Ahmad Zahir (Pashto/Dari: احمد ظاهر; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was an Afghan singer, songwriter and composer. Dubbed the "Elvis of Afghanistan",[1] he is widely considered the all-time greatest singer of Afghanistan.[2] The majority of his songs were in Dari followed by Pashto, with a few in Russian, Hindi and English.[3][4]
Zahir recorded at least 14 studio albums before his abrupt death on his 33rd birthday in 1979. His music blended folk music, Persian literature, Indian classical music and Western pop and rock styles.[2] Among Afghans, he is considered an icon of Afghan music and is widely regarded as the single greatest musician of all time, posthumously reclaiming immortal fame due to his contributions and influence on music in Afghanistan.[5] He has also become an icon of peacetime pre-war Afghanistan.[6]
Zahir attended Habibia High School in Kabul and formed "the amateur band of Habibia High School" including Omar Sultan on guitar, Farid Zaland on congas, and Akbar Nayab on piano. Zahir played the accordion and sang. They performed locally during public holidays such as Nowruz, Eid ul-Fitr and Afghan Independence Day.[15] Zahir gained considerable popularity in Kabul as a talented singer with a soulful voice. His baritone chest voice and evocative singing gave him the title of "Bulbul-e- Habibya", "the Nightingale of Habibia".
He attended and graduated from Daru' l-Malimeen ("Teachers' College") in Kabul, and studied for two years in India to get a degree as an English instructor.[16] After his return from India, Zahir got a job as a journalist for The Kabul Times,[17] but soon began work on his first album. He worked closely with Afghan composers Nainawaz and Taranasaz. His first recorded song, "Gar Kuni Yak Nizara", was his own composition, blending Indian raga with western pop rhythms.[15]
Zahir worked with mentors such as Ismail Azami (saxophonist), Nangalai (trumpeter), Abdullah Etemadi (drummer), and other musicians including Salim Sarmast, Nainawaz, Taranasaz and Mashour 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.[citation needed] Zahir was on the scene of Afghan music for only 10 years at the most; yet, managed to record more than 30 albums. This was and is unique in any music industry around the world. All of these albums were successful and widely accepted (to this date) by everyone. The musicians managed to complete these recordings almost 40 years ago with almost no technology of today's world, and all was done in live recordings.
A controversy regarding the relation between his song "Tanha Shodam Tanha" and Claude Morgan's song "El Bimbo" (1974) exists. Some sources date the song and the album "Lylee" on which it appeared to 1971,[18] which would make Morgan's version a cover, and some (mostly based on a previous version of this article) date it to 1977, reversing the relationship.
Because of his musical family background, Zahir helped to establish music as a more respected profession which in turn led to the founding of The Kabul Music School in 1974.[19]
Following the Saur Revolution, Zahir criticized the leaders of the new communist regime in three songs in resistance to their oppression,[20] modelling himself after one of his heroes, John Lennon, who used rock music for anti-war resistance in the west.[21][5]
Of all the Afghan musicians, the person most closely associated with creating the distinct Afghan sound of music is Ahmad Zahir. After the great Afghan singer Sarban, Zahir played the most vital role in the development of the Afghan musical style. Highly educated, well-travelled, and an extraordinarily gifted musician, Zahir had an overwhelming passion for music and arts since his early childhood. He learned to play various musical instruments including the harmonium, guitar, and accordion (his favourite instrument) by the time he was 16 years old. His privileged and affluent background (his father, Abdul Zahir, was an ambassador, a minister, and later the Prime Minister of Afghanistan) gave him the opportunity to travel and become exposed to the burgeoning musical revolution of the 60s and 70s occurring in the United States, Europe, and India. He was an avid listener of all genres of music and he incorporated elements of western (pop, rock, jazz), Indian, Middle Eastern (Arabic, Iranian), European (French and Italian belle chanson, Spanish Flamenco), and Afghan Folk in his songs.
Although the distinct Afghan sound (as opposed to the Indian classical, folkloric Afghan music, and western music) was created by the Persian singer Sarban in partnership with the legendary composer Salim Sarmast, Zahir was the one who popularized the sound and took it to the masses. Sarban's songs such as Ahesta Bero, Khorsheede Man, Ay Sarban, Mushjke Taza Mebartad, Dar Daaman-e-Sahra, are considered the pearls of Afghan Persian music. However, the sombre poetry, complex music & numerous other subtleties of these songs could be appreciated only by a minority of highly educated and erudite Afghans. The songs were not popular items of entertainment for the consumption of the common man. Ahmad Zahir simplified the lyrical, compositional, and orchestral aspects of Sarban and Sarmast's musical tradition. This does not mean he made the style simplistic, but that he made it accessible and thus hugely popular to the masses, especially the youth of Afghanistan. For instance Zahir's song "Khoda Buwat Yaret" is a great example of an unmistakably Afghan musical sound. The lyrics of the song are understandable by almost all Persian speakers regardless of their education and knowledge of Persian poetic tradition, yet the poeticism, imagery, and emotional impact is as powerful as the best of Sarban's songs. As a result of this accessibility of Ahmad Zahir's songs, the vast majority of future Afghan singers who sang in the unique Afghan style were influence primarily by Ahmad Zahir and not Sarban (whose songs few had heard). Thus, Zahir can truly be credited as the singer responsible for the realization of a unique and distinct Afghan musical language—separate from the Indian, Iranian, western, and folkloric musical traditions.
