POP MUSIC IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghan popular music emerged in the early days of the country's radio station. Radio Afghanistan began broadcasting to local audiences in the country in 1941 during the reign of Mohammad Zahir Shah. At that time, a new style of singing was developed for the radio that was acceptable and palatable for the Afghan public. This style was similar to ghazal singing, but simpler in performance. Songs contained a refrain and poetic couplet, each with their own melodies. Distinguishing this song style is an additional instrumental interlude, known as a naghma, that is played between repetitions of the refrain and couplet's melodies. This type of song is referred to as "tarz," meaning "style."
This type of singing flourished from the 1950's through the 1970's, the so-called "Golden Age of Afghan Music." It was popularized by famous radio artists such as Ahmad Zahir, Ustad Farida Mahwash, Nashenas, Sarban, Ustad Awalmir, Ahmad Wali, and Fazel Ahmad Zekrya, also known as Ustad Nainawaz. The radio station played a major role in popularizing and legitimizing music in Afghanistan, and it was also an important employer of professional and amateur musicians.
Nowadays "popular music" includes many other types of music listened to by Afghans. Pakistani and Indian film songs are popular in Afghanistan due to the proximity of these countries and the popularity of their films among Afghan audiences. As well, Iranian film songs are popular in the western edge of the country. Western-style rock and pop bands are also common, as are musical groups that blend together aspects of Afghan and non-Afghan musical styles.
Ahmad Zahir
Ahmad Zahir (1946-1979) was one of the most famous Afghan music icons of the late 20th century. He was born into a wealthy and cosmopolitan family; his father was a prominent doctor and politician who would be the country's Prime Minister from 1971-1972. Zahir gained popularity as a talented singer early on his life, and he additionally played the harmonium, piano accordion, and electric organ. He was lauded for his soulful style of singing, as well as his ability to integrate Afghan, Indian, and Western musical styles into his compositions. Zahir is often referred to as the "Afghan Elvis" on account of his stylish good looks and matching hairstyle and sideburns. His songs represent a very Westernized style of Afghan popular music, and often include instruments such as the trumpet, electric guitar, and drum set. Throughout his career Zahir recorded over 30 studio albums, which remain popular in Afghanistan and throughout the Afghan diaspora.
Farida Mahwash
Farida Mahwash (b. 1947) is an Afghan singer who is often called the "Voice of Afghanistan." She was initially employed at the radio station as a secretary before being encouraged by the station's directory to become a singer. Mahwash studied singing with musicians from Kabul's musician's neighborhood, the kharabat, including Ustad Mohammad Hashim Chishti and later Ustad Mohammad Hussain Sarahang. Her singing career at the radio station began in the 1960's, and she was highly regarded for her robust voice and mastery of vocal ornamentation techniques. In 1976 she was given the title of "Ustad," meaning master musician, by the Afghan government after her recording of "O Bacha," a song that combined numerous local Afghan singing styles into one song form. She is currently based in California where she still performs among the Afghan diaspora.
"O bacha" was the song that propelled Ustad Mahwash to stardom in Afghanistan. The song combines several musical styles from different regions around Afghanistan, adding considerable difficulty to its performance. The song also playfully critiques the influence of Western music and dance, with the lyrics expressing a distaste for dancing Western styles and favoring Afghan styles instead.
O bacha o bacha
Ba to naraqsom cha cha cha
O bacha bia ki ba to naghma-ye Logar naraq basheh
