Since the 1980s, Afghanistan has been involved in near constant violence. As such, music has been suppressed and recording for outsiders minimal, despite a rich musical heritage. The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ...

Minstrels in Herat, 1973

During the 1990s, the post-Soviet and Taliban governments banned instrumental music and much public music-making.^[1] In spite of arrests and destruction of musical instruments, musicians have continued to ply their trade into the present. 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.^[2] Lyrics throughout most of Afghanistan are typically in Persian and Pashto. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 458 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1343 × 1756 pixel, file size: 155 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this photo myself in 1973. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 458 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1343 × 1756 pixel, file size: 155 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this photo myself in 1973. ... Herāt (Persian: ‎ ) is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... The Taliban (Pashto: , also anglicized as Taleban) are a Sunni Muslim and ethnic Pashtun movement [2] that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, when their leaders were removed from power by a cooperative military effort between the Northern Alliance, United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... For other places with the same name, see Kabul (disambiguation). ... Herāt (Persian: ‎ ) is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt. ... Figurines playing stringed instruments, excavated at Susa, 3rd millennium BC. Iran National Museum. ... Farsi redirects here. ... Pashto (‎, IPA: also known as Pakhto, Pushto, Pukhto ‎, Pashtoe, Pashtu, Pushtu or Pushtoo) is a language spoken by Pashtuns living in Afghanistan and western Pakistan. ...

Pop Music

Ahmad Zahir one of the most famous Afghan singers

In 1925, Afghanistan began radio broadcasting, but its station was destroyed in 1929. Broadcasting did not resume until Radio Kabul opened in 1940.^[3] Image File history File links Ahmadzahiralbumcover70s. ... Image File history File links Ahmadzahiralbumcover70s. ... Ahmad Zahir (Persian: ) (June 14, 1946 - June 14, 1979), was an Afghan singer, of Pashtun and Tajik descent (not Pashai as assumed by ethnocentric Sitam-E-Milli communists. ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Radio broadcasting can be done via cable FM, local wire networks, satellite and the Internet. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Radio Kabul is the official radio station of Afghanistan. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

As Radio Afghanistan reached the entire country, popular music grew more important. In 1951, Parwin became the first Afghan woman to sing live in Radio. Farida Mahwash, one of the famous female singers who then gained the title of Ustad (Master), had a major hit with "O bacheh" in 1977; she was "perhaps the most notable" of pop singers.^[4] Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Parwin (Persian:پروین) was an Afghan singer. ... Mahwash (born Farida Mahwash, Persian: ‎ ) commonly referred to as Ustad Mahwash (Persian: استاد مهوش) is a popular Afghan singer. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ...

Modern popular music did not arise until the 1950s when radio became commonplace in the country. They used orchestras featuring both Afghan and Indian instruments, as well as European clarinets, guitars and violins. 1970's were the golden age of Afghanistan's Music Industry. Popular music also included Indian and Pakistani cinema film and music imported from Iran, Tajikistan and elsewhere.^[5] For the music genre, see Pop music. ... The 1950s decade refers to the years 1950 to 1959 inclusive. ... Two soprano clarinets: a Bâ™­ clarinet (left, with capped mouthpiece) and an A clarinet (right, with no mouthpiece). ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... For the Anne Rice novel, see Violin (novel). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

There is also a thriving Afghan music industry in neighbooring Pakistan primarily located in the cities of Peshawer, Karachi and the capital Islamabad. Much of the Afghan music industry was preserved via circulation in Pakistan and the holding of concerts for Afghan performers there which helped to keep the industry alive. Afghan performers regularly perform on Pakistani television programs and hold concerts throughout the country for the estimated 3-4 million Afghans that still live there.   (Sindhi: , Urdu: ) is the largest city in Pakistan and is the provincial capital of Sindh province. ... For other places called Islamabad, see Islamabad (disambiguation). ...

Since the 2001 US intervention in Afghanistan and the removal of the Taliban, the music scene has begun to re-emerge. Some groups, like the Kaboul Ensemble, have gained an international reputation.^[1] In addition, traditional Pashtun music (especially in the southeast of the country) has entered a period of "golden years", according to a prominent spokesman for Afghan Ministry of Interior, Lutfullah Mashal.^[6] For other uses of War in Afghanistan, see War in Afghanistan (disambiguation). ... The Taliban (Pashto: , also anglicized as Taleban) are a Sunni Muslim and ethnic Pashtun movement [2] that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, when their leaders were removed from power by a cooperative military effort between the Northern Alliance, United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. ... Pashtun culture is varied and is heavily influenced by that of Central Asia and other Afghan peoples. ... The Interior Minister is a member of a Cabinet in a Government. ...

