احمد ظاهرAhmad Zahir
Ahmad Zahir in One of his Album Covers (1970s)
Background information
Birth name
Ahmad Zahir
Born
June 14 1946(1946--)Laghman, Afghanistan
Died
June 14 1979 (aged 33)Kabul, Afghanistan
Genre(s)
Soft rockPopghazalsArabesque music
Occupation(s)
Singersongwritercomposer
Instrument(s)
Harmonium, Piano, Accordion, Electronic keyboard, Acoustic Guitar & Electric guitar
Years active
1960s–1979
Label(s)
Afghan Music, Ariana Records, Music Center, EMI
Ahmad Zahir (Persian: احمد ظاهر) (June 14, 1946 - June 14, 1979), was an Afghan singer, songwriter and composer. A celebrity of enduring popularity more than a quarter century after his death, he is considered an icon of Afghanistani music.
Ahmad Zahir was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 23, 1325 of the Persian calendar) in Laghman, Afghanistan. He was from Pashai and Tajik descent and was born to a royal court doctor, who was also a one-time prime minister. His father, Abdul Zahir, was an influential figure in the Zahir Shah's era. Due to his nobility of birth, Ahmad Zahir's profession as a singer later became a point of contention between the singer and his elitist father. Still, he loved to sing and pressured by his fans also to kept him performing.
Ahmad Zahir's interest in music developed early, with his involvements in his high school’s band in the early 1960s. The Amateur Band of Habibia High School, as they became known, modeled themselves after such Western musical groups as the Beatles. The five-member band garnered notability with their performances in local concerts. Most of these were on occasions of large celebrations (Nouroz, Eid, Afghan Independence Day, etc.) and were centered in or around Kabul.
Career
1960s
Rising from the acclaim of the band, Ahmad Zahir branched onto his solo career by the late 1960s. Much to the dismay of his father who looked forward to a political career for his son, Ahmad didn’t follow his father’s footsteps in statesmanship. Instead, he retained his political insight and later on integrated them into his music. Carrying his musical instincts to new heights, he began composing songs based on well recognized verses of Persian poetry. The meaning and depth of his songs quickly garnered him national attention as did the tenor voice that was complementary to a wide range of musical notes. This work earned critics’ commendation, marking him one of the few musicians who achieved this prestigious honor from the start. The release of his first album was celebrated on radio and newspapers across Afghanistan as jubilant fans fought for the remaining copies of the best seller.
70s Album Cover
1970s
Earning such wide renown, Ahmad was quickly introduced to the best of Afghanistan’s music scene by the thrilled recording studios. Working with such veteran mentors as now late saxophonist Ustad Ismail Azami, trumpeter Ustad Nangalai and Abdulla Atamadi Dramest other composers such, Salim Sarmast, Naynawaz, Taranasaz, and Mas'hour Jamal, he had recorded by the late 70s over 22 albums. His songs were noted for their mellifluous tone, poetic style, compelling depth, and passionate emotional evocation. Creating an aesthetic vocabulary in dealing with joy, love, pain, and loneliness in his music that is seen as unparalleled by other Afghan singers. Covering such wide range of subjects, his music had a multi-dimensional lure. Most of this songs were autobiographical.
After 1970, some years he released more than two albums; and by 1973 (1352 of Afghan Calendar), his popularity had developed into a national frenzy. Dominating all the media of Afghanistan, the Ahmad Zahir Subject was the headlines of magazines and radio stations. His concerts became sold-out festivities where fawning fans would jostle in packed concert halls to get a glimpse of the singer.
By the mid 70s, Ahmad Zahir's fame had matured and his popularity spilled over national boundaries. At the formal invitation of Empress Farah (then ruler of Iran), he sang the famous melody "Banu Banu" in her honor which he performed in the Royal Court of Iran. After returning to Afghanistan following his well received Iran tour, Ahmad Zahir was conferred the national Singer of the Year award. In his acceptance speech, he advised aspiring singers that "Ghorur shikast hunari bar mewarad…riqabati hunari bayad sahlim bashad nah hasahdat amiz” (vanity brings failure to artistry…competition in arts needs to be void of envy).
Toward the latter part of 70s, his iconic image transformed to that of a national hero, with his fans celebrating him as Conqueror by Music. In this time period he also became devout patriot as many of his songs from this time period reflect his strong political views.
