Ustad Sarahang
Ustad Mohammad Hussain Sarahang was the towering figure of Afghan classical music, and he is still described as the crown of Afghanistan's music. He was born in 1924 in Kharabat, the musicians' quarter of Kabul, the second son of the musician Ghulam Hussain, who gave him his first lessons. He then did what few Afghan musicians did: he went to India and stayed. He studied Hindustani classical singing in the Patiala gharana under Ashiq Ali Khan for some sixteen years before returning to Kabul around 1949. He worked in khayal, thumri, tarana and classical ghazal, and he was above all a Bedil specialist — his settings of the Persian ghazals of Abdul-Qādir Bedil and Amir Khusrow are what his name means to listeners. Soon after returning he won a gold medal at a festival at Kabul's Pamir Cinema, where Bade Ghulam Ali Khan also performed, and the Afghan government gave him the title Sarahang. Indian music schools honoured him repeatedly, naming him Baba-e Musiqee in Delhi in 1979 and Sher-e Musiqee in Allahabad in 1982. He co-wrote Qānūn-e Tarab, a history of Afghan music, and composed the ragas Hazra and Minamalee. He died in Kabul in 1983.
25 songs on Sandar, including 15 with video. Stream them free, or go ad-free with Plus.
Songs by Ustad Sarahang
- Ai Deil
- Ambareen
- Arsh Agar
- Choon Jaan Kharabat
- Janan Mi Bya Pa Lowgar - (Pashto)
- Khezed
- Khuda Jaan
- O Yaar
- Pish Goftar
- Rag
- Shaad Kon
- Shah Laila
- Taaley Am
Music videos
- Aahesta Boro
- Aan Dil
- Dard E Muhabat
- Dostan Az Manash
- Janan Mi Bya Pa Lowgar - (Pashto)
- Khamoosh Nafasm
- Mand Rag
- Mina Biyawareed
- Oh Yaar
- O Yaar
- Raag
- Raga Gawati
- Shad Kon Jan Man
- Shah Laila
- Sokhta Lala Zar Man