Farhad Darya

Farhad Darya

Farhad 'Darya' Nashir (Pashto/Persian: فرهاد دریا), born on September 22, 1962, in the Guzargah section of Kabul, is a singer and composer from Afghanistan. Widely popular, he has earned affection for not only his music but also patriotism. He has fan base that stretches from his native Afghanistan to Tajikistan, Iran, Pakistan, Europe, North America and extending to Australia. Farhad sings in various languages including: Pashto, Persian, Uzbek, and Urdu.

Early years and personal life

Farhad Darya was born in Kabul to Pashtun father and Tajik mother from Kunduz. Farhad's lineage can be traced to the Nashir a tribe of Suri.

Farhad attended Sher Khan High School in North Afghanistan, which was named after his grandfather. He started his first band by the name of Nayestan, meaning Reed-bed. He graduated from Habibia High School. Later, he enrolled at the Polytechnical University of Kabul and then subsequently at Kabul University. It was while attending Kabul University that Farhad founded his first professional band, Goroh-e-Baran, meaning Rain Band. Initially it was to be called Halqahai Tilayee (Golden Rings) but the newcomers later settled on the former title. The band itself was not largely successful, due in part to its non-traditional music; however, it did acquaint the public with the faces of the member singers: Farhad Darya, Asad Badie, Mukhtar Majid and Jawid Rahie. Still involved in his music career, Farhad continued his studies in college. During this time, he wrote music for other artists under the pseudonym Abr (Cloud). In 1988, Farhad became a professor at the university and taught Western classical music for a year before leaving for Europe.

After traveling through Prague and Hamburg, Farhad arrived in Paris, where he would meet his future wife Sultana Emam. The two were married in 1993, and moved to the United States in 1995, where they still live in the state of Virginia. In 1996, Farhad's son Hejran Darya was born.

Career

Up Until late 1980s

During the 1980s, Farhad's focus was his education and his singing profession did not materialize into an established career. Mainly involved with the Rain Band, he was only recognized merely as a single part of a whole group. However, after his emigration from Afghanistan and the dissolution of the group, he embarked on a solo career.

1990s to Present

Since Farhad's television debut on Afghanistan's television network in 1980, he has released over two dozen albums-the acclaimed ones produced in exile-many of which deal with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the resulting misfortunes of the war-torn nation. Most of the music is aimed at helping the people of Afghanistan and bringing unity to his native country. His 2003 album Salam Afghanistan, specifically, dealing with themes of national unity became an overnight hit. These efforts have earned him much acclaim and the title of "Best Singer of the Year" in his country, and most recently in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He has sung songs in various Afghan dialects, as well as in Uzbeki and Urdu. Farhad Darya started playing Afghan and Indian classical music since 1978. He intends to expand his knowledge in this domain as much as possible. Most of Darya's vocal exercises are in accordance with the rules of Afghan-Indo classical music.

Release of his successful album "Ha"

In 2008 Darya released his international CD "Ha". According to Beerobar.com sources the Cd has been a hit inside Afghanistan. The video of Nazdeek Shodan (Dohle Bezan) from his album HA was released on Afghanistan National Television, which was a hit among Afghans inside the country, and the afghan diaspora.

"Ha" has been rated 4.5/5 Stars by Beerobar.com.

File:Farhad Darya "Ha" by BeerobarDotcom.jpg

Afghan Orphans Controversy

In 2007 Farhad Darya was accused by a Afghan private run television, in America of stealing money from Afghan Orphans organization inside Kabul. The video showed children accusing Darya of using them for one of his video projects "Kochah" without paying them. They also accused Darya for receiving money from this project.

Later the same year Darya visited Afghanistan to clarify these claims, he interviewed the same people who in the video accused Darya. They Confessed that their video was misused, and they had not meant to offend Darya, and asked Farhad Darya for forgiveness. The video was later shown on Beerobar.com website, which received over 10,000 hits in one week.

Contributions

Music

Farhad has been credited to write, compose, organize, and direct numerous songs for various other Afghan singers. Along his entertainment involvements, Farhad has also been involved in philanthropy work, especially for the disadvantaged victims of the civil war in Afghanistan. He is known to be highly patriotic and this has contributed to the growing popularity of the singer. His recent album Salam Afghanistan (سلام افغانستان) is a reflection of the nostalgia for his homeland.

Films

Farhad Darya produced additional scoring and lyrics for Through Her Eyes a short film written and directed by Mithaq Kazimi.

Farhad Darya produced background music for the film In Foreign Land (1998).

Awards

Afghanistan: Best Singer of the Year (2003)
Denmark: Best Singer of the Year (2005)

Discography

• Released in Afghanistan
  • Yaare Bewafaa (یار بی وفا)
  • Rahe Rafta (راه رفته)
  • Afghan Folk Music (محلي)
  • Zaro Jane (زارو جانه)
  • Baran (باران)
  • Ghazal (غزل)
  • Bolbole Awara (بلبل آواره)
  • Mazdeegar (مازديگر)
  • Bazme Ghazal (بزم غزل)
  • Mehrbaani (مهربانی)

• Released Abroad
  • Begum Jan (بیگم جان)
  • Teri Soorat (तेरी सूरत تیرِی صورت)
  • Ateschparcha (آتش پرچه)
  • Afghanistan (افغانستان)
  • Live In San Francisco (كنسرت سانفرانسيسكو)
  • Shakar (شكر)
  • In Foreign Land (در سرزمين بيگانه)
  • Live In Europe (كنسرت اروپا)
  • Qabila-e-Ashiq (قبیلهء عاشق)
  • Golom Golom (گُلم گُلم)
  • Salaam Afghanistan (سلام افغانستان)

External links

• Official website of Farhad Darya
• Farhad Darya fansite
• Listen to Farhad Darya Music Online