Across the world, protests have witnessed the power of music to become a rallying call and a beacon of hope. Chants turn into songs, and songs turn into anthems, all carrying the emotions of the people who might otherwise not have a platform to express themselves. In the past few years, the Iranian protest movement has seen the emergence of some incredible music that reflects the emotions of the people, including the pain, anger, courage, and hope they have managed to express through their songs.
Man Zendeam Hanooz: A Protest Song from Iran’s Resistance Movement
Among the latest additions to the growing list of songs and music emerging from the Iranian protests is the powerful protest song “Man Zendeam Hanooz” (“I Am Still Alive”) by Iranian composer Adib Ghorbani, with lyrics by Vienna-based, Iranian poet Pooyan Moghaddassi.
This song, released in the early part of 2026 and performed by Iranian music students and a choir, has already begun to circulate on the web and among the supporters of the Iranian pro-democracy movement.
The sound of a movement
To fully comprehend the effect of “Man Zendeam Hanooz,” it is necessary to briefly discuss the cultural context in which this piece emerged. Following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, Iran is facing one of the largest protest movements in its modern history.
As a result of this protest, which featured slogans such as “Woman, Life, Freedom,” the Iranian people challenged their government and expressed their desire for a change in their social and political systems.
In this context, music emerged as a key component of this protest movement. Perhaps the most famous piece of music to emerge from this protest is “Baraye” by Shervin Hajipour, a piece of music in which a variety of protest slogans were combined into a set of lyrics.
Man Zendeam Hanooz also emerged in this context, as the lyrics of the song are based on the slogans the Iranian people were sharing on social media in the aftermath of the recent internet shutdown. When people regained access to the internet, they started letting friends and family know: “I am still alive.”
Also read: How protest musicians became icons and targets in Iran’s Women, Life, Freedom movement
“I am still alive”
“Man Zendeam Hanooz” is a song that is performed in less than two minutes, but its brevity is part of its strength. The title is a powerful phrase, and on the most individual level, it speaks to survival – as thousands of Iranians have faced arrest or worse during the protests. But the phrase is more than that.
It is also a statement that speaks to the collective group as a whole. It is a statement that says even if people as individuals are silenced, they as a whole are still here. They are still alive.
Ghorbani writes on his Soundcloud page: “With the eternal memory of the homeland and dedicated to the noble people of Iran; to the courage that lives and the life and revolution that does not fade away.”
Art under pressure
However, the production of protest music in Iran is not without peril. Artists have been arrested, interrogated, and banned from professional practice. Some artists have opted to produce the protest music anonymously or from exile.
Despite the challenges, protest music is still being produced. This is due to the ease of disseminating the information through the internet, which helps the activists within Iran connect with the Iranian diaspora and the international community.
Thus, the protest music acts as a bridge for the Iranian people, the diaspora, and the international community, which is otherwise divided by the Iranian government’s censorship.
To artists like Ghorbani, the production of such protest music is a statement of intent. It is a statement that the government cannot control art, and that art is a powerful form of protest.
Also read: Iranian musician who was imprisoned for his music receives 74 lashes as part of his punishment
The power of a simple message
It is precisely because of its simplicity that “Man Zendeam Hanooz” is so compelling. It does not require any complex lyrics or storytelling. It is simply a declaration of existence.
In situations where people are uncertain and afraid, words like these are incredibly empowering. They remind people that resistance is not simply about acts of defiance, but also about determination – the determination to continue speaking, singing, and living, in spite of those who seek to silence them.
Throughout history, protest songs have been a key tool in this kind of resistance. Whether it is civil rights music, anti-war songs, or any other kind of protest music, it gives people a common language to speak in terms of resilience and determination. Ghorbani’s piece is a perfect example of this.
To those outside of Iran, the song “Man Zendeam Hanooz” is a window into the inner workings of the Iranian protest movement. While the headlines tell of conflict, arrests, or political pronouncements, the song represents another level of the protest movement.
Ultimately, the strength of the song is not in the tune itself, but in what the song represents. It represents the fact that in the midst of repression, people continue to make music, to sing, to proclaim their existence.
