Biography of Ahmad Zaher

Summary of Ahmad Zaher’s Biography

Name: “Ahmad Toryalai” (in Dari/Farsi “حمد توريالی”)
last name: “Zaher” (in Dari/Farsi “ظاهر”)
father name: Abdul “Zahir”
Mother name: Quraisha Rassa
Siblings: two sisters, Zahira and Belquis, and one brother, Asif
Spouse: first wife: Najia (Divorced), second wife: Fakhria (widowed)
Children: Shabnam Zaher (daughter), Rishad Zahir (son)
Date of Birth/ Age: June 14, 1946/ Died on June 14, 1979, at the age of 33y
Place of Birth: Kabul, originally from Laghman province
Height/weight:
Nationality: Afghanistan
Religion/ Sect: Islam/ Suni
Profession/ Educational Qualification/ Occupation: singer, songwriter, composer, and musician
School: Habibia Highschool, Kabul
Colleges/Universities: Daru-l’ Malimeen (Teacher Training College), Kabul, Afghanistan,
Years of Activity: 1970s

PERSONAL LIFE

Ahmad Toryalai Zahir (احمد توريالی ظاهر‎) was an Afghan singer, songwriter, composer, and musician. Ahmad Zahir, was born on June 14 1946 in Kabul but originally belongs to the Laghman province of afghanistan.

Ahmad Zahir was a musical icon in Afghanistan who reached the height of his popularity in the early 1970's. Ahmad Zahir is probably the most famous celebrity of Afghanistan- often referred to as “the Elvis Presley of Afghanistan” not just because of his sideburns, good looks and charisma, both on and off-stage, but also because, like Elvis, he came into a music industry, and left it completely changed forever.

PARENTS AND SIBLINGS

His father name is Dr. Abdul Zahir and his mother name is Quraisha Rassa, he was born in Kabul, on the 24th of Jauza 1325, according to the Jalali calendar, his family was ethnically Pashtun, from the Laghman province east of Kabul. He was one of four siblings, with two sisters, Zahira and Belquis, and one brother, Asif. His mother, was a homemaker, while Zahir’s father held numerous jobs within the government; including the royal court’s official doctor, Ambassador, Minister of Health, a speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister from 1971-1972, and even helped write the 1964 revised constitution of Afghanistan.

MARITAL STATUS/ SPOUSE and Children

During the early part of his career, he married and his son, Rashid, was born, but as his life as a national sensation grew, his marriage could not be maintained. He married a second time and was expecting another child. He married 3 times in his lifetim. And has two children, his daughter name is Shabnam, both of his children are living in the United States. Rishad's mother is Najia and Shanam's mother is Fakhria.

No matter how famous he got, his was a kind and gentle man who loved his mother and was devoted to her. There was a point in his life when he was imprisoned, but for what is unclear. While he was in prison, his mother died. He was allowed to attend the funeral, and shortly after that, he was released and all the charges were dropped.

Zahir was a generous man, and there are legends of his kindness. One such story tells of a time he was on the way to a picnic but gave a beggar he passed all his food. Others saw him as a knight in shining armor, fighting for the people.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND and PROFESSIONAL LIFE/CARRIER

In 1946 Ahmad Zahir was born into the influential world of his father, Dr. Abdul Zahir, who served as Prime Minister of Afghanistan from 1971-1972. Zahir found his love of music when his father brought him a mandolin from one of his many trips. He loved playing the mandolin, and soon mastered the accordion, the harmonium, and the organ. He played and sang for anyone who came to visit.

Zahir attended Habibia High School in Kabul. There, he formed a band mainly consisting of his friends and classmates including Omar Sultan on guitar, Farid Zaland on congas and Akbar Nayab on piano. Zahir played the accordion and sang. The band later became known as the amateur band of Habibia High School and performed in local concerts during celebratory occasions like Nowruz, Eid ul-Fitr, and Afghan Independence Day. Zahir gained considerable popularity in Kabul as a talented singer with a soulful voice. Performing his first song called, 'Ay Bulbuli Shorida,' and after that performance his classmates called him, 'Bulbul-e-Habibia,' which means Nightingale of Hibibia. His baritone chest voice and evocative singing gave him the title of "Bulbul-e- Habibya (The Nightingale of Habibia)." However, due to family pressure, Zahir still could not devote himself to music entirely.

He went on to attend and graduate from Daru' l-Malimeen ("Teachers' College") in Kabul. He then continued his higher education for two more years in India to get a degree as an English instructor. After his return from India, Zahir got a job as a journalist for The Kabul Times, but soon began work on his first musical album. He worked closely with Afghan composers Nainawaz and Taranasaz. His first recorded song, "Gar Kuni Yak Nizara", was his own composition, blending Indian raga with western pop rhythms. He continued writing and recording songs such as "Azeezam Ba Yaadat", "Ahista-ahista", "Akhir Ay Darya", "Hama Yaranam", "Agar Sabza Boodam", "Guftam Ke Mekhwaham Tura", "Shabe Ze Shabha" and "Parween-e Man".

