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Ahmad Zahir

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Ahmad Zahir
Musical artist

Ahmad Zahir (Pashto/Template:Lang-fa - Aḥmad Zāhir; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was a singer, songwriter, and composer from Afghanistan. Known for his unique touch and soulful interpretations, he is considered an icon of music in Afghanistan and is sometimes called the "King of Afghan music". Almost all of his songs are in Persian; many are based on well-recognized Persian poems.

Biography

Ahmad Zahir was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 24, 1325 of the Jalali calendar) in Laghman. His father, Abdul Zahir, was a royal court doctor, minister of health, Prime Minister of Afghanistan between 1971 and 1972, speaker of the parliament and an influential figure in the Zahir Shah era who helped write the Constitution of Afghanistan after graduating from Columbia University of New York.

Ahmad Zahir attended Habibia High School in Kabul in the early 1960s. He sang and played the accordion in a band mainly consisting of his friends and classmates including Omar Sultan on guitar, Farid Zaland on congas and Kabir Howaida on piano. The band later became known as the amateur band of Habibia High School and performed in local concerts during celebratory occasions like Nowruz, Eid, and Afghan Independence Day.

He later attended and graduated from Daru' l-Malimeen ("Teachers' College") in Kabul, then continued his higher education for two more years in India to get a degree as an English instructor. Eventually, however, he decided that music was his true calling. Ahmad Zahir began his solo career composing songs based on well-recognized Persian poems. His first recorded song, "Gar Kuni Yak Nizara", was his own composition, sung in the pilo raga. He continued writing and recording songs such as "Azeezam Ba Yaadat", "Ahista-ahista", "Akhir Ay Darya", "Hama Yaranam", "Agar Sabza Boodam", "Guftam Ke Mekhwaham Tura", "Shabe Ze Shabha" and "Parween-e Man".

Zahir worked with mentors such as Ismail Azami (saxophonist), Nangalai (trumpeter), Abdullah Etemadi (drummer), and other musicians including Salim Sarmast, Naynawaz, Taranasaz, and Mas'hour Jamal. He recorded over 22 albums in the 1970s. His songs were noted for their mellifluous tone, poetic style, compelling depth, and passionate emotional evocation. His lyrics covered a wide range of subjects. Many of his songs contained autobiographical elements or political criticism of Afghanistan's government. As a result many of his recordings were destroyed by the government.

Death and legacy

Zahir died on June 14, 1979, on his 33rd birthday. According to his son Rishad, Zahir "was assassinated by the order of a communist general named Daud Taroon, who used one of Ahmad Zahir’s best friends as an accomplice to carry out his orders". Ahmad Zahir’s political stance was at odds with the communist government of the time.

Ahmad Zahir's son Rishad Zahir currently lives in United States.

Discography

Afghan Music albums

  • Vol. 1 - Dilak am (1973)
  • Vol. 2 - Bahar (1973)
  • Vol. 3 - Shab ha ye zulmane (1974)
  • Vol. 4 - Mother (1974)
  • Vol. 5 - Awara (1975)
  • Vol. 6 - Ghulam-e Qamar (1975)
  • Vol. 7 - Sultan Qalbaam (1976)
  • Vol. 8 - Az Ghamat Hy Nazaneen (1976)
  • Vol. 9 - Gulbadaan (1971)
  • Vol. 10 - Yaare Bewafa (1977)
  • Vol. 11 - Lylee (1977)
  • Vol. 12 - Ahmad Zahir and Jila (1978)
  • Vol. 13 - Ahange Zindagee (1978)
  • Vol. 14 - Shab-e Hijraan (1979) (posthumous release)

Note: Audio cassette versions of many of Zahir's Afghan Music albums are missing some songs that are present on the original vinyl records.

Ariana Music albums

  • Vol. 1 - Daard-e Dil (1972)
  • Vol. 2 - Mosum-e Gul (1977)

Note: The original Ariana Music record albums contain many hidden tracks.

Music Center albums

  • Vol. 1 - Ashiq rooyat Mon (1973)
  • Vol. 2 - Neshe Gashdum (1976)
  • Vol. 3 - Lylee Jaan (1977)
  • Vol. 4 - Ahmad Zahir Ba Sitara Haa (1977)
  • Vol. 5 - To Baamanee (1978)

Private albums

  • Shamali
  • Hindi Songs
  • Afghanistan Songs
  • Agar Bahar Byayad
  • Ahmad Zahir & Nainawaaz
  • Almase-Sharq
  • Gulhaayi-Jawedan
  • Gulhayi Nafaramoshshuda
  • Khateraha
  • Khudaat-Medani Guleman
  • Laily-Laily-Jan
  • Raaze-Penhan
  • Soorodhayie-Jawedan
  • Yaad-Mandaha
  • Zindani

Other discography information

  • He has over 10 private recording albums from 1965–1978.
  • He only recorded 2 music videos in Radio Kabul TV: "Laylee Jaan" in 1976 and "Khuda Buwat Yarret" in 1977.
  • Ahmad Zahir recorded several songs in Radio Kabul and Radio Afghanistan studios which later came out as albums. Eight of these albums have been released.

References

  1. "Kabul Journal; The Afghan Elvis 'Lives' 24 Years After His Death". New York Times. March 20, 2003
  2. ^ Maiwandi, Farid. "Ahmad Zahir – A biography in brief (in the words of his son - Rishad Zahir)". Ahmadzahir.com. Retrieved 19 November 2010.

External links

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