Ahmad Zahir Personal Site
Political controversy
With the rise of various political factions in the late 70s, Ahmad Zahir became conscious of the socio-political transformation of Afghanistan. Some of his radical songs such as "Zindagi akhir sarayad" conveys the views of a revolutionary artist. His next song "Ilahi man namedanam" played on the radio stirred controversy for its politically provocative lyrics. According to government insiders, the song's verse "Tu padshah-e haft kishwar" drew criticism from the government. The administration assumed Ahmad Zahir had denounced President Daoud Khan who was also minister of numerous cabinet positions. Soon radio stations banned the song due to the political pressure levied by the government.
Then in April 1978, the republic was replaced by dictatorship led by President Taraki and eventually by Hafizullah Amin. In recordings of his upcoming albums, he voiced his protest against the Taraki-Amin regime in at least three songs: "Safar bih roshenahi" and "Chi mulk ra baad" and "Bigzarad bigzarad." In the last song, he referred to Taraki as Tariki (Persian: darkness), making a mockery of the new political leader.
Death
Ahmad Zahir's life came to an end on the morning of June 14, 1979, his 33rd birthday. Zahir was on the Salang pass Highway when reportedly he was involved in a so called automobile accident that caused his death but soon after Ahmad Zahir's body was brought back to Kabul some of his closest friends said that Ahmad Zahir was accompanied with a man and a women when he left Kabul to head to the North of afghanistan for picnic but this friend seems to be a fraud and worked for Pakistani intelligence and was payed to kill ahamad zahir to give the newly communist regime a bad name.also who was with Ahmad that sad day and is to be believed to been involved in Ahmad Zahir's murder by being payed off by Army Officer Taroon who was assigned to (Get rid of Ahmad Zahir), in order to give the newly formed communist regime a bad name. Others say that Hafizullah Amin killed him, because his daughter was in love with him, and Ahmad Zahir was someone who never stayed with one girl.
Foul play and conspiracy
To this day, there is no solid agreement as to what exactly caused Ahmad Zahir's death. While some theorize the windy roads of Salang as the main cause, others cite alcohol as the culprit. However, a growing body of evidence accumulated suggest possibly foul play on behalf of the antagonized political figures or possibly in-laws involvements. Some doctors, who later re-examined Ahmad Zahir’s body after autopsy, concluded he was also shot in the head. As to when he was shot, before or after the accident, could not be determined.
Theories have emerged as to possible suspects in Ahmad Zahir’s murder, if classified as such. They are 1) Taraki-Amin regime henchmen whom he had condemned in his songs, 2) the powerful family of his second wife who were unhappy with his liberal lifestyle.
Legacy
Ahmad Zahir’s fame has not been compared to any previous singer in Afghanistan’s history, earning him as Afghanistan’s Nightingale title. His status has been unrivaled even 27 years after his death (as of 2006). Posthumously granted the status of a luminary, the renditions of his songs serve to this day as voice and music training lessons for the aspiring singers. As a matter of fact, in performances of other popular Afghanistani singers, there is always a request for an Ahmad Zahir song. Often others’ voice command is evaluated based on Ahmad Zahir’s standards, a reference point to whom the new singers are measured. He is still celebrated as the most popular Afghanistani music phenomenon and, for many, the purest embodiment of modern Afghan music.
With over 22 albums (not including the improvised recordings) in less than 15 years, he has more songs to his credit than any other Afghanistani singer. His albums are still outselling all other Afghanistani singers both inside and outside Afghanistan. He is widely popular in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikestan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Turkey.
Personal life
Ahmad Zahir married twice . He and his first wife divorced in 1973, at the zenith of his career. Little is known about the reason of this split but it is widely speculated his celebrity status was consuming their marriage. Ahmad Zahir remarried in 1977 and he left behind two children, a son (first marriage) and a daughter from his second marriage) both of whom live in the United States.
Trivia
He sampled a number of Italian tunes, a few are from composer Nino Rota including a tune from Fellini's film I Vitelloni
The majority of his songs are autobiographical
He was a fan of Sarban whose songs he sampled
He & his first wife Najia were divorced because of Ahmad Zahir's celebrity status was taking a toll on his personal life and certain gossip of him having affairs with different women. He is also an Afghan, NOT AFGHANISTANI-a term that Sitam E Milli Communist Tajik groups have constructed to destroy Afghanistan.
One of Ahmad Zahir's noted albums, and some can argue "the best album" in terms of Western musical arrangement, was Ahmad Zahir with The Stars in 1977; it took 16 late nights of recording at the Music Center studios in Kabul (source Azam Parvanata, lead guitarist of The Stars)
His son was born in Seattle, Washington while he and his wife Najia were on vacation
He highly respected John Lennon
However, he was the only one who could sing by a talent and centuries will pass, but no one will come as he came to the music world.