Zahir's debut album was recorded with Radio Kabul. It is the first Afghan album that falls in the western genre of music, consisting mostly of pop songs. However, although the rhythms, melody lines, and texture of songs were identifiably Afghan pop, there was a prominent Afghan (or rather eastern) element to them to—rather than use drums, Zahir opted for the tabla to hold the rhythm of the songs. Zahir's favourite instrument, the accordion (a western albeit not pop instrument) heavily features in this album. The most popular song of this album was "Az Ghamat Ay Nazanin."
However, it was Zahir's second album (also recorded with Radio Kabul) that not only shot him to superstardom, but was also hailed by critics as an artistic masterpiece. The album has a distinctly Afghan sound, very much a continuation of the distinct Afghan style of music created by the singer Sarban and Salim Sarmast. However, unlike the music of the Sarban & Sarmast duo (which were highly erudite lyrically & complex musically), Zahir's album retains the main elements of the Afghan sound but with a very popular and easily accessible lyrical and musical language. Songs like Hama Yaranam, Rozo Shabam (which is a collaboration with the great Afghan singer Nashenas), Tanha tuyere, and Tora Afsoone Chashmanam were hugely popular due to their easily accessible lyrics (mainly to the youth) and a sound that suited the Afghan musical palate perfectly.
Other Zahir albums and songs mostly continue the musical style of this album with songs like Agar Bahar Beyayad, Laili Lail Jan, Khuda buwat Yaret. Zahir was one of the first Afghan musicians not to shy away from covering great songs of other artists. He considered covering music of other artists as paying homage to their artistic brilliance. He covered a playback of the famous Indian film Bobby (which was a hit in Afghanistan at the time), Iranian songs (Sultan-e Qalbha, Hargez Hargez, Hamash Dardo Hamash Ranjo),[22][23] and even some of the greats of the west Enrico Macias,[24][25] Elvis Presley. This versatility and willingness to adopt musical creations of others for his own performance, greatly enhanced the merit of his own musical creations.
Assassination
Ahmad Zahir was assassinated by unknown gunman from the top of a mountain on 14th, June 1979, on his 33rd birthday. It was reported in the media that he killed in a car accident around the Salang Tunnel, but some claim he was assassinated as his political stance was at odds with the Marxist government of the time; supposedly he was lured out the city by a close friend and two female accomplices and subsequently murdered.[15] Others believe that he was murdered on the order of senior politician Hafizullah Amin or that of Amin's trusted aide Daoud Taroon, due to an affair between Zahir and Amin's daughter.[21][26] A large crowd of mourners attended Zahir's funeral in Kabul, clogging the city streets and bringing daily activities to a halt.[5] He left behind a son, Rishad, from his first wife Najia, who he eventually divorced.
Legacy
After his death, Zahir was considered a national hero.[27] His tomb was destroyed by members of the Taliban in the late 1990s, but was later rebuilt by loving fans.[28] It was renovated as recently as 2018 by fans who have established a foundation in his name in hopes of continuing his legacy.
His songs "Khuda Buwad Yaret", "Asman Khalist", "Agar Bahar Beyayad", "Laili Laili Jan", "Chashme Siya Dari", "Zim Zim (Kajaki Abroyet)" and many others, are known by the vast majority of Afghans. They are ranked as some of the greatest songs created in Afghanistan's musical history.
Zahir was listed as one of 50 golden voices in history who have made their mark internationally, according to National Public Radio (NPR).[5][29]
The Academy Award-nominated American film director Sam French has been tapped in 2018 to direct a documentary film about Zahir's life.[30][31]
Mohammad Zahir Shah was the last King of Afghanistan, reigning from 8 November 1933 until he was deposed on 17 July 1973. Ruling for 40 years, Zahir Shah was the longest-serving ruler of Afghanistan since the foundation of the Durrani Empire in the 18th century.
The music of Afghanistan comprises many varieties of classical music, folk music, and modern popular music. Afghanistan has a rich musical heritage and features a mix of Persian melodies, Indian compositional principles, and sounds from ethnic groups such as the Pashtuns, Tajiks and Hazaras. Instruments used range from Indian tablas to long-necked lutes. Afghanistan's classical music is closely related to Hindustani classical music while sourcing much of its lyrics directly from classical Persian poetry such as Mawlana Balkhi (Rumi) and the Iranian tradition indigenous to central Asia. Lyrics throughout most of Afghanistan are typically in Dari (Persian) and Pashto. The multi-ethnic city of Kabul has long been the regional cultural capital, but outsiders have tended to focus on the city of Herat, which is home to traditions more closely related to Iranian music than in the rest of the country.
