Naghma
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| نغمه Naghma |
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 From a VCD cover published in Kabul
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Shaperai | |
| Born | January 1, 1964 (age 43) | |
| Origin | Qandahar, Afghanistan | |
| Genre(s) | Folklore, Pop | |
| Years active | 1986–present | |
| Label(s) | Afghan Vision, Ariana Records | |
| Website | [1]
Height = 5' 10" Weight = 145 Lbs Hair = Black Eyes = Brown |
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Naghma (Persian:نغمه, born Jan 1, 1964) is a popular Afghan singer of Qandahari background. She and her husband, Mangal, were a well-known musical duo who dominated Afghan music scene throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Naghma sings in various languages, namely Pashto and Persian, and Urdu. She is also popular outside her native Afghanistan.
With her dazzling beauty and raven black hair, she is considered one of the most beautiful female Afghan singers and arguably the most elegant Afghan woman. She is also noted for her cultivated, mature personality that has contributed to her popularity as well. Her height is measured to be 5'10".
She continues her music career in exile from California, USA, occasionally going back to Afghanistan for performances.
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[edit] Early Years
Naghma was born to a Pashtoon family as Shaperai in Qandahar province of Afghanistan. As a young girl, she developed an interest in music. Her early songs were based on Qandahari songs, most of which were folklore in nature but were essential in training the novice. After a move to Kabul, Naghma held various jobs all the while pursuing her passion. Of course coming from a traditional family, she met with much domestic resistance who saw singing as a demeaning career for an Afghan woman. However, Naghma was not discouraged.
The turning point for the Qandahari girl came when she married Mangal, another musician-turned-singer from the Laghman province of Afghanistan. This pairing not only gave Naghma the support she desired but also supplemented their image as a complete musical set. In 1986, their first album was released that was a springboard that jumpstarted the duo’s professional career. Although not a huge commercial success, it did however establish the pair as well recognized singers. Their perception as perfect match mates contributed to their popularity as well.
[edit] Career
The pivotal point of their career came with the hit single ‘Malek Janah.’ The song was immensely popular and to this day remains the couple’s most memorable. Soon after this song came ‘Mazdigar di Kana dai,’ another popular song that livened the radio stations of not only Afghanistan but Pakistan and some African countries as well. A number of albums followed which gained moderate success and these were followed by a series of concerts where both was well received.
[edit] Emigration and Immigration
With impending civil war, the couple left Afghanistan for Pakistan in 1992. There the couple became very successful to an enthusiastic crowd of Afghan diaspora who were nostalgic of their earlier music. Their financial situation by this time had improved many fold. In the late 90’s they left Pakistan to immigrate to the United States.
After establishing contact with the Afghan community of Northern California, the doublet began a series of performances. However, Naghma and Mangal have since divorced, citing Mangal's continual alcohol abuse, and the couple has been sensitive about elaborating further on the issue. Their divorce has also cast a doubt as to whether this former pair can reconcile at least on the professional level. While Mangal performs solo in private events and television programs, Naghma is continuing her career as a professional artist.
[edit] Recent Developments
In 2006, Naghma’s new single ‘Mohabbat’ was released. This was the first time she had sang a pop song. It is a favorite club remix and the accompanying video is also Kabul TV station’s and AfghanMTV's most equested video. The song is one of the highest ranking Afghan songs in the world. Also in that year, Naghma returned to Afghanistan to give a round of concerts in various cities with Naim Popal, another popular Afghan singer. Her concert held in Kabul was so festive that the crowd showered the singer with rose petals...
[edit] Trivia
- She is also been known to be very patriotic and has dedicated many songs to Afghanistan.
- She currently resides in Union City, California with her two daughters and two sons.
[edit] References
- Afghanistan Online. Muted Musicians See Hope in Young Performers. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Boston Globe. The Tale of the Pashtun Poetess. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Delusions of Adequacy Reviews. Review of Anthology of World Music: The Music of Afghanistan. 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
- Mikalina. Afghan Music Before the War. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Baily, John(1988). Music of Afghanistan: Professional Musicians in the City of Herat. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-25000-5
- www.youtube.com Interview with Naghma.
