Naghma
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| نغمه Naghma | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Shaperee |
| Born | January 1 1964 |
| Origin | Kandahar, Afghanistan |
| Genre(s) | Folklore, Pop |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Label(s) | Afghan Vision Records, Ariana Records |
| Website | http://www.mastana.net
Height = 5' 10" Weight = 145 Lbs Hair = Black Eyes = Brown |
Naghma Qyamo (Pashto: نغمه, born Jan 1, 1964) is a popular Afghan singer. She and her first husband, Mangal, were a well known musical duo who dominated Afghan music scene throughout the late 80s and early 1990s. Naghma sings in various languages, but mostly in Pashto language. She is also popular outside her native Afghanistan.
In 2007, Naghma along with her four children left the United States to settle in Islamabad, Pakistan after finalizing her divorce from Mangal in that same year.
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[edit] Early years
Naghma was born to a Pashtun family as Shaperee in Kandahar province of Afghanistan. As a young girl, she developed an interest in music. Her early songs were based on Kandahari songs, most of which were folklore in nature but were essential in training the novice. After moving to Kabul, Naghma held various jobs all the while pursuing her passion. Coming from a traditional family, she met with much domestic resistance who saw singing as a demeaning career for an Afghan woman. Although Naghma was not discouraged by this.
The turning point for the Qandahari girl came when she married Mangal, another musician-turned-singer from the Laghman province of Afghanistan. This pairing not only gave Naghma the support she desired but also supplemented their image as a complete musical set. In 1986, their first album was released that was a springboard that jumpstarted the duo’s professional career. Although not a huge commercial success, it did however establish the pair as well recognized singers. Their perception as perfect match mates contributed to their popularity as well naghma is not taken divorce from mangal is lie
[edit] Career
The pivotal point of their career came with the hit single ‘Malek Janah.’ The song was immensely popular and to this day remains the couple’s most memorable. Soon after this song came ‘Mazdigar di Kana dai,’ another popular song that livened the radio stations of not only Afghanistan but Pakistan and some African countries as well. A number of albums followed which gained moderate success and these were followed by a series of concerts where both was well received.
[edit] Immigration
With impