Information: Afghan music History

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History
Afghan music is related to the Music of the Neighbors. Like much of the music is in India style. Especially all classical music.
These are usually song with the instruments: Tabla, Harmonium, Sarang and Rubab. (before the Violin and the wind instruments came).
These also came later, when Afghan people discovered European music (approximately 1950). In the 1860s Amir Sher Ali Khan invited classically trained musicians from northern India to work at his court in Kabul. This classical music came from India with the Indian classical players who have learnd music there.
Afghan music is complicated and there are lots of forms. Religious, Ghazal, Classic, Folklore, Tajik, Pashto music, pop and lots of others.
Basicly Afghan music is a mix, but Afghans did make a new important instrument called: Rubab

The first radio broadcast in Afghanistan was in 1925, This was only for men.
In 1951, the first Afghan female singer sang on the national Radio, this was rare, after that more Afghan female singers had the opportunity to sing and become famous like Ustad Mahwash.
During the 1990s, the Taliban governments banned music in Afghanistan. Hearing music, making or having instruments was forbidden.
The Taliban burned all casettes and radio.
Nowaday making music is free and Afghans can show their talent and Afghan Hip-Hop came up.




Ahmad Zahir
Ahmad Zahir (1946 - 1979), was an Afghan singer, songwriter and composer. A celebrity of enduring popularity more than a quarter century after his controversial death, he is considered an icon of Afghan culture.

Ahmad Zahir’s fame has surpassed any previous singer in Afghanistan’s history, earning him the title of Afghanistan’s Nightingale or the king of Afghan music. His status has been unrivaled even 30 years after his death (2009). Many singers are trying to sing like him.