Ebrahim Ghanbari Mehr (1928-2022) *94

was an Iranian musical instrument maker. When he was six, his father died and the family financial situation got worse, so, after passing the fifth grade of primary, at age 11 he quit school and started working at tinny[clarification needed], forging, machining, and carpentry. Being interested in music, after a few years he was able to learn music with Abolhassan Saba, who started teaching him to play the violin, without charge. After spending a period of notation and familiarity with the steps and techniques of Iranian and Western music, Saba suggested teaching him how to make violins. He and Saba went to meet Soren Araklyan, a Russian immigrant and the author of Monverni, and learn about his ideas and his research about music. Araklyan introduced Ganbari to the head of the Fine Arts Department, who offered him paid employment. After a year Saba died.

In 1960, Ganbari went to Watlo instrument-making school in France to develop his skills; Atin Watlo was a famous specialist in striking instruments[clarification needed] at his time. Soviet violist David Fyodorovich Oistrakh visited the workshop, and Ibrahim Ganbari asked Walto if he could let Oistrakh play his violin; his opinion was:

"Congratulations for your eagerness, talent and perseverance which has been put into your extraordinary made violin, I've seen such a perfect instrument that has the qualities together. I wish you great success in the future" Sincerely yours, David Oistrakh Paris, 16 June 1960

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