Dr. Safvat is best known for his mastery of Setar and Santour. He began learning to play the Setar at an early age from his father, Ali Asghar Safvat, who also played the ancient instrument.[4] Among others, Dr. Safvat studied with two other Masters of Persian classical music, Abolhasan Saba and Haj Agha Mohammad Irani.[5] He is credited with having taught some of the most talented Iranian musicians of the 20th century in Iran, including well-known santour players Parviz Meshkatian and Majid Kiani, and master setar player, Jalal Zolfonoun.[6] However, Dr. Safvat himself claims the person who had the most influence on his life and music was Ostad Elahi, a Persian judge, philosopher, theologian and master musician.