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'{{short description|Afghan musician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Ahmad Zahir<br />{{nq|احمد ظاهر}} | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Ahmad Zahir | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1946|6|14}} | birth_place = [[Kabul Province|Kabul]], Afghanistan | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1979|6|14|1946|6|14}} | death_place = [[Salang Tunnel]], [[Parwan Province|Parwan]]/[[Baghlan Province|Baghlan]], Afghanistan | nationality = | genre = {{hlist|Pop|traditional}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|composer}} | instrument = {{hlist|[[Pump organ|Harmonium]]|piano|[[accordion]]|[[acoustic guitar]]}} | years_active = 1964–1979 | module = {{Infobox person|child=yes | father = [[Abdul Zahir (politician)|Abdul Zahir]] | mother = Quraisha}} | website = [https://soundcloud.com/ahmadzaher Ahmad Zahir's songs] }} '''Ahmad Zahir''' ([[Persian language|Persian]]/[[Pashto]]: احمد ظاهر) 14 June 1946 – 14 June 1979) was an Afghan singer, songwriter, and composer.<ref>https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship/ahmad-zahir-the-voice-of-afghanistan/</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20181206-ahmad-zahir-the-enduring-appeal-of-the-afghan-elvis |title=Ahmad Zahir: The Enduring |work=Arwa Haider |publisher=BBC News |date=6 December 2018| access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> The majority of his songs were sung in Dari/Persian,<ref>https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20181206-ahmad-zahir-the-enduring-appeal-of-the-afghan-elvis</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/ahmad-zahir-who-afghan-elvis-extraordinary-life-death/ |title=The 'Afghan Elvis': the extraordinary life of Ahmad Zahir |work=Monica Whitlock; BBC World Histories magazine |date=4 July 2019| access-date=2019-10-10 |quote=He sang mostly in – Persian – but also in Urdu and English.}}</ref><ref> Mohammad Sediq Farhang. خاطرات میر محمد صدیق فرهنگ (2016 ed.). shahmbookco. p. 363 (in Persian) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWPXiQzWkAEavcH?format=jpg&name=large</ref><ref>Biographer and Close Friend استاد صفی الله ثبات (in Persian) via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPGamLSWSPI</ref> though he sang a few songs in Pashto, Hindi, Russian, and English. Zahir is considered an icon of [[Afghanistan music|Afghan music]].<ref name="Inskeep">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123137188|title=Ahmad Zahir: The Voice of the Golden Years|last=Inskeep|first=Steve|date=1 February 2010|newspaper=Morning Edition|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504182134/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123137188|archive-date=4 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> == Early years == Ahmad Zahir was born on 14 June 1946 (Jauza 24, 1325 of the Jalali calendar) in Kabul to an ethnic Pashtun family.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/persian/arts/story/2003/12/031206_pm-zahir</ref> <ref>https://www.bbc.com/pashto/afghanistan-44439716</ref> <ref>https://www.mashaalradio.com/a/28810947.html</ref> <ref>https://ps.wikipedia.org/wiki/احمد_ظاهر</ref> <ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/20/world/kabul-journal-the-afghan-elvis-lives-24-years-after-his-death.html</ref> <ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/10/10/evergreen-afghan-elviss-legacy-endures-decades-after-death</ref> <ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/nov/28/afghanistan.arts</ref> <ref>https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghan-singer-s-legacy-continues-at-home-and-abroad/29570627.html</ref> <ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csz4kd</ref> His father, [[Abdul Zahir (politician)|Abdul Zahir]], was a royal court doctor who served as [[Ministry of Public Health (Afghanistan)|Minister of Health]] and [[Prime Minister of Afghanistan]] between 1971 and 1972. He was a speaker of the parliament and an influential figure who helped write the [[1964 Constitution of Afghanistan]] under [[Mohammed Zahir Shah]]. == Career == Zahir attended [[Habibia High School]] in Kabul, where he formed a band with his friends and classmates, with Omar Sultan on guitar, [[Farid Zoland]] on [[conga]]s, 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]].<ref name="bio">Maiwandi, Farid. [http://www.ahmadzahir.com/sub/biography.html "Ahmad Zahir – A biography in brief (in the words of his son – Rishad Zahir)". Ahmadzahir.com. Retrieved 19 November 2010.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022032518/http://www.ahmadzahir.com/sub/biography.html|date=22 October 2010}}</ref> Zahir 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 obtain a degree as an English instructor.