Iraj (Hossein Khajeh Amiri), was born in 1934 in Khaled Abad town of Kashan, about 100 miles south of Teheran, Iran. He began his musical career at the age of 6 by practising traditional Persian singing (Avaz) under his father. According to the Masters of Iranian Music book, Iraj’s grandfather was a special singer for Nasereddin Shah, a king of the Ghajar dynasty. Iraj’s professional career started when Ostad (Master) A. Saba introduced him to the Iranian government operated radio station at the age of 14.