TEHRAN -- In a heartfelt tribute to one of Iran’s most iconic santur virtuosos, the First National Payvar Santur Playing Award has officially opened its call for entries. 
Scheduled for December 2025, this landmark event celebrates the life and legacy of Maestro Farhang Payvar—a pioneering musician, composer, and educator who shaped modern Iranian traditional music.
Organized in collaboration with the Arasbaran Cultural Center and supported by the quarterly journal Studies in Art and Aesthetics, the award aims to nurture and promote the art of santur playing across generations. 
Emerging talents and seasoned performers alike are invited to compete in four distinct age categories (A to D), progressing through two competitive phases: video submissions followed by live performances. A special category dedicated to improvisation will also spotlight spontaneous musical creativity.
The deadline for video submissions is November 16, 2025, with the final round taking place on December 12 and the grand closing ceremony held on December 20—coinciding with the anniversaries of both Farhang Payvar and legendary master Abolhasan Saba. The events will be hosted at the prestigious Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran.
The distinguished jury panel features luminaries of Iranian music, including Alireza Bashardoust, Vesal Salehian, Alireza Geranfar, Pegah Zohdi, Shadi Rahmani, and Mehdi Mortezaei in the preliminary round. The final adjudication will be led by celebrated musicians Nader Sinaki, Mina Oftadeh, Kourosh Matin, Pouya Saraei, and Asghar Muhammadi. Pouya Muhammadi serves as the artistic director, while Muhammad Reza Azizi oversees executive coordination.
Winners will be honored with an array of prestigious prizes, including a handcrafted santur, cash awards, scholarships for advanced masterclasses, and the invaluable opportunity to perform on renowned stages. Official certificates from the festival will further recognize their artistic achievements.
For registration and detailed information, interested participants can visit the official website at www.payvaraward.ir.