About this user
Zahir was born on June 14, 1946 (Jauza 24, 1325 of the Jalali calendar) in Laghman. His father, Abdul Zahir, was a royal court doctor, minister of health, Prime Minister of Afghanistan between 1971 and 1972, speaker of the parliament and an influential figure in the Zahir Shah era who helped write the Constitution of Afghanistan. Ahmad Zahir belonged to the Pashtun ethnic group but like many others in Kabul he used Dari instead of Pashto language.
Ahmad Zahir attended Habibia High School in Kabul in the early 1960s. He sang and played the accordion in a band mainly consisting of his friends and classmates including Omar Sultan on guitar, Farid Zaland on congas and Kabir Howaida on piano. The band later became known as the amateur band of Habibia High School and performed in local concerts during celebratory occasions like Nowruz, Eid, and Afghan Independence Day.
He later attended and graduated from Daru' l-Malimeen ("Teachers' College") in Kabul, then continued his higher education for two more years in India to get a degree as an English instructor. Eventually, however, he decided that music was his true calling. Ahmad Zahir began his solo career composing songs based on well-recognized Persian poems. His first recorded song, "Gar Kuni Yak Nizara", was his own composition, sung in the pilu raga. 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, Naynawaz, Taranasaz, and Mas'hour 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] His lyrics covered a wide range of subjects. Many of his songs contained autobiographical elements or political criticism of Afghanistan's government. As a result many of his recordings were destroyed by the government.
The king professionaly was on the scene of Aghan Music for only 10 years at max; however, the king managed to record a record number of albums which was more than 30 albums, this was and is unheard of in any music industry around the world, to note, all these albums were superhits and widely accepted (to this date) by everyone. The kings managed to complete these recordings almost 40yrs ago with almost no technology of today's world, and all was done in live recordings. It is said the kings recorded his Arian Music Album 1 in one day, that had more than 12 songs, all live. Long live the King Ahmad Zahir...
Death and legacy
Zahir died on June 14, 1979, on his 33rd birthday. According to his son Rishad, Zahir "was assassinated by the order of a communist general named Daud Taroon, who used one of Ahmad Zahir's best friends as an accomplice to carry out his orders". Ahmad Zahir's political stance was at odds with the communist government of the time[4] who claimed that he had died in a car accident.[5] 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.
Ahmad Zahir's son Rishad Zahir currently lives in the United State and is following his father legacy.
Age
28
Hometown
Paradise
Country
Swaziland
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