Ahmad Zahir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| احمد ظاهر Ahmad Zahir |
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Ahmad Zahir | |
| Born | June 14, 1946 Laghman, Afghanistan |
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| Died | June 14, 1979 Kabul, Afghanistan |
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| Genre(s) | Soft Rock Pop Classical Music |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer songwriter composer |
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| Instrument(s) | Harmonium & Accordion | |
| Years active | 1960s–1979 | |
| Label(s) | Various | |
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 Afghanistan's music industry.
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[edit] Early Years
Ahmad was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 23, 1325 of the Afghan Calendar) in the province of Laghman, Afghanistan. Born to a royal court doctor who was also a one-time prime minister, his father-Abdul Zahir-was an influential figure in the Shah era. Due to his nobility of birth, Ahmad’s profession as a singer later became a point of contention between the singer and his elitist father.
The singer’s interest in music developed early on 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.
[edit] Career
[edit] 1960s
Rising from the acclaim of the band, Ahmad Zahir branched onto his solo career by the late 60s. 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 TV, radio and newspapers across Afghanistan as jubilant fans fought for the remaining copies of the best seller.
[edit] 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 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Death
Ahmad Zaher's life came to an end on his birthday on the morning of June 14, 1979. Ahmad Zaher was kiled by his best freind and afghan communist party and they knew about it before his death , because they had a plan to kill Afghanistans best singer Ahmad Zaher for a long time and finally they killed him and an anouncement by Afghan TV and Radio : "Ahmad Zaher was killed by a car accident in northern Afghanistan Salang Hill." Unfortunately Afghanistan people are still confused about his death , but we all know Ahmad Zaher's case was made by Taloon and he killed him.
[edit] Foul Play and Conspiracy
To this day, there isn’t a 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, couldn’t be determined.
Theories have emerged as to possible suspects in Ahmad Zahir’s murder, if it was classified as such. They are 1) Taraki-Amin regime henchmen whom he had condemned in his songs, 2) Afghan Communist Party’s politicians whom he had denounced in his speech, and 3) the powerful family of his second wife who were unhappy with his liberal lifestyle.
[edit] 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 Afghan 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 Afghan 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 Afghan singer. His albums are still outselling all other Afghan singers both inside and outside Afghanistan. He is widely popular in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikestan, Uzbekistan and Turkey.
[edit] Personal Life
Ahmad Zahir married three times. 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. His second marriage is also said to be rocky for same reason. He left behind two children, a son (first marriage) and a daughter (second marriage), both of whom live in the United States.
[edit] Trivia
- He sampled a number of Italian songs including tunes from Nino Rota
- He was a fan of Sarban whose songs he rendered into his albums.
- He & his first Wife Najia were divorced because she accrued him of having affairs.
[edit] Disography
[edit] References
- Muted Musicians See Hope in Young Performers. Afghanistan Online. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Afganistan. Almaty or Bust. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Review of Anthology of World Music: The Music of Afghanistan. Delusions of Adequacy Reviews. Retrieved on January 28, 2006.
- Afghan Music Before the War. Mikalina. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- 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.
[edit] External links
- Ahmad Zahir official site
- Ahmad Zahir Fanclub
- Listen to Ahmad Zahir Music
- Complete Ahmad Zahir Music Collection at eAfghans Network