<ref>https://study.com/academy/lesson/ahmad-zahir-biography-songs-poems.html</ref> After his return from India, Zahir got a job as a journalist for ''[[The Kabul Times]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2016/06/ahmad-zahir-the-afghan-elvis|title=Ahmad Zahir: The Voice of Afghanistan|website=daily.redbullmusicacademy.com}}</ref> but soon began to work closely with Afghan composers [[Nainawaz]] and Taranasazon. His first recorded song, "Gar Kuni Yak Nizara", was his own composition, blending Indian [[raga]] with western [[Pop music|pop]] rhythms.<ref name="bio" /> Zahir worked with mentors such as saxophonist Ismail Azami, trumpeter Nangalai, drummer Abdullah Etemadi, and other musicians including Salim Sarmast, Nainawaz, Taranasaz, and Mashour Jamal. He recorded over 22 albums in the 1970s.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} Zahir was on the scene of Afghan music for only a decade, yet managed to record more than thirty albums. A controversy regarding the relation between his song "Tanha Shodam Tanha" and [[Bimbo Jet|Claude Morgan]]'s song "El Bimbo" (1974) exists. Some sources date the song and the album ''Lylee'' on which it appeared to 1971,<ref name="tanha1971-1">SpeedyLook Encyclopedia. [http://www.myetymology.com/encyclopedia/Ahmad_Zahir.html "Ahmad Zahir"].</ref><ref name="tanha1971-2">RateYourMusic.com [http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/ahmad_zahir/afghan_music_vol__11___lylee/ "Afghan Music Vol.11 Lylee"]</ref> 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. Because of his musical family background, Zahir helped to establish music as a more respected profession in Afghanistan, which in turn led to the founding of The Kabul Music School in 1974.<ref>{{cite book|title=Culture and customs of Afghanistan|last=Emadi|first=Hafizullah|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2005|isbn=0-313-33089-1|pages=105}}</ref> Following the [[Saur Revolution]], Zahir criticized the leaders of the new socialist government in three songs,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ahmadzahir.com/biography/|title=Biography}}{{Dead link|date=April 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> modelling himself after one of his heroes, [[John Lennon]], who used music for [[Anti-war movement|anti-war resistance]] in the West.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/entries/92b6abd2-9882-3cfc-b659-8036e3cae4e6</ref><ref name="Inskeep" /> === Musical style and contributions === Zahir learned to play various musical instruments, including the [[Pump organ|harmonium]], [[guitar]], and accordion by the time he was 16 years old. His privileged and affluent background gave him the opportunity to travel and become exposed to the burgeoning musical revolution of the 1960s and 1970s occurring in the United States, Europe, and India. He was an avid listener of all genres of music and incorporated elements of western pop, [[Rock music|rock]], [[chanson]], [[flamenco]], and [[jazz]], as well as [[Indian classical music|Indian]], [[Arabic music|Arab]], [[Iranian folk music|Iranian]], and [[Music of Afghanistan|Afghan folk]] into his songs. Zahir's debut album was recorded with [[Radio Kabul]]. It is the first Afghan album that falls in the western genre of music, consisting mostly of pop songs. Zahir's second album, also recorded with Radio Kabul, not only shot him to superstardom but was also hailed by critics as an artistic masterpiece. The album has a distinctly Afghan sound, unlike his first effort. Other Zahir albums and songs mostly continue the musical style of this record. Zahir was one of the first Afghan musicians to cover songs by other artists. He covered a playback of the Indian film ''[[Bobby (1973 film)|Bobby]]'', which was a hit in Afghanistan at the time, as well as a number of Iranian songs<ref>{{Citation|last=RaazeCmorgh|title=Aref - Soltan e Ghalbha (Old Version) عارف - سلطان قلبها|date=2012-03-20|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77UHhGp_-k8|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=RaazeCmorgh|title=Mahasti - Bache Nasho Ey Del مهستی - بچه نشو ای دل|date=2011-11-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVf0QwB9goc|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> and even some Western hits, including by artists like [[Enrico Macias]] and [[Elvis Presley]].<ref>{{Citation|last=AhmadZahirChannel|title=Ahmad Zahir - Ay Gulozare Man Bagh O Bahare Man- Radio Vol 1|date=2012-01-19|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GInCFYqOk3Y|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=karim elhousni|title=Enrico Macias - Enfants de Tous Pays - Lyrics|date=2012-04-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88tb6Xma0Qw|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> == Death == Zahir died on 14 June 1979, on his 33rd birthday. It was reported in the media that he died in a car accident around the [[Salang Tunnel]]. There are mixed views from critics regarding his death, with some claiming that he was assassinated as his political stance was at odds with the [[Democratic Republic of Afghanistan|government]].