Zahir worked with mentors such as Ismail Azami (saxophonist), Nangalai (trumpeter), Abdullah Etemadi (drummer), and other musicians including Salim Sarmast, Nainawaz, Taranasaz and Mashour Jamal. He recorded over 22 albums in the 1970s. His songs were noted for their mellifluous tone, poetic style, compelling depth, and passionate emotional evocation.[citation needed] Zahir was on the scene of Afghan music for only 10 years at the most; yet, managed to record more than 30 albums. This was and is unique in any music industry around the world. All of these albums were successful and widely accepted (to this date) by everyone. The musicians managed to complete these recordings almost 40 years ago with almost no technology of today's world, and all was done in live recordings.

He recorded over 22 albums in 1970s as his songs were noted for their mellifluous tones, poetic style, compelling depth and passionate emotional evocation.

Ahmaz Zahir was professionally on the scene of Afghan Music for only 10 years however he managed to record more than 30 albums a total of 400 songs. All of his albums were successful and vastly accepted by everyone not only in Afghanistan but also in Tajikistan, Iran, Pakistan and possibly India. He only recorded two video songs in his career.

His music blended folk music, Persian literature, Indian classical music and Western pop and rock styles. Among Afghans, he is considered an icon of Afghan music and is widely regarded as the single greatest musician of all time, posthumously reclaiming immortal fame due to his contributions and influence on music in Afghanistan. He has also become an icon of peacetime pre-war Afghanistan.

Zahir was heavily influenced by Fazel Ahmad Zekria, or 'Naynawaz' as he was called. Fazel was a famous Afghan singer and composer, and when Zahir met him, his world as a musician opened up. Zahir used compositions from people like Zekria, but he also created his own hits. He took music from a wide variety of composers from varied cultures like American, French, Indian and tailored them to fit his lyrics.

He was not afraid to use a variety of instruments to make music that was sensational and new. He was a fan favourite almost overnight.

Many of his songs were based on Dari poems that were well known, but Zahir set them to Western music. He read the great Persian poets and put their words to music; he also used Afghan folklore as the basis for some of his songs. His style of song reached the people because there was familiarity and because he infused a Western beat.

His tenor voice allowed for a wide range, and the tonal quality he achieved along with the depth of his lyrics fueled the national response. There are many people who have said that the response to Zahir was similar to the response to Elvis. The crowds went wild.

He was controversially died on June 14 1979, on his 33rd birthday. There are many speculations about his death as his son Rishad Zahir said that his father was assassinated by a communist commander.

Apparently, Ahmad Zahir was killed in a traffic accident in Salang valley but according to his father he had bullet wounds on his temple region.

A large crowd of mourners attended Zahir's funeral in Kabul, clogging the city streets and bringing daily activities to a halt. After his death Zahir became a national hero and his image was mythologized by the Afghan people. Because of his privileged family background, Zahir helped to establish music as a more respected profession which in turn led to the founding of The Kabul Music School in 1974

Controversy

A controversy regarding the relation between his song "Tanha Shodam Tanha" and Claude Morgan's song "El Bimbo" (1974) exists. Some sources date the song and the album "Lylee" on which it appeared to which would make Morgan's version a cover, and some (mostly based on a previous version of this article) date it to 1977, reversing the relationship.

Legacy

After his death, Zahir was considered a national hero. His tomb was destroyed by the Taliban in the late 1990s, but was later rebuilt by loving fans. It was renovated as recently as 2018 by fans who have established a foundation in his name in hopes of continuing his legacy.

His songs "Khuda Buwad Yaret", "Asman Khalist", "Agar Bahar Beyayad", "Laili Laili Jan", "Chashme Siya Dari", "Zim Zim (Kajaki Abroyet)" and many others, are known by the vast majority of Afghans. They are ranked as some of the best music created in Afghanistan's musical history.

Zahir was listed as one of 50 golden voices in history who have made their mark internationally, according to National Public Radio (NPR).

The Academy Award-nominated American film director Sam French has been tapped in 2018 to direct a documentary film about Zahir's life.

Ahmad Zaher’s Death

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the death of Ahmad Zahir who died on June 13, 1979, his thirty-third birthday; the same day his second child, a daughter, Shabnam, was born. His son believes he was assassinated because he spoke out against the Marxist regime in power at the time, but the official story is that there was a car accident that left him dead. His sister believes he was lured out by the Communists and shot.

Regardless, his death only served to make the people love him more. His music is still an inspiration for people and singers alike. His funeral was a holiday, and schools were closed. Thousands of people followed the funeral procession. His grave was visited by men and women until the Taliban took over.

PHOTOS’

Ahmad Zaher


Ahmad Zaher

Ahmad Zaher

Destroyed Ahmad Zaher tomb by the Taliban

Renovated Ahmad Zaher tomb by the people/fans

‌BIOGRAPHY