By Farhad Azad
Ahmad Zahir
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Ahmad Zahir-- what comes to mind when you hear that name? Is it the
virile and soothing voice that plays into our ears? Or the lovely and
graceful melodies that come to mind? Or is it the beautiful poems that he
brings to life?
I first heard Ahmad Zahir's voice when I was a little boy playing with my
cousins in my grandfather's garden in Kabul. My uncle was playing Ahmad
Zahir's song Liele Liele jaan on the second floor balcony. From that
day on, I fell in love with his voice and his music.
There is much to say about Ahmad Zahir. His music lives on throughout the
world. You find him in every Afghan home. His songs are revived and resung
in every concert you might have attended. His soul is forever with us no
matter where we go. No other Afghan singer is more idolized, adored, and
cherished than Ahmad Zahir. His songs move you, and the lyrics are full of
poetry that touch your heart.
Ahmad Zahir's life was short; he only lived to the age of 33. He was
murdered on his birthday on a clear Spring day.
The irony is that once he sang, roz-e marg-e man faraa khaahad
rassed, dar bahaar-e rowshan ('the day of my death might come in the clear
Spring'), and so it came
on such a day. Here are three of my favorite ones. I hope that you enjoy them, and let Ahmad Zahir with his aawaz-e zareen (golden voice) sing the ahang-ha-e zendagi (song of life) for you.
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(Songs are currently unavailable)
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