History of Pop Music In Afghanistan

Pop Music emerged in Afghanistan during the 1950s, and got much pupular till late 1970s. What helped the emergence of pop music in Afghanistan were amateur singers called who were from non traditional music backgrounds but wanted to showcase their talents in the studio (Radio Kabul). These singers were from middle to upper class families and were far more educated than singers from traditional music backgrounds. Look up amateur in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

These amateurs innovated in the Afghan music and created a more modern style approach to the traditional folklore and classical music of Afghans. Amateur singers such as Sarban, Ustad Madadi, Ahmad Zahir, Ahmad Wali, Zahir Howaida, Rahim Mehryar, Mahwash, Haidar Salim, Salma Jahani, Hangama, Parasto, Naghma, Mangal ,Kamal Nasir Dost, Farhad Darya and others. Ahmad Zahir was the most famous of all, who gained popularity more than any other singer. Through out the 60's and 70's he gained national and international recognition in countries like Iran and Tajikistan. Category: ... Ahmad Zahir (Persian: ) (June 14, 1946 - June 14, 1979), was an Afghan singer, of Pashtun and Tajik descent (not Pashai as assumed by ethnocentric Sitam-E-Milli communists. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Zahir Howaida (Persian: ظاهرهویدا) (also spelled as Zahir Huwaida) is a veteran singer from Afghanistan. ... Rahim Mehryar (Persian: رحيم مهریار) is an Afghan singer. ... Mahwash (born Farida Mahwash, Persian: ‎ ) commonly referred to as Ustad Mahwash (Persian: استاد مهوش) is a popular Afghan singer. ... Haider Salim (Persian: حيدر سليم ) is an Afghan singer. ... Salma Jahani (Persian:سلما جهانی) is an Afghan singer. ... Hangama (Persian: هنگامه) is a popular Afghan singer. ... Parasto (Persian: پرستو) is an Afghan singer. ... During one of her performances Naghma (born Jan 1, 1964) is a popular Afghan-American singer. ... Above and below water view at the edge of the mangal Mangroves are woody trees or shrubs that grow in mangrove habitats or mangal (Hogarth, 1999). ... Farhad Darya Nasher (Template:DariB, Farhād Daryā), born on September 22, 1962 in Gozargaah, Kabul Province, is a singer and composer from Afghanistan. ...

Classical music

Main article: Klasik

The classical musical form of Afghanistan is called klasik, which includes both instrumental and vocal ragas, as well as Tarana and Ghazals.^[7] Many Ustads, or professional musicians, have learned North Indian Classical Music in India, and some of them were Indian descendants who moved from India to the royal court in Kabul in the 1860s.^[5] They maintain cultural and personal ties with India -- through discipleship or inter-marriage -- and they use the Hindustani musical theories and terminology, for example raga (melodic form) and tala (rhythmic cycle). The classical music of Afghanistan is called klasik, which includes both instrumental (ragas, naghmehs) and vocal forms (ghazals) . Many ustad, or professional musicians, are descended from Indian artists who emigrated to the royal court in Kabul in the 1860s upon the invitation of Amir Sher Ali Khan . ... The classical music of Afghanistan is called klasik, which includes both instrumental (ragas, naghmehs) and vocal forms (ghazals) . Many ustad, or professional musicians, are descended from Indian artists who emigrated to the royal court in Kabul in the 1860s upon the invitation of Amir Sher Ali Khan . ... Raga (राग) (rāg /राग (Hindi), raga (Anglicised from rāgaḥ/रागः (Sanskrit)) or rāgam /ராகம் (Tamil)) are the very detailed melodic modes used in Indian classical music. ... Tarana is a type of composition in Hindustani classical vocal music in which certain syllables are used in a medium-paced (madhyalay) or fast (drut lay) rendition. ... This article is about the poetic form. ... Hindustani Classical Music is an Indian classical music tradition that took shape in northern India in the 13th and 14th centuries AD from existing religious, folk, and theatrical performance practices. ... For other places with the same name, see Kabul (disambiguation). ... // The First Transcontinental Railroad in the USA was built in the six year period between 1863 and 1869. ...

Naghma and her husband, Mangal, with Harmonium.

Musicians in Herat with tourist, 1973

Afghan ragas, in contrast to Indian ones, tend to be more focused on rhythm, and are usually played with the tabla, or the local zerbaghali, dayra or dohol, all percussive instruments.^[7] Other Afghan classical instruments include the dutar, sorna, sitar, dilruba, tambur, ghichak, and Rubab. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... During one of her performances Naghma (born Jan 1, 1964) is a popular Afghan-American singer. ... A Harmonium is a free-standing musical keyboard instrument similar to a Reed Organ or Pipe Organ. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 557 pixelsFull resolution (1896 × 1320 pixel, file size: 199 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this photo myself in 1973. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 557 pixelsFull resolution (1896 × 1320 pixel, file size: 199 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I took this photo myself in 1973. ... Herāt (Persian: ‎ ) is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt. ... A typical set of Tabla. ... A traditional Central Asian musician from the 1860s or 1870s, holding up his dayereh. ... Percussion redirects here. ... Dotar Khorasan The dutar (also dotar or doutar) is a traditional long-necked two-stringed lute found in Central Asia. ... Sorna (Persian سورنا, سُرنا sornā, also سورنای, سُرنای sornāy, also Surna and Surnay) is an ancient Iranian woodwind instrument. ... Diagram of some sitar parts. ... The esraj (also called israj or dilruba) is a string instrument found in two forms throughout the north, central, and east regions of India. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... The rubab (also spelled rubāb) is a plucked string instrument from Afghanistan and Pakistan. ...

