Şivan Perwer, born on December 23, 1955 in Sarıdam (Sorî), Siverek is a poet, a singer a performer on the tembûr (lute) and a leading Kurdish artist. He captivates audiences not only by his charismatic and controversial personality, but above all his powerful, highly emotional voice and the hypnotic rhythm of his music. For many years, his songs – even those about love – were banned in Iraq, Iran and Turkey because they were sung in Kurdish.