Ustad Awalmir
Ustad Awalmir is the voice most closely associated with Pashto song in twentieth-century Afghanistan. Born in Peshawar on 8 May 1931, he began learning music as a teenager under several teachers and performed in Kabul at the Afghan Independence Day celebrations at eighteen. The poet Malang Jan helped him get onto Afghan radio, and from 1949 he worked steadily until his death. He was a composer, singer and poet, and he wrote as well as performed — more than 250 songs are credited to him. He sang ghazals and classical forms, accompanying himself on harmonium and guitar. His best-known song, "Da Zamong Zeba Watan" — "this is our beautiful homeland" — became something close to a national anthem in Pashto, and is still the song people name first when he is mentioned. The Ministry of Culture and Information gave him the title Ustad in recognition of his contribution to Afghan music. He died in Kabul in April 1982; sources differ between 24 April and 4 May. In her memoir Raising My Voice, Malalai Joya calls him "the beloved singer of the Afghan nation" and records that he died in poverty, and that money was later raised to restore his grave.
36 songs on Sandar, including 28 with video. Stream them free, or go ad-free with Plus.
Songs by Ustad Awalmir
- Azama Watana
- Baname Sil Da Gulode
- Chirta Tawe Halta Za We
- Daba We Azar Decha
- Da Khapeero
- Dami Ghigta Da Asmana
- Dazamog Ziba Watan
- Masti Mangi Bar Wari De
- Nan Da Beltoon
- Soz Da Mini Mi Qalam Qalam
- Sta Da Strgo Bala Wakhlam
- Watan Janat Nishan De
Music videos
- Agha Kor Ba Wogorm
- Ay Zema Watana
- Bea Me De Google
- Dami Ghigta Da Asmana
- Da Zemong Zeba Watan
- De Stergo Jang De
- Esta De Stergo Bala
- Esta Na Shom Jhar
- Kela Khazan Kela Gul
- Maste Mangay
- Masti Mangi Bar Wari De
- Na Ashna Shekarma
- Newe Mahfel Aw Saqi
- Nice Song
- Old Pashto
- Pashto Song
- Qasam De
- Shpe De Intezar
- Soz De Minae
- Sta Da Strgo Bala Wakhlam
- Sta De Qasam De
- Sta De Stergo
- Sterge De Sere
- Tafahom
- Watan Janat Neshan De
- Watan Janat Nishan De
- With Rokhsana
- Zema Gulfam Raza