Ahmad Zahir
Ahmad Zahir |
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Ahmad Zahir (Persian: احمد ظاهر) (June 14, 1946 - June 14, 1979), was an Afghan singer, songwriter and composer. A star of enduring popularity-even a quarter century after his death-his songs are the starting grounds of aspiring Afghan singers. Granted the status of a luminary posthumously, he is considered an icon of Afghanistan's music industry.
Birth
Ahmad Zahir was born on the 23rd of Jauza, 1325 (June 13, 1946) in the province of Laghman. He was the son of Abdul Zahir, a royal court doctor and a one-time prime minister. Ahmad became a very influential person in Afghan music. He is the most famous Afghan Singer. Even 26 years after his death, his songs still surround the Afghan music scene. His involvement with the musical arts began at a very young age. In the early 1960s at Habibia High School in Kabul, he was part of the amateur musical band where he began performing and giving concerts.
Career
The 1960s was an ideal time for this new form of music dubbed "amaturi" (amateur) or non-professional because the musicians and performers were not from traditional families that made their living on music.
By the late 1960s, Ahmad Zahir began to fully contribute to his new musical movement. Blessed with an extraordinary tenor voice and acute musical instincts, Zahir directed Afghan music to new heights. He also had the opportunity to work with the best individuals in the Kabul music scene such as the late saxophonist Ustad Ismail Azami, trumpeter Ustad Nangalai and composers Naynawaz, Taranasaz, and Mas'hour Jamal.
With a strong passion and determination, Ahmad Zahir recorded 22 albums. Along with singing some of the best compositions of love songs, ghazals and free verse poems, he also selected to sing poems that had compelling meaning and depth that rendered social political themes; these songs include Zendagi Akher Sarayad (Life Comes to an End), Ma'ra az en Qafas Azad Konad (Free Me From This Cage) and many others.
What made Ahmad Zahir spectacular were not just his songs but also how unpretentious he was from his childhood to his days of celebrity fame. He was the most celebrated popular Afghan music phenomenon of his era and, for many, the purest embodiment of modern Afghan music. Ahmad Zahir's life and career have become part of music legend for many Afghans.
Ahmad zahir is the most famous singer of all time in Dari language
Fame and Legacy
By 1973 (1352), Ahmad Zahir's popularity had developed into a national frenzy. In 1973, at the zenith of his career, he and his wife separated. This was during the time when he held more concerts and toured major cities in Afghanistan. The love of the audience for him and his music was growing increasingly." He had become an icon and his popularity spilled over national boundaries. He sang "Banu Banu" while on tour in Iran. During this time, Ahmad Zahir earned the national title, "Singer of the Year." In his acceptance speech, he advised future musicians that "Ghorur shikast hunari bar mewarad…riqabati hunari bayad sahlim bashad nah hasahdat amiz. (vanity brings failure to artistry, competition in Arts and artisty needs to be positive, not filled with envy."
In spite of his free-spirited posturing, Ahmad Zahir remained studiously polite to his elders and was devoted to his mother. In fact, his mother's death came at a stressful time in his life. It moved him so much that he wrote one of his most passionate songs for her: "Binazam qalbi pak az madar-e- man siya shood, khuda-ya madaram az man juda shood." Ahmad Zahir himself created an aesthetic vocabulary for dealing with joy, love, pain, and loneliness through his music that is unparalleled by modern musicians
Although Ahmad Zahir had not followed in his father's footsteps at becoming a statesman, he did retain most of his late father's political nature and intelligence. Instead of expressing himself from behind the lectern, he made his people's beliefs known by carefully researching, selecting and performing suitable poems as songs in the recording studio and private gatherings. Like early 20th century Afghan musicians, Ahmad Zahir had matured into a brilliant musician, but more importantly he had become a national figure of acclaim.
