Safdar Tawakoli
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Safdar Tawakoli (b. 1942) holds a unique place in the history of Afghan music in general and Hazaragi music in Particular. He is the iconic "Dambura Player" of his generation. Safdar has for decades freshened the ears of his listeners with his unique style of regional traditional music. Safdar has not only been popular among listeners in his own generation but has as well inspired the younger generation, who are more than interested in learning his instrument and memorising his lyrics.
Safdar Tawakoli was born in 1942 in the Yakawlang district of Bamiyan in a moderate family. His interest in music nurtured during his youth but had to face the troubles of conservative tradition and religious fanatics. With stiff resisitence he pursued his field of interest and became a devoted artist. He always admired and in some cases envyed the popularity of the national singers. He mastered "Dambura" - a regional long necked instrument popular among the Hazaras in central Afghanistan.
In pursuit of a career in music he quit Bamiyan to end up with a cassette store in Kabul. Safdar's zeal in his field of interest has been nothing less than an admiration, even in days of extreme hopelessness he didn't give up his identity and continued to work on his voice and instrument.
It was his hard work and talent that led him to the studios of Radio Kabul and Afghanistan's National Television, where he did countless number of shows and sung hundreds of songs. Safdar Tawakuli became a household name in regions and the number of his listeners increased. He became an iconic singer and was awarded with several awards and honorary medals.He represented Afghan Music in several countries of which Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Qirghizistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Iran are some.
He headed the Musical group of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Afghanistan from 1986 to 1995 for eleven consecutive years.
Like everything else Safdar Tawakoli's artistry fell victim to the civil war during which he lost his career, his home, his beloved son but he never lost and shall never lose his fame. He stayed in Afghanistan in extreme conditions, even during the time of the Taliban when his life was in grieve danger.
Safdar is an artist of hearts. He never tried to become rich, he never lost himself during the height of his fame and led the simplest of lives. Like majority of other artists, he too has remained ignored.
After the fall of Taliban, his musical number, "Agar az Bamiyan o Qandahari - Hamay mo Pag biraari"; became a symbol of national unity and pride for Afghanistan when it was re-sung by the prominent Afghan Singer Farhad Darya.
He was one of first singers to sing on Afghanistan's National Radio immediately after the fall of the Taliban. In BBC's words: Safdar Tawakuli (performing a Hazara Song)
"The Hazara comprise about 20%-25% percent of the Afghan population and were particularly repressed by the Taliban for their independent spirit. They are concentrated in the centre of the country where the famous Bamyan Buddha statues were located. Tawakuli didn't go into exile and amongst the Hazara managed to keep playing and performing even during the Taliban period. He accompanies himself on a long-necked lute called the dambura."
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Visit Safdar Tawakoli's Website: http://www.SafdarTawakoli.com