Disography and other Info
He has 14 albums under The Afghan Music label, 2 albums under Ariana Music, 5 albums under Music Center, and more then 10 privately recorded studio albums through 1965 - 1979.
Afghan Music #1 (Dilak- am) - 1967
Afghan Music #2- (Bahar) - 1967
Afghan Music #3- (Shab ha ye zulmane) - 1968
Afghan Music #4-(Mother)- 1969
Afghan Music #5- (Awara) 1969
Afghan Music #6- (Ghulam-e Qamar) - 1970
Afghan Music #7- (Sultan Qalbaam) - 1970
Afghan Music #8- (Az Ghamat Hy Nazaneen) - 1971
Afghan Music #9- (Gulbadaan) - 1971
Afghan Music #10- (Yaare Bewafa) - 1971
Afghan Music #11- (Lylee) - 1971
Afghan Music #12- (Ahmad Zahir And Jila) - 1972
Afghan Music #13- (Ahange Zindagee) - 1972
Afghan Music #14- (Shab-e Hijraan) - 1973
Note: that most of his Afghan music albums have other songs that should go with the original albums but because of the time and space on audio cassettes a lot of his songs are moved from the original recordings. If people have the original vinyl records then they have all of the songs that should be placed on the albums.
NOTE: The dates on these albums are questionable. For example, his last album "Afghan Music #14" was released three months after his death in August 1979. Yet according to the above dates, album "Afghan Music # 14" is released in 1973! The dates need to be to updated with accurate dates.
Ariana Music #1- (Daard-e Dil) - 1973
Ariana Music #2- (Mosum-e Gul) - 1974
Note: For people who have the original Ariana records for Ahmad Zahir there are many hidden tracks in the original albums.
Music Center #1 (Neshe Gashdum) - 1974
Music Center #2 (Ashiq rooyat Mon) - 1975
Music Center #3 (Lylee Jaan) - 1976
Music Center #4 (Ahmad Zahir Ba Sitara Haa) - 1977
Music center #5 (To Baamanee) - 1978 (completed in 1978 but released in 1979 after his death)
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
It is said that he has several music videos and a concert recorded on video in Iran.
It is rumored that Ahmad Zahir has a concert and majliss that Radio Kabul had recorded but the Khalq regime destroyed the recordings.
Ahmad Zahir in One of his Album Covers (1970s)
Background information
Birth name
Ahmad Zahir
Born
June 14 1946(1946--)Laghman, Afghanistan
Died
June 14 1979 (aged 33)Kabul, Afghanistan
Genre(s)
Soft rockPopghazalsArabesque music
Occupation(s)
Singersongwritercomposer
Instrument(s)
Harmonium, Piano, Accordion, Electronic keyboard, Acoustic Guitar & Electric guitar
Years active
1960s–1979
Label(s)
Afghan Music, Ariana Records, Music Center, EMI
Ahmad Zahir (Persian: احمد ظاهر) (June 14, 1946 - June 14, 1979), was an Afghan singer, songwriter and composer. A celebrity of enduring popularity more than a quarter century after his death, he is considered an icon of Afghanistani music.
Ahmad Zahir was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 23, 1325 of the Persian calendar) in Laghman, Afghanistan. He was from Pashai and Tajik descent and was born to a royal court doctor, who was also a one-time prime minister. His father, Abdul Zahir, was an influential figure in the Zahir Shah's era. Due to his nobility of birth, Ahmad Zahir's profession as a singer later became a point of contention between the singer and his elitist father. Still, he loved to sing and pressured by his fans also to kept him performing.
Ahmad Zahir's interest in music developed early, with his involvements in his high school’s band in the early 1960s. The Amateur Band of Habibia High School, as they became known, modeled themselves after such Western musical groups as the Beatles. The five-member band garnered notability with their performances in local concerts. Most of these were on occasions of large celebrations (Nouroz, Eid, Afghan Independence Day, etc.) and were centered in or around Kabul.
Career
1960s
Rising from the acclaim of the band, Ahmad Zahir branched onto his solo career by the late 1960s. Much to the dismay of his father who looked forward to a political career for his son, Ahmad didn’t follow his father’s footsteps in statesmanship. Instead, he retained his political insight and later on integrated them into his music. Carrying his musical instincts to new heights, he began composing songs based on well recognized verses of Persian poetry. The meaning and depth of his songs quickly garnered him national attention as did the tenor voice that was complementary to a wide range of musical notes. This work earned critics’ commendation, marking him one of the few musicians who achieved this prestigious honor from the start. The release of his first album was celebrated on radio and newspapers across Afghanistan as jubilant fans fought for the remaining copies of the best seller.
