Farzaneh Kaboli (Persian: , romanized: Farzâneh Kâboli; born 2 May 1949 in Tehran) is an Iranian dancer, choreographer, and actress. She is a leader in the Iranian Folkloric and National Dance Art and a master of choreography in Iranian theaters.
Early Life:
Farzaneh Kaboli was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. Both of her parents were musicians. Her uncle, Ali Asghar Garmsiri, was a pioneer of Iranian theatre, and her uncle Houshang Shokati was a famous Iranian singer.
Dance:
Kaboli’s passion for dance was ingrained in her from a young age. She studied at the Iranian National and Folkloric Dance Academy for three years, starting at the age of 18. The academy was the school for the National Folklore Society of Iran and had some of the best dance instructors and choreographers in the world. Kaboli had the privilege of being taught by Robert de Warren and his wife Jacqueline from England, who were the primary instructors at the academy.
Eventually, Kaboli became a principal dancer for the school dance company, Mahalli. She showcased her talent and skill as a ballerina before the Iranian Revolution. However, in 1979, dancing was no longer allowed in Iran, putting an end to Kaboli’s career as a dancer in her home country.
Undeterred by the ban, Kaboli continued to pursue dance. She began teaching private dance classes in her Tehran apartment as part of an underground dance movement. Performing in public after the revolution carried the risk of imprisonment or fines. Despite the challenges, Kaboli remained dedicated to her craft and continued to nurture her love for dance.
In 1998, after 22 years away from the stage, Kaboli made a triumphant return at Vahdat Hall in Iran. She performed alongside her students, marking a significant milestone in her career. Inspired by her own experiences, she established her own dance company in 1999 called Harekat. Kaboli exclusively performed for female audiences within embassies, providing a safe space for women to express themselves through dance.
Throughout her career, Kaboli has mentored numerous talented dancers, such as Ulduz Ahmadzadeh and Ida Meftahi, further cementing her influence and impact on the Iranian dance community.
Acting:
In addition to her prowess in dance, Kaboli has also made a mark as an actress. She ventured into acting after the Iranian Revolution, showcasing her versatility and talent on stage. Her first major role as an actress was in the play titled All My Sons by Arthur Miller, directed by Akbar Zanjanpour. In this play, she starred alongside renowned actors and actresses Khosrow Shakibayee, Hady Marzban, and Soraya Ghasemi.
Kaboli’s contributions as an actress extended beyond this initial role. She played a leading role in Hadi Marzban’s production of Memoirs of the Actor in a Supporting Role in 1982, showcasing her ability to captivate audiences with her performances on stage.