Ahmad Wali

Ahmad Wali (Pashto/Persian: احمد ولی) is a popular Ghazal singer from Afghanistan. He began his career in the 1970s, becoming popular in his native country before he was forced to flee by political upheaval in Afghanistan. He continued his work after resettling in Germany, performing throughout Europe and the United States.

Background

The son of a Police Commander, Wali was born in Kabul.^[1] He began exploring music as a Tabla player at the age of 12, gradually expanding into singing. While a student at Habibia High School, he recorded a demo tape. This came to the attention of Radio Kabul director Ustad Zaland, who wrote the song "Chashman -e -Abee" for Wali. This and the Wali-penned tune "Mah-ruye-tu" brought him to the public eye. Wali performed live in Afghanistan until after his high school graduation, when he joined an international performance in Iran.

Career

At that early stage in his career, Wali had not yet committed to life as a professional musician, and he enrolled in the Kabul Police Academy.^[1] He continued performing, however, and soon committed to music, being taken as a student by classical musician Ustad Sarahang. He developed a following in Afghanistan, with frequent appearances on television and radio as well as live performances.

After the Saur Revolution of 1978, life in Afghanistan became difficult, and in 1980, shortly after the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, Wali—then a well-known musician in his homeland—fled the country with a forged passport.^[1][2] Wali's forged passport got him as far as India, where he obtained a Visa to Germany by faking an illness.^[2]

In Germany, Wali continued his career, performing there and throughout Europe and the United States.^[1]

References