The most famous Afghan Classical singer is Ustad Mohammad Hussain Sarahang, who is one of the Master singers in North Indian Classcial Music and is also well-known in all over India and Pakistan. Other classical singers are Ustad Qasim, Ustad Rahim Bakhsh, Ustad Nato and others like Yousof jan. Ustad Mohammad Hussain Sarahang (1924–1983) is a renowned Afghan musician famous in all over India, Pakistan and Iran. ... Rahim Bakhsh (Persian: رحيم بخش) commonly known as Ustad Rahim Bakhsh (Persian: استاد رحيم بخش) was an ustad (maestro) of Hindustani classical music originating from northern India as well as Afghan folkloric music popular in Afghanistan and a few neighboring countries. ...

Rubab

Main article: Rubab

The rubab is a common lute-like instrument in Afghanistan, and is the forerunner of the Indian sarod.^[2] The rubab is sometimes considered the national instrument of Afghanistan, and is called the "lion" of instruments;^[8] one reviewer claims it sounds like "a Middle Eastern predecessor to the blues that popped up in the Piedmont 100 years ago".^[9] The rubab has a double-chambered body carved from mulberry wood and has three main strings and a plectrum made from ivory, bone or wood. The rubab (also spelled rubāb) is a plucked string instrument from Afghanistan and Pakistan. ... The rubab (also spelled rubāb) is a plucked string instrument from Afghanistan and Pakistan. ... A medieval era lute. ... The sarod or sarode (Hindi:सरोद, Bengali: সরোদ) is a string musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music. ... Blues music redirects here. ... Piedmont is a region of northwestern Italy. ... For other uses, see Mulberry (disambiguation). ... Various guitar picks A plectrum is a small flat tool used to pluck or strum a stringed instrument. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Famous players of the rubab are Ustad Mohammad Omar and Aziz Herawi, while modern performers include Essa Kassemi, Homayun Sakhi, and Mohammed Rahim Khushnawaz.^[2] Aziz Herawi (b. ...

Hip-Hop

Afghan Hip-Hop is a popular type of music in Afghanistan with youngsters and in the immigrant community.^[10] It inherits much of the style of traditional Hip-Hop, but puts added emphasis on rare cultural sounds. Afghan Hip-Hop is mostly sung in Dari(Persian), Pushto, and English. A popular Hip-Hop artist is DJ Besho (Bezhan Zafarmal) stationed in Kabul.^[11][12]

The Upcoming New Hip Hop group are called by the name of Da Jokerz, bringing a fresh breeze in the afghan music industry. Visit their website for more information: http://www.dajokerz.com

Religious music

Main article: Muslim music

The Afghan concept of music is closely associated with musical instruments, and thus the unaccompanied religious music is not considered music. Koran recitation is an important kind of unaccompanied religious performance, as is the ecstatic Zikr ritual of the Sufis which uses songs called na't, and the Shi'a solo and group singing styles like mursia, manqasat, nowheh and rowzeh. The Chishti Sufi sect of Kabul is an exception in that they use instruments like the rubab, tabla and armonia in their worship; this music is called gaza-yeh ruh (food for the soul).^[5] Islamic music is Muslim religious music, as sung or played in public services or private devotions. ... Arabic. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... Shia Islam ( Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite or Shiite) is the second largest Islamic denomination; some 20-25% of all Muslims are said to follow a Shia tradition. ...

See also

• List of Pashto Language Singers
• Persian pop music

This is a list of Pashto language Singers. ... Persian classical and pop singer Mahasti was a veteran celebrity of Iran’s Golden Years of music. ...

References

• Muted Musicians See Hope in Young Performers. Afghanistan Online. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
• Afganistan. Almaty or Bust. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
• The Tale of the Pashtun Poetess. Boston Globe. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
• Review of Anthology of World Music: The Music of Afghanistan. Delusions of Adequacy Reviews. Retrieved on January 28, 2006.
• Doubleday, Veronica. "Red Light at the Crossroads". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 2: Latin & North America, Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific, pp 3-8. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
• Afghan Music Before the War. Mikalina. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.

Notes

For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Reuters Group plc (LSE: RTR and NASDAQ: RTRSY); pronounced is known as a financial market data provider and a news service that provides reports from around the world to newspapers and broadcasters. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading

• Baily, John and John Blacking (1988). Music of Afghanistan: Professional Musicians in the City of Herat. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-25000-5. 
• Sakata, Hiromi Lorraine (1983). Music in the Mind: The Concepts of Music and Musician in Afghanistan. Kent State University Press. ISBN 0-87338-265-X. 
• Slobin, Mark (1976). Music in the Culture of Northern Afghanistan. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 0-8165-0498-9. 

External links

• Music of Afghanistan
• Afghan Music Songs MP3 Videos Album Artists
• Large Collection of Afghan Music and Artists
• Watch Afghan Music Videos Online
• Afghan Hip Hop and Rap Music
• Afghanistan Online Radio (AFG Radio) homepage
• Music in the Afghan North 1967-1972
• Afghanistan Cultural Profile - national cultural portal for Afghanistan in English