70s Album Cover
1970s
Earning such wide renown, Ahmad was quickly introduced to the best of Afghanistan’s music scene by the thrilled recording studios. Working with such veteran mentors as now late saxophonist Ustad Ismail Azami, trumpeter Ustad Nangalai and Abdulla Atamadi Dramest other composers such, Salim Sarmast, Naynawaz, Taranasaz, and Mas'hour Jamal, he had recorded by the late 70s over 22 albums. His songs were noted for their mellifluous tone, poetic style, compelling depth, and passionate emotional evocation. Creating an aesthetic vocabulary in dealing with joy, love, pain, and loneliness in his music that is seen as unparalleled by other Afghan singers. Covering such wide range of subjects, his music had a multi-dimensional lure. Most of this songs were autobiographical.
After 1970, some years he released more than two albums; and by 1973 (1352 of Afghan Calendar), his popularity had developed into a national frenzy. Dominating all the media of Afghanistan, the Ahmad Zahir Subject was the headlines of magazines and radio stations. His concerts became sold-out festivities where fawning fans would jostle in packed concert halls to get a glimpse of the singer.
By the mid 70s, Ahmad Zahir's fame had matured and his popularity spilled over national boundaries. At the formal invitation of Empress Farah (then ruler of Iran), he sang the famous melody "Banu Banu" in her honor which he performed in the Royal Court of Iran. After returning to Afghanistan following his well received Iran tour, Ahmad Zahir was conferred the national Singer of the Year award. In his acceptance speech, he advised aspiring singers that "Ghorur shikast hunari bar mewarad…riqabati hunari bayad sahlim bashad nah hasahdat amiz” (vanity brings failure to artistry…competition in arts needs to be void of envy).
Toward the latter part of 70s, his iconic image transformed to that of a national hero, with his fans celebrating him as Conqueror by Music. In this time period he also became devout patriot as many of his songs from this time period reflect his strong political views.
Ahmad Zahir Personal Site
Political controversy
With the rise of various political factions in the late 70s, Ahmad Zahir became conscious of the socio-political transformation of Afghanistan. Some of his radical songs such as "Zindagi akhir sarayad" conveys the views of a revolutionary artist. His next song "Ilahi man namedanam" played on the radio stirred controversy for its politically provocative lyrics. According to government insiders, the song's verse "Tu padshah-e haft kishwar" drew criticism from the government. The administration assumed Ahmad Zahir had denounced President Daoud Khan who was also minister of numerous cabinet positions. Soon radio stations banned the song due to the political pressure levied by the government.
Then in April 1978, the republic was replaced by dictatorship led by President Taraki and eventually by Hafizullah Amin. In recordings of his upcoming albums, he voiced his protest against the Taraki-Amin regime in at least three songs: "Safar bih roshenahi" and "Chi mulk ra baad" and "Bigzarad bigzarad." In the last song, he referred to Taraki as Tariki (Persian: darkness), making a mockery of the new political leader.
Death
Ahmad Zahir's life came to an end on the morning of June 14, 1979, his 33rd birthday. Zahir was on the Salang pass Highway when reportedly he was involved in a so called automobile accident that caused his death but soon after Ahmad Zahir's body was brought back to Kabul some of his closest friends said that Ahmad Zahir was accompanied with a man and a women when he left Kabul to head to the North of afghanistan for picnic but this friend seems to be a fraud and worked for Pakistani intelligence and was payed to kill ahamad zahir to give the newly communist regime a bad name.also who was with Ahmad that sad day and is to be believed to been involved in Ahmad Zahir's murder by being payed off by Army Officer Taroon who was assigned to (Get rid of Ahmad Zahir), in order to give the newly formed communist regime a bad name. Others say that Hafizullah Amin killed him, because his daughter was in love with him, and Ahmad Zahir was someone who never stayed with one girl.
Foul play and conspiracy
To this day, there is no solid agreement as to what exactly caused Ahmad Zahir's death. While some theorize the windy roads of Salang as the main cause, others cite alcohol as the culprit. However, a growing body of evidence accumulated suggest possibly foul play on behalf of the antagonized political figures or possibly in-laws involvements. Some doctors, who later re-examined Ahmad Zahir’s body after autopsy, concluded he was also shot in the head. As to when he was shot, before or after the accident, could not be determined.
Theories have emerged as to possible suspects in Ahmad Zahir’s murder, if classified as such. They are 1) Taraki-Amin regime henchmen whom he had condemned in his songs, 2) the powerful family of his second wife who were unhappy with his liberal lifestyle.
