Homayoun Shajarian and his family in Sulaymaniyah

In Tehran Shajarian became an employee of the state radio organization and sang with various ensembles using the nom d'artiste (pseudonym) of Siavash Bidkani, but he began using his own name in 1971. He studied the radif with various masters, in particular Abdollah Davami, an octogenarian master musician who lived as a recluse and generally did not accept students. Shajarian persuaded him to make an exception for him, in return for which he became the master's personal secretary.