Ahmad Toryalay Zahir was born on the 23rd of Jauza, 1325 (June 13, 1946) To Dr Abdul Zahir the late prime minister of Afghanistan and his wife. His family hails from Laghman, Afghanistan,

While his father was abroad he brought him a mandolin and young ahmad zahir’s love for music grew. He would master the instrument along with the accordion, harmonium, and organ and sing to any family member willing to listen. His debut song "Ay Bulbuli Shorida" was performed at Hibibia High School and his schoolmates awarded him title of "Bulbul-e-Habibia" (Nightingale of Habibia). While in high school, Ahmad Zahir, Omar Sultan, Nabil Meskinyar, Farid Zaland and Akbar Nayab formed a band called "Amateurs of Habibia"

While his father was appointed Afghanistan's Ambassador to India, Ahmad Zahir traveled with him, attending school and continued his studies in the field of education in New Delhi. Upon his return to Afghanistan in 1969, Ahmad Zahir accepted a position at Kabul Times and simultaneously was employed at Afghan Films.

It was then that he met Fazel Ahmad Zekria “Naynawaz” and his horizon grew as a composer, not only did he accept compositions from great masters of the era but produced most of his own hits and adapted never before heard western music of Indian, Spanish, French, English, and American composers to his lyrics and the use trumpet, saxophone, organ, tabla, drums, guitar, rubab, harmonium, piano and accordion made his music unique and revolutionary

According to Afghan Mosaic Magazine [By 1973 (1352), Ahmad Zahir's popularity had developed into a national frenzy. According to his son, "In 1973, at the zenith of his career, my parents separated. This was during the time when he held more concerts and was touring in other cities in Afghanistan. The love of the audience for him and his music was growing increasingly." He had become an icon and his popularity spilled over national boundaries. He sang "Banu Banu" while on tour in Iran. During this time, Ahmad Zahir earned the national title, "Singer of the Year." In his acceptance speech, he advised future musicians that "Ghorur shikast hunari bar mewarad…riqabati hunari bayad sahlim bashad nah hasahdat amiz."

In spite of his free-spirited posturing, Ahmad Zahir remained studiously polite to his elders and was devoted to his mother. In fact, his mother's death came at a stressful time in his life. It moved him so much that he wrote one of him most passionate songs for her: "Binazam qalbi paakat madar-e- man." Ahmad Zahir himself created an aesthetic vocabulary for dealing with joy, love, pain, and loneliness through his music that is unparalleled by modern musicians]

Due to an incident still unclear, Ahmad Zahir was imprisoned, there are many theories from an untimely death of a woman to conspiracy and connection with Mafia that landed him in prison. It was in prison where he heard the news of the death of his beloved mother. He was allowed to attend the funeral services of his mother and later released and charges proven wrong.

According afghanland.com's sources; Days before his birthday Ahmad Zahir received an anonymous message that his life is in danger and there is an attempt on his life. Ahmad Zahir shares this new with his pregnant wife. On Wednesday, Jauza 23, 1358 (June 13, 1979). The day of his birthday, Ahmad Zahir along with Mahboobullah Mahboob (Pacha) and two of his guests decide to take a trip up Salang Pass. At the Salang pass his car is stopped by armed men and Ahmad Zahir is pulled out of his car, He yells to Mahboobulla for help, but he stays in the car along with his guests.

Ahmad Zahir’s dead body is placed back in the car and is reported as a traffic accident. The first person who arrived on the scene did not see any damaged to his car, and swore he saw a bullet wound on the side of his head. Till this day Mahboobullah and the 2 guests have taken a vow of silence as to the details of Ahmad Zahir's death and have repeated the same answer that "they were unconscious and do not remember the events of the day" but several stories were leaked from sources close to the individuals.

Ahmad Zahir passed away on his birthday and as he left this world his daughter Shabnam was born.

Ahmad Zahir left behind two children, Ahmad Rishad and Shabnam whom currently live in United States along with Ahmad Zahir's sister, Zahira who is the personal hair stylist of Presidents Bush, Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and other dignitaries.

More Ahmad Zahir information, including his Radio Interviews, his rare songs will be published here on Afghanland.com

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