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'''Ahmad Zahir''' ([[Pashto]]/{{lang-fa|<big>'''احمد ظاهر'''</big>}} - ''Aḥmad Zāhir''; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was a [[singer]], [[songwriter]], and [[composer]] from [[Afghanistan]]. He is considered an icon of [[Music of Afghanistan|music in Afghanistan]] and is sometimes called the "King of Afghan music". Almost all of his songs are in [[Farsi language|Persian]] and based on well-recognized [[Persian poetry|Persian poems]], while a few are in [[Pashto language|Pashto]] and English.<ref>[http://afghanland.com/entertainment/music/ahmadzahir.html Ahmad Zahir]</ref>
'''Ahmad Zahir''' ([[Pashto]]/{{lang-fa|<big>'''احمد ظاهر'''</big>}} - ''Aḥmad Zāhir''; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was a [[singer]], [[songwriter]], and [[composer]] from [[Afghanistan]]. He is considered an icon of [[Music of Afghanistan|music in Afghanistan]] and is sometimes called the "King of Afghan music". Almost all of his songs are in [[Farsi language|Persian]] and based on well-recognized [[Persian poetry|Persian poems]], while a few are in [[Pashto language|Pashto]] and English.<ref>[http://afghanland.com/entertainment/music/ahmadzahir.html Ahmad Zahir]</ref>


==Biography==
za
Zahir was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 24, 1325 of the [[Jalali calendar]]) in [[Laghman]].<ref name=NewYorkTimes20030320>
{{Cite news
| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E2DB1331F933A15750C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
| title= Kabul Journal; The Afghan Elvis 'Lives' 24 Years After His Death
| publisher=[[New York Times]]
| author=Amy Waldman
| date=March 20, 2003
| accessdate=2008-02-03
}}</ref> His father, [[Abdul Zahir (Afghan Prime Minister)|Abdul Zahir]], was a royal [[court]] [[Physician|doctor]], minister of health, [[Prime Minister of Afghanistan]] between 1971 and 1972,<ref>{{cite web|last=Baily|first=John|title=Afghan music before the war|url=http://www.mikalina.com/Texts/music-afghanistan.htm|work=Mikalina.com|accessdate=24 May 2011}}</ref> speaker of the parliament and an influential figure in the [[Zahir Shah]] era who helped write the [[Constitution of Afghanistan]]. Ahmad Zahir belonged to the Tajik ethnic group and lived in Kabul.


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 [[conga]]s 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]],{{disambiguation needed|date=August 2011}} and [[Afghan Independence Day]].<ref name="bio">Maiwandi, Farid. [http://www.ahmadzahir.com/sub/biography.html "Ahmad Zahir – A biography in brief (in the words of his son - Rishad Zahir)". Ahmadzahir.com. Retrieved 19 November 2010.]</ref>
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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 [[pilu]] [[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".<ref name="bio"/>
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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.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} His lyrics covered a wide range of subjects. Many of his songs contained autobiographical elements or political criticism of Afghanistan's government.<ref name=Inskeep/> As a result many of his recordings were destroyed by the government.

The Zahir professionally was on the scene of Aghan Music for only 10 years at max; however, Zahir managed to record more than 30 albums, this was and is unheard of in any music industry around the world, to note, all these albums were successful and widely accepted (to this date) by everyone. The kings managed to complete these recordings almost 40yrs ago with almost no technology of today's world, and all was done in live recordings. It is said the kings recorded his Arian Music Album 1 in one day, that had more than 12 songs.

==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 [[Democratic Republic of Afghanistan|communist government]] of the time<ref name="bio"/> who claimed that he had died in a car accident.<ref name=Inskeep>{{cite news|last=Inskeep|first=Steve|title=Ahmad Zahir: The Voice Of The Golden Years|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123137188|accessdate=24 May 2011|newspaper=Morning Edition|date=1 February 2010}}</ref> A large crowd of mourners attended Zahir's funeral in Kabul, clogging the city streets and bringing daily activities to a halt.<ref name=Inskeep/>

After his death Zahir became a national hero and his image was mythologized by the Afghan people.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hainard|first=Jacques|title=Dire les autres: réflexions et pratiques ethnologiques: textes offerts à Pierre Centlivres|year=1997|publisher=Éditions Payot|isbn=2601032219|pages=107|coauthors=Pierre Centlivres, Roland Kaehr|language=French, English}}</ref> Because of his privileged 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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Emadi|first=Hafizullah|title=Culture and customs of Afghanistan|year=2005|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=0313330891|pages=105}}</ref>

Ahmad Zahir's son [[Rishad Zahir]] currently lives in the [[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==
{{reflist}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewID=3579|title=Review of '' Anthology of World Music: The Music of Afghanistan''|work=Delusions of Adequacy Reviews |accessdate=January 28, 2006}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
*{{cite book|title=Music in the Mind: The Concepts of Music and Musician in Afghanistan|author=Sakata, Hiromi Lorraine|year=1983|publisher=Kent State University Press|isbn=0-87338-265-X}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ahmadzahir.com/ AhmadZahir.com] Official website

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1946
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = June 14, 1979
| PLACE OF DEATH = Salan Pass, Parwan Province, Afghanistan
}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:1979 deaths]]
[[Category:Afghan musicians]]
[[Category:Afghan singers]]
[[Category:Pashtun people]]
[[Category:Persian music]]

[[ar:أحمد ظاهر]]
[[ca:Ahmad Zahir]]
[[de:Ahmed Zahir]]
[[es:Ahmad Zahir]]
[[fa:احمد ظاهر]]
[[fr:Ahmad Zahir]]
[[ps:احمد ظاهر]]
[[fi:Ahmad Zahir]]
[[sv:Ahmad Zahir]]
[[tl:Ahmad Zahir]]
[[tr:Ahmed Zahir]]

Revision as of 15:32, 8 October 2011

Ahmad Zahir
Ahmad Zahir before 1979
Ahmad Zahir before 1979
Background information
Birth nameAhmad Zahir
GenresBoozy-rock, pop, ghazals
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, composer
Instrument(s)Harmonium, piano, accordion, Farfisa, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, combo organ
Years active1967–1979
LabelsAfghan Music, Aj Musik, EMI, Music Center

Ahmad Zahir (Pashto/Persian: احمد ظاهر - Aḥmad Zāhir; 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was a singer, songwriter, and composer from Afghanistan. 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 and based on well-recognized Persian poems, while a few are in Pashto and English.[1]

Biography

Zahir was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 24, 1325 of the Jalali calendar) in Laghman.[2] His father, Abdul Zahir, was a royal court doctor, minister of health, Prime Minister of Afghanistan between 1971 and 1972,[3] speaker of the parliament and an influential figure in the Zahir Shah era who helped write the Constitution of Afghanistan. Ahmad Zahir belonged to the Tajik ethnic group and lived in Kabul.

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,[disambiguation needed] and Afghan Independence Day.[4]

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 pilu 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".[4]

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.[citation needed] His lyrics covered a wide range of subjects. Many of his songs contained autobiographical elements or political criticism of Afghanistan's government.[5] As a result many of his recordings were destroyed by the government.

The Zahir professionally was on the scene of Aghan Music for only 10 years at max; however, Zahir managed to record more than 30 albums, this was and is unheard of in any music industry around the world, to note, all these albums were successful and widely accepted (to this date) by everyone. The kings managed to complete these recordings almost 40yrs ago with almost no technology of today's world, and all was done in live recordings. It is said the kings recorded his Arian Music Album 1 in one day, that had more than 12 songs.

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[4] who claimed that he had died in a car accident.[5] A large crowd of mourners attended Zahir's funeral in Kabul, clogging the city streets and bringing daily activities to a halt.[5]

After his death Zahir became a national hero and his image was mythologized by the Afghan people.[6] Because of his privileged 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.[7]

Ahmad Zahir's son Rishad Zahir currently lives in the 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. ^ Ahmad Zahir
  2. ^ Amy Waldman (March 20, 2003). "Kabul Journal; The Afghan Elvis 'Lives' 24 Years After His Death". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  3. ^ Baily, John. "Afghan music before the war". Mikalina.com. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Maiwandi, Farid. "Ahmad Zahir – A biography in brief (in the words of his son - Rishad Zahir)". Ahmadzahir.com. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Inskeep, Steve (1 February 2010). "Ahmad Zahir: The Voice Of The Golden Years". Morning Edition. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  6. ^ Hainard, Jacques (1997). Dire les autres: réflexions et pratiques ethnologiques: textes offerts à Pierre Centlivres (in French and English). Éditions Payot. p. 107. ISBN 2601032219. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Emadi, Hafizullah (2005). Culture and customs of Afghanistan. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 105. ISBN 0313330891.

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