Azadoota's Founder, Robin Zirwanda, Was Born in Iraq, Where His People

Azadoota’s logo is derived from an 8th Azadoota performs in costumes inspired by Century BC depiction of the Assyrian god our ancient royal ancestors, Ashurbanipal, Ashur. Originally shown shooting his bow AshurNasirpal, Nebuchadnezzar – which from a winged sun-disc among rain clouds, presents a colourful spectacle and inspires we’re rocking him up with a guitar. discussion in the audience about Assyrian heritage, musical history and cultural continuity. Azadoota’s founder, Robin Zirwanda, was born in Iraq, where his people, the Assyrians, have lived for 7000 years. He migrated to Australia alone at age 17, with a suitcase, a guitar and not a word of English. Eventually his family joined him, and they settled in the remote Arnhem Land (NT) town of Nhulunbuy, where the bauxite mine offered plenty of work. Robin assimilated quickly into the local culture, joining a band and forming a close bond with the indigenous community, gaining an invaluable insight into another ancient culture. When he moved back to Sydney he worked as a percussionist initially in the cabaret scene, then with original bands on the pub circuit. Then in the early nineties, the rising profile of World Music inspired Robin to start writing his own songs in his native Assyrian Neo-Aramaic language, a language that is predicted to be extinct within two generations. But although he wrote lyrics in Assyrian, Robin’s music was heavily influenced by the styles he’d been performing as a percussionist, and this became the foundation for Azadoota. We call it “contemporary Assyrian dance-rock worldbeat.” Azadoota is formed Album realease: Album release : Performance highlight: Music video & single Performance Highlight: Music video & single Music video & single Featured Tour: Music video & single Music video release: Featured Tour: Return to They launch the band Planetarian Beyond Bridges WOMADelaide release: “Lishana (Jesus Woodford Folk Festival release: “Mazreta” release: “Unity” USA and Canada release: “Shinneh” (Years) “Bruni” (Son) Arnhem Land with the first of many “A tight, tasty “Infectious, foot-tapping, “If one were to pick a Spoke My Language)” “Dance rock outfit (Spinning Top) A party anthem with a Azadoota are recognised This poignant closure Filmed at the lavish After 43 years, Robin tours up the East Coast. smorgasbord of locally hand-clapping, body- single act that sums Lishana is an upbeat Azadoota performed a In this song Robin uses serious message, Unity for their work representing ballad was the last song Morgan Estate in returns with Azadoota to produced worldbeat.” whirling slice of exotic up the Womad spirit, it rallying cry for young fast-paced set of songs the childhood toy as a was a top-25 semi-finalist the Assyrian people in the Robin worked on together California, Bruni is a the town that launched - Limelight rhythms” - The Australian would probably be the Assyrians to preserve from the Middle East that metaphor for heritage, for World Music in the global arena, performing with his late father, Iraqi comedic representation of his musical career. A Australian Iraqi party band their ancient language. danced the night away and its spinning with the International Songwriting in USA as a Culturally pop idol Awimalk Haider. an Assyrian mother doting bittersweet trip for Robin, Azadoota.” - The Guardian with a wonderful set of turning of the Earth and Competition 2018. Unique act. on her precious son. The but Azadoota sets the sounds from a mystic era.” the passage of time. video is a viral hit among whole town abuzz. - AU Review Assyrians worldwide. 1996 2006 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2018 2018 2019 2019.

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