Awalmir
| Awalmir | |
|---|---|
| Native name | استاد اولمیر |
| Born |
1931 Peshawar, British India |
| Died |
April 24, 1982 (aged 50-51) Kabul, Afghanistan |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Harmonium, guitar |
| Years active | 1949 – 1982 |
| Labels | Various |
Ustad Awalmir (Pashto: استاد اولمیر) (born 1931 in Peshawar, British India – died April 24, 1982 in Kabul, Afghanistan) was a Pashtun composer, musician, singer, and poet who wrote and sang in the Pashto language.
He began learning music as a teen from various music teachers and began to perform for radio broadcasts. His first song was My Heart Has Broken To Pieces. At the age of 18, he performed at the Afghan Independence Day in Kabul.
He made a breakthrough into performing on the Afghan radio station with help from Malang Jan, a local poet. Awalmir's output consists of over 250 songs as well as a collection of self-composed songs. His contribution to Afghan music led him the honor of the title Ustad from the Ministry of Culture and Information.
His love and patriotism for Afghanistan is demonstrated in songs such as "Da Zamong Zeba Watan", meaning "this is our beautiful homeland", referring to Afghanistan.[1]