Legacy
Ahmad Zahir’s fame has not been compared to any previous singer in Afghanistan’s history, earning him as Afghanistan’s Nightingale title. His status has been unrivaled even 27 years after his death (as of 2006). Posthumously granted the status of a luminary, the renditions of his songs serve to this day as voice and music training lessons for the aspiring singers. As a matter of fact, in performances of other popular Afghanistani singers, there is always a request for an Ahmad Zahir song. Often others’ voice command is evaluated based on Ahmad Zahir’s standards, a reference point to whom the new singers are measured. He is still celebrated as the most popular Afghanistani music phenomenon and, for many, the purest embodiment of modern Afghan music.
With over 22 albums (not including the improvised recordings) in less than 15 years, he has more songs to his credit than any other Afghanistani singer. His albums are still outselling all other Afghanistani singers both inside and outside Afghanistan. He is widely popular in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikestan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Turkey.
Personal life
Ahmad Zahir married twice . He and his first wife divorced in 1973, at the zenith of his career. Little is known about the reason of this split but it is widely speculated his celebrity status was consuming their marriage. Ahmad Zahir remarried in 1977 and he left behind two children, a son (first marriage) and a daughter from his second marriage) both of whom live in the United States.
Trivia
He sampled a number of Italian tunes, a few are from composer Nino Rota including a tune from Fellini's film I Vitelloni
The majority of his songs are autobiographical
He was a fan of Sarban whose songs he sampled
He & his first wife Najia were divorced because of Ahmad Zahir's celebrity status was taking a toll on his personal life and certain gossip of him having affairs with different women. He is also an Afghan, NOT AFGHANISTANI-a term that Sitam E Milli Communist Tajik groups have constructed to destroy Afghanistan.
One of Ahmad Zahir's noted albums, and some can argue "the best album" in terms of Western musical arrangement, was Ahmad Zahir with The Stars in 1977; it took 16 late nights of recording at the Music Center studios in Kabul (source Azam Parvanata, lead guitarist of The Stars)
His son was born in Seattle, Washington while he and his wife Najia were on vacation
He highly respected John Lennon
However, he was the only one who could sing by a talent and centuries will pass, but no one will come as he came to the music world.
Disography and other Info
He has 14 albums under The Afghan Music label, 2 albums under Ariana Music, 5 albums under Music Center, and more then 10 privately recorded studio albums through 1965 - 1979.
Afghan Music #1 (Dilak- am) - 1967
Afghan Music #2- (Bahar) - 1967
Afghan Music #3- (Shab ha ye zulmane) - 1968
Afghan Music #4-(Mother)- 1969
Afghan Music #5- (Awara) 1969
Afghan Music #6- (Ghulam-e Qamar) - 1970
Afghan Music #7- (Sultan Qalbaam) - 1970
Afghan Music #8- (Az Ghamat Hy Nazaneen) - 1971
Afghan Music #9- (Gulbadaan) - 1971
Afghan Music #10- (Yaare Bewafa) - 1971
Afghan Music #11- (Lylee) - 1971
Afghan Music #12- (Ahmad Zahir And Jila) - 1972
Afghan Music #13- (Ahange Zindagee) - 1972
Afghan Music #14- (Shab-e Hijraan) - 1973
Note: that most of his Afghan music albums have other songs that should go with the original albums but because of the time and space on audio cassettes a lot of his songs are moved from the original recordings. If people have the original vinyl records then they have all of the songs that should be placed on the albums.
NOTE: The dates on these albums are questionable. For example, his last album "Afghan Music #14" was released three months after his death in August 1979. Yet according to the above dates, album "Afghan Music # 14" is released in 1973! The dates need to be to updated with accurate dates.
Ariana Music #1- (Daard-e Dil) - 1973
Ariana Music #2- (Mosum-e Gul) - 1974
Note: For people who have the original Ariana records for Ahmad Zahir there are many hidden tracks in the original albums.
Music Center #1 (Neshe Gashdum) - 1974
Music Center #2 (Ashiq rooyat Mon) - 1975
Music Center #3 (Lylee Jaan) - 1976
Music Center #4 (Ahmad Zahir Ba Sitara Haa) - 1977
Music center #5 (To Baamanee) - 1978 (completed in 1978 but released in 1979 after his death)
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
It is said that he has several music videos and a concert recorded on video in Iran.
It is rumored that Ahmad Zahir has a concert and majliss that Radio Kabul had recorded but the Khalq regime destroyed the recordings.
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