Narmin Qadîr (1962 - 2025)

Narmin Qadîr, a celebrated figure in Kurdish theatre and television whose work spanned over four decades, passed away on August 5th, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. She was 63.

Source: Narmin Qadîr

Born in 1962 in Slemani, Narmin began her acting career at the young age of 13, making her debut on stage in 1975. Her commanding presence, emotional range, and deep dedication to her craft quickly made her one of the most respected actresses in Kurdish theatre. She remained a staple of the Kurdish stage until 1998, when she transitioned to television.

Narmin Xan achieved widespread fame through her work in Barnamay Barnama, a satirical comedy show that became a cultural phenomenon across Kurdistan. Her sharp wit and ability to portray everyday struggles with humour and compassion earned her a special place in the hearts of audiences throughout Kurdistan and the diaspora.

Narmin Qadîr on set with her fellow actors, including her daughter Lolan Azad. (Source: IMDb)

Narmin never shied away from the harsh realities she faced as a Kurdish woman growing up. Even in her youth, she navigated complex dynamics -like the white lies she told her father about performing only with women, when in truth, there were men in the cast - moments that strained his trust. Her relationship with her mother was also tricky and marked by emotional distance. Tragedy shadowed her early life, including the brutal murder of her seven-year-old brother in the mid-1970s, and years later, the devastating loss of her husband, Azad, in 1994, which left her homeless. Together, Narmin and Azad had two children, including their daughter Lolan Azad, who continues her mother’s artistic legacy through theatre. Despite the fame she achieved, Narmin lived modestly in her later years, facing illness and adversity with the same quiet strength that defined her presence on stage.

Narmin Qadîr passed away in Slemani following complications from pancreatic cancer, for which she had undergone surgery in Baghdad. Her death marks the end of an era for Kurdish performing arts, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, laughter, and artistic excellence and paving the way for other Kurdish women, who also dreamed of nothing more than being on a stage.

She was laid to rest at Bazian Cemetery, just outside her hometown.

Narmin Qadîr is survived by her two children and a grieving theatre community that will long remember her voice, her presence, and the joy she brought to countless lives.