The Bakhshis' music consists of stories from Islamic and Gnostic poetry expressing mythological, historical, or legendary themes. Similar to other Maqams of Folkloric music, it has developed from the life of nomads (of Turkish and Kurdish descent) migrating through the area.
People of Khorasan believe that singers and musicians do not qualify as Bakhshi artists if they only possess talent as a singer or musician. For one to qualify as a true Bakhshi artist, however, one must possess all the skills of making dotar, playing music, singing songs, improvising, and composing poetry. People believe that only God can grant you such a gift as an artist, as the word Bakhshi is derived from the word "Bahshesh meaning "giving" or "gift". Performing artists in this style of music should be entitled to a very high status artistically, spiritually, and mystically. Therefore, these artists are highly respected and valued among the Khorasan people and their elders. The singers of this style of music are often gray-bearded grandfathers from this region.
Bakhshis' music includes instrumental and vocal pieces performed in various languages, such as Turkish, Kurdish, Turkmen, and Persian. The most widespread magham is Navāyī, which is diverse, vocal, rhythmless, and has gnostic poems accompanying its use. Other examples are Tajnīs and Gerāyelī, performed in Turkish, Shākhatāyī, an antique romantic genre, and Loy, belonging to the Kormanj Kurds of Northern Khorasan. One of the strings of the dotar is considered to be male and the other female by the Bakhshis; the male string remains open, but the female string plays the main melody.
As time passed, Maqami music became popular in family circles, funerals, parties, and even was used to heal patients. Today, the situation is different. Maqami music has become a favorite for happy occasions and has become part of Iranian culture. These days it is sung by adults and children alike. It is not uncommon for the Bakhshis of Khorasan to perform in concerts all over the world. These musicians have received numerous awards and recognitions for their exceptional skills.
Traditionally, Bakhshis music is passed on either through the traditional master-pupil method, which is restricted to male relatives or neighbors or through modern methods that train a large number of students of both genders from different backgrounds. These methods transmit history, culture, ethics, and religious fundamentals. This indicates that the Bakhshis' social role, beyond that of narrators, is much more significant. According to this definition, they are legal judges, mediators, and healers as well as guardians of the ethnocultural heritage of their communities.
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