Mohammad Hashem Cheshti, also known with surname Chishti and as Ustad Hashem, was a contemporary classical musician and composer born in Kharabat area of Kabul, Afghanistan, who died in 1994 in Germany under unclear circumstances.
Farhad Darya is an Afghan singer, composer, music producer, and philanthropist. Active since the 1980s, Darya has been one of the most renowned and influential Afghan pop musicians of the modern era, contributing to establishing new wave in Afghanistan and blending urban and rural styles. Darya's career has spanned multiple genres - including semi-classical ghazal, pop, folk, and rock - as well as both his native languages Dari Persian and Pashto as well as Uzbek, Hindi and English.
Abdul Zahir was an Afghan politician who was Prime Minister of Afghanistan for over a year in the early 1970s, during the reign of King Mohammad Zahir Shah.
Jalil Zaland was a veteran singer and composer of Afghanistan's golden music era. Zaland was one of the biggest music stars of Afghanistan and he earned the honorific Ustad and is therefore best known as Ustad Zaland. As a Persian speaker, his classic melodies were also highly acclaimed in Iran and Tajikistan.
Zarar Ahmad Moqbel Osmani is a politician in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan who was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Interior. Previously, he was Minister of Counter Narcotics and Governor of Parwan Province. Prior to this, he was Chief of Police of Parwan province and First Secretary to Afghan Embassy in Tehran. He also joined the mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War, fighting against the Afghan government led by Mohammad Najibullah.
Zahir Howaida, also spelled as Zahir Huwaida, was an Afghan Hazara musician. He had been active since the 1960s and his popularity peaked with the hit songs "Kamar Bareek-e-Man" and "Shanidam Az Inja Safar Mikoni." Howaida was renowned for his deep, soulful voice. Almost all his songs were in the Persian language. Aside from singing, he also worked as a radio news anchor, poet, and TV actor. In his later years, he lived a secluded life in Germany and seldom performed until his death there.
Fazel Ahmad Zekrya, known professionally as Nainawaz was a renowned Afghan artist, poet and composer. He has composed some of the most iconic pieces in Afghan popular music.
Ahmad Shah, Crown Prince of Afghanistan was the second son of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the overthrown King of Afghanistan. He held the title of Head of the House of Barakzai from his father's death in July 2007, until his death in June 2024.
Shekeb Hamdard, born as Ahmad Shekeb, is a well-known singer from Afghanistan. He is ethnically Hazara and currently continues his music career in the United States. He is the first winner of Afghan Star, a reality TV show in Afghanistan.
Naim Popal is an Afghan singer, songwriter, and composer.
Zahira Zahir is a Washington barber and cosmetologist. Zahira's salon is in the Watergate hotel. She is known for cutting the hair of United States President George W. Bush. The President's nickname for her is Z.
Habibia High School is a school in Kabul, Afghanistan which has educated many of the former and current Afghan elite, including former Presidents Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai, as well as musician Ahmad Zahir. It was founded by King Habibullah Khan in 1903 and is considered one of the oldest schools In Afghanistan. It is situated in Karteh Seh, a district in the south of the Afghan capital.
Abdul Hadi Dawi was an Afghan poet, diplomat and government official. His works were published under his pen name, Pareshan (worried).
The Centre d'Enseignement Français en Afghanistan (CEFA) consists of two Franco-Afghan schools in the center of Kabul, Afghanistan, together educating around 6,000 Afghan students.
Rishad Zahir is a United States–based Afghan singer and musician. He is the son of the Afghan singer Ahmad Zahir.
Ahmad Wali is an Afghan Ghazal singer. He began his career in the 1970s, becoming popular in his native country before he was forced to flee by political upheaval in Afghanistan. He continued his work after resettling in Germany, performing throughout Europe and North America.
Ahmad Naser Sarmast is an Afghan-Australian ethnomusicologist. He is the founder and director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music.
The Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) is an exiled school of music that was formerly operated in Kabul, Afghanistan and is currently based in Lisbon, Portugal. It was founded in 2010 by the Afghan-Australian ethnomusicologist Dr. Ahmad Naser Sarmast, and offers a curriculum combining the tuition of both Afghan and Western music. ANIM is a co-educational institute.
1 2 "Ahmad Zahir: The Enduring". Arwa Haider. BBC News. 6 December 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2019. A new documentary celebrates Ahmad Zahir, the '60s and '70s icon who mysteriously died in 1979. Arwa Haider talks to the people making the film, including Zahir's daughter, about how the singer combined popularity with protest.
↑ Hainard, Jacques; Pierre Centlivres; Roland Kaehr (1997). Dire les autres: réflexions et pratiques ethnologiques: textes offerts à Pierre Centlivres (in French). Éditions Payot. p.107. ISBN2-601-03221-9.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