Ahmad Zahir's song "Zindagi akhir sarayad" was a poem concerning man's relationship to God. However, the fact that he chose to sing these radical lyrics "zindagi akhir sarayad, bandagi dar car-o nist, bandagi gar shart-o bashad, zindagi dar car-o nist," displays the views of a revolutionary artist. The lyrics convey to us that we should act on our plans right now for tomorrow is too late. Ahmad Zahir liked progress and when the country became a republic in 1973, he congratulated the new government by singing two songs "Da Jamhoriat" and "Mubarak Jamhori Mubarak". Accordingly, when he noticed that the republic was full of empty promises he again raised his voice. His song "Ilahi man namedanam, bah ilmi khood tu medani," which was recorded and played on the radio became a controversial song in the mid-70's. According to insiders, the song's verse "Tu padshah-e haft kishwar" drew some criticism from the government. The Administration assumed Ahmad Zahir had denounced President Daoud Khan who was also Minister of numerous Cabinet positions. Soon radios stopped playing the song because of political pressure levied by the government. However, that did not bother the free-spirited Ahmad Zahir.
Struggle and Death of a Hero
When April 1978 the republic was replaced by dictatorship led by President Taraki and eventually by Hafizullah Amin. In this reign of fear and terror, Ahmad Zahir built up courage in his listeners. In one of the private recordings of Ahmad Zahir, he voiced political protest against the Taraki-Amin regime in at least three songs. One song "Safar bih roshenahi" contains straightforward demonstrative lyrics: "Chi mulk ra baad az shahi deda bashi, pas az shahi gadahi maslihat nist, safar bih roshenahi maslihat nist." Moreover, then he refers to Traci as Tahriki (darkness) during his song. In another song, he points out to the gathering lyrics that describe dictatorship, "Fikri khood-o raahi khood, dar alam rindi-ney, tu past-o dari beh mashab, khood-binih o khood rahi, aye baad shaahi khuban."
In the last song "Bigzarad bigzarad umre man bigzarad," he mocks Taraki. Ahmad Zahir even mentions that they could get imprisoned for this defiant act. He was a very patriot Afghan as was reflected in his song "Aye hum watan, aye Nehru-e balinda-e jawed, khoosh bash keh baz akhtar -e amwali tu tahbi, aye ranj-o bahr aye car-e tu sazinda-e dowran, dowran ze tu-o qudrat-e jawaid-it tu bahli". Maybe it was written in the stars for him not to be around when the Red Army invaded in December 1979. One can only imagine how much sorrow he would have felt at the current situation in Afghanistan and its scattered people. He took ethics, his people's wishes and societal benefits into consideration when writing or selecting poems to be performed.
Unfortunately for his family, friends, and his country, this hero was taken from the ones he loved so much through an alleged traffic accident north of the Salang Kotal on Wednesday, Jauza 23, 1358 (June 13, 1979). Many people including his son are convinced that the traffic accident story was a cover up for an assassination by the Taraki-Amin regime. Ahmad Zahir (33 years old) was killed on the same day as he was born into this world. The night before his death, he was awaiting the birth of his second child. Ahmad Zahir had said that he would name the child, Shabnam. Rishad Zahir laments that, "His life was cut short while another precious life, Shabnam's was coming into his life. He was happy and looking forward to his new life with his new wife and new child."
It is said that, “With the legacy left behind, Ahmad Zahir influenced whole generations of makers and lovers of music, which still continues. His humanity, talent, radiance, voice and spirit will always remain in his people's hearts proving that the spirit of culture can never be killed--it lives forever.”
Family
Ahmad Zahir left behind two children, Rishad (29 years old) and Shabnam (20 years old). Rishad Zahir was born in Seattle, Washington while his parents were on vacation. He and his family left Afghanistan in 1979 and after a brief stay in Germany, they immigrated to the United States. Shabnam and her family like her stepbrother, immigrated to the United States in the early 1980's. She currently attends university.
Controversy of Personal Life
Death of second wife
Many believe that his wife was killed because of their unhappy marriage. She opposed his excessive use of alcohol and liberal communication with other women.
His Death
Although it was believed at first that he died in a car accident; later, some doctors revealed that he was also shot in the head. As to when he was shot, before or after the accident, is unknown.
His murderer?
1.The family of his second wife held political power during his death was believed to have killed him.
2.The communist government whom he opposed by speech and via his music
His amazing voice will remain in our hearts.
External links
- Ahmad Zahir official site
- [http://www.ahmadzahirfan.com/ Ahmad Zahir Fanclub
3. اه شاید آشقانم نیمه شب گل بروی گور غمناکم نهند by one of best fan Ahmad Faheem Hunarwar