Afghan Folklore Concert in Dallas [photo by F. Azad] (left-right) Zahir (robabnawaz), Salaam Logari, Gol Muhammad Istalifi, Aziz (doulnawaz) By Farhad Azad April-Sept. 1999 Lemar-Aftaab Afghan folk music is the essence and spirit of the people and their culture. Listening to Afghan folk music is enjoyable, but listening to it live is a distinct and unforgettable experience. On May 8, 1999, the Afghan community of Dallas, Texas was blessed to have a talented Afghan folklore band perform live. The concert lasted over five hours, with the band taking very few breaks, a rare feat compared to most concerts held by Afghan performers in the US. Without a doubt, the audience enjoyed the performance and sang along to the traditional dou-bayeeti (poetic couplets). Many of the poems and lyrics which were sung of various distinct places in Afghanistan had been altered. The new lyrics consisted of images of the present war and the description of the ruins of cities, towns, villages and sites of past beauty. It brought tears to the eyes of many older audience members revealing a vivid sign of the concealed and secret pains and feelings that many Afghans feel but do not normally express in public. Despite the fact that the musicians wanted to continue to perform, the event ended near 2 AM. A traditional Attan dance closed off the evening, but the lyrics and rhythms of the musicians, and the songs of distant Afghanistan rang into the early hours of the morning. The event was attended by 200 people and was sponsored by the Afghan arts organization AVESTA Institute of Fine Arts. The concert featured the talented vocalist Aziz Ghaznawi, vocalist and tambour player Gol Mohammed Istalifi, vocalist and harmouna player Salaam Logari, doul player Aziz and robab player Zahir. The band, traveling from Kabul and Peshawar, was on a Spring tour through the USA: New York City on April 10th, San Diego on April 16th, Los Angles on April 17th, Union City in San Francisco Bay Area on April 23rd, Seattle on May 1st, Dallas on May 8th and Alexandria, VA on May 14th and 15th. Here is the song Gol Rokh sang by Gol Muhammad Istalifi from the CD AFGHAN COUNTRY SONGS. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Related Link: Ancient Musical Instruments of Afghanistan By Nabi Kohzad Translated & edited by Farhad Azad Copyright © 1999 Aftaabzad Publications. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form without permission.