<ref name="bio" /> Others believe that he was murdered on the order of senior politician [[Hafizullah Amin]], due to an affair between Zahir and Amin's daughter.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/><ref name="khaama.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaama.com/ahmad-zahirs-death-anniversary-observed-in-kabul-01248/|title=Ahmad Zahir's death anniversary observed in Kabul|date=13 June 2016}}</ref> A large crowd of mourners attended Zahir's funeral in Kabul, clogging the city streets and bringing daily activities to a halt.<ref name="Inskeep" /> He left behind a son, [[Rishad Zahir|Rishad]], from his marriage with his first wife, Najia. His daughter Shabnam Zahir, from his second wife, Fahira, was born the day Ahmad Zahir died. ==Legacy== After his death, Zahir was considered a national hero of the Afghan music industry.<ref> Tolo TV Documentary (in Persian) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVMTdPwdF4o</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Dire les autres: réflexions et pratiques ethnologiques: textes offerts à Pierre Centlivres|last=Hainard|first=Jacques|author2=Pierre Centli vres|author3=Roland Kaehr|publisher=Éditions Payot|year=1997|isbn=2-601-03221-9|pages=107|language=French}}</ref><ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/10/10/evergreen-afghan-elviss-legacy-endures-decades-after-death</ref> His tomb was destroyed by the [[Taliban]] in the late 1990s, but was later rebuilt by loving fans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2003/12/04/elvis-lives-in-persian|title=Elvis lives, in Persian|date=4 December 2003|via=The Economist}}</ref> It was renovated as recently as 2018 by fans who have established a foundation in his name in hopes of continuing his legacy. Zahir was listed as one of 50 golden voices in history who have made their mark internationally, according to [[National Public Radio]].<ref name="Inskeep"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/series/122287224/50-great-voices|title=50 Great Voices|website=NPR.org}}</ref> The [[Academy Award]]-nominated American film director Sam French was tapped in 2018 to direct a documentary film about Zahir's life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://da.azadiradio.com/a/29530159.html|title=مصاحبه با فلم‌ساز امریکایی که در بارۀ احمد ظاهر فلم می‌سازد|via=da.azadiradio.com}}</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/ahmadzahirdoc/posts/exciting-news-we-are-thrilled-to-announce-our-new-director-of-the-ahmad-zahir-do/1431135247030879/</ref> == Discography == {{More citations needed|section|date=March 2021}} '''Afghan music albums''' * ''Dilak am'' (1973) * ''Bahar'' (1973) * ''Shab ha ye zulmane'' (1974) * ''Mother'' (1974) * ''Awara'' (1975) * ''Ghulam-e Qamar'' (1975) * ''Sultan Qalbaam'' (1976) * ''Az Ghamat Hy Nazaneen'' (1976) * ''Gulbadaan'' (1971) * ''Yaare Bewafa'' (1977) * ''Lylee'' (1971)<ref name="tanha1971-1" /><ref name="tanha1971-2" /> or (1977) * ''Ahmad Zahir and Jila'' (1978) * ''Ahange Zindagee'' (1978) * ''Shab-e Hijraan'' (1979) (posthumous release) Note: [[Compact cassette|audio cassette]] versions of many of Zahir's ''Afghan music'' albums are missing some songs that are present on the original [[vinyl record]]s. '''Ariana music albums''' * ''Daard-e Dil'' (1972) * ''Mosum-e Gul'' (1977) Note: The original ''Ariana music'' albums contain many hidden tracks. '''Music center albums''' * ''Ashiq rooyat Mon'' (1973) * ''Neshe Gashdum'' (1976) * ''Lylee Jaan'' (1977) * ''Ahmad Zahir Ba Sitara Haa'' (1977) * ''To Baamanee'' (1978) == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * [https://soundcloud.com/ahmadzaher/ Ahmad Zahir on Soundcloud] * [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zahirthefilm/ahmad-zahir-the-documentary-film Ahmad Zahir - the documentary film on Kickstarter] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050417111419/http://adequacy.net/review.php?reviewid=3579 Anthology of World Music: The Music of Afghanistan] * [https://archive.org/details/musicinmindconce0000saka Music in the Mind: The Concepts of Music and Musician in Afghanistan] {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Zahir, Ahmad}} [[Category:1946 births]] [[Category:1979 deaths]] [[Category:Afghan musicians]] [[Category:Afghan singers]] [[Category:Pashtun people]] [[Category:Afghan revolutionaries]] [[Category:Afghan anti-communists]] [[Category:Afghan secularists]] [[Category:Afghan democracy activists]] [[Category:Habibia High School alumni]] [[Category:20th-century singers]] [[Category:Road incident deaths in Afghanistan]] [[Category:Assassinated Afghan people]] [[Category:Afghan male singers]] [[Category:20th-century male singers]]'