Farhad Darya
Farhad Darya |
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Farhad 'Darya' Nasher (Pashto/Persian: فرهاد دریا), born on September 22, 1962, in the Guzargah section of Kabul, is a singer and composer from Afghanistan. Widely popular, he has earned affection for not only his music but also patriotism. He has fan base that stretches from his native Afghanistan to Pakistan, Europe, North America and extending to Australia. Farhad sings in various languages including: Pashto, Persian, Uzbek, and Hindi.[1]
Early years and personal life
Farhad Darya was born in Kabul to Pashtun and Tajik parents.[2] Farhad's lineage can be traced to the Nasher family.
Farhad attended Sher Khan High School, which was named after his grandfather. He started his first band by the name of Nayestan, meaning Reed-bed. He graduated from Habibia High School. Later, he enrolled at the Polytechnical University of Kabul and then subsequently at Kabul University. It was while attending Kabul University that Farhad founded his first professional band, Goroh-e-Baran, meaning Rain Band. Initially it was to be called Halqahai Tilayee (Golden Rings) but the newcomers later settled on the former title. The band itself was not largely successful, due in part to its non-traditional music; however, it did acquaint the public with the faces of the member singers: Farhad Darya, Asad Badie, Mukhtar Majid and Jawid Rahie. Still involved in his music career, Farhad continued his studies in college. During this time, he wrote music for other artists under the pseudonym Abr (Cloud). In 1988, Farhad became a professor at the university and taught Western classical music for a year before leaving for Europe.
After traveling through Prague and Hamburg, Farhad arrived in Paris, where he would meet his future wife Sultana Emam. The two were married in 1993, and moved to the United States in 1995, where they still live in the state of Virginia. In 1996, Farhad's son Hejran Darya was born.
Career
Up Until late 1980s
During the 1980s, Farhad's focus was his education and his singing profession did not materialize into an established career. Mainly involved with the Rain Band, he was only recognized merely as a single part of a whole group. However, after his emigration from Afghanistan and the dissolution of the group, he embarked on a solo career. A positive step, this proved to be the move that eventually ascended him to international fame.
1990s to Present
Since Farhad's television debut on Afghanistan's television network in 1980, he has released over two dozen albums-the acclaimed ones produced in exile-many of which deal with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the resulting misfortunes of the war-torn nation. Most of the music is aimed at helping the people of Afghanistan and bringing unity to his native country. His 2003 album Salam Afghanistan, specifically, dealing with themes of national unity became an overnight hit. These efforts have earned him much acclaim and the title of "Best Singer of the Year" in his country, and most recently in Copenhagen, Denmark.
He has sung songs in various Afghan dialects, as well as in Uzbeki and Hindi-Urdu. Farhad Darya started playing Afghan and Indian classical music since 1978. He intends to expand his knowledge in this domain as much as possible. Most of Darya's vocal exercises are in accordance with the rules of Afghan-Indo classical music.[3]
Contributions
Music
Farhad has been credited to write, compose, organize, and direct numerous songs for various other Afghan singers. Along his entertainment involvements, Farhad has also been involved in philanthropy work, especially for the disadvantaged victims of the civil war in Afghanistan. He is known to be highly patriotic and this has contributed to the growing popularity of the singer. His recent album Salam Afghanistan (سلام افغانستان) is a reflection of the nostalgia for his homeland.
Films
Farhad Darya produced additional scoring and lyrics for Through Her Eyes a short film written and directed by Mithaq Kazimi. [4]
Farhad Darya produced background music for the film In Foreign Land (1998).[5]
Awards
Afghanistan: Best Singer of the Year (2003)
Denmark: Best Singer of the Year (2005)
Discography
- Released in Afghanistan
- Yaare Bewafaa (یار بی وفا)
- Rahe Rafta (راه رفته)
- Afghan Folk Music (محلي)
- Zaro Jane (زارو جانه)
- Baran (باران)
- Ghazal (غزل)
- Bolbole Awara (بلبل آواره)
- Mazdeegar (مازديگر)
- Bazme Ghazal (غزل بزمي)
- Mehrbaani (مهربان)
- Released Abroad
- Begum Jan (بگم جان)
- Teri Soorat (तेरी सूरत تیرِی صورت)
- Ateschparcha (آتش پرچه)
- Afghanistan (افغانستان)
- Live In San Francisco (كنسرت سانفرآنسييسكو)
- Shakar (شكر)
- In Foreign Land (در سرزمين بيگانه)
- Live In Europe (كنسرت اروپا)
- Qabila-e-Ashiq (قبلة عاشق)
- Golom Golom (گلم گلم)
- Salaam Afghanistan (سلام افغانستان)
References
- ^ Afghan Lyrics: Farhad Darya
- ^ Asgarov, Adil. "Nasher, Farhad (1962–)." Biographical Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. Ed. Michael Fischbach. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale Group, 2008. 564-566. 2 vols. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Thomson Gale. "PERSONAL HISTORY Nasher was born on 22 September 1962 in a Kunduz, Gozargah, Kabul province of Afghanistan. His father was an ethnic Pashtun and his mother was a Tajik. "
- ^ The Official Website of Farhad Darya: News
- ^ Through Her Eyes or [Through Her Eyes (2006), not in IMDB database
- ^ Review of In Foreign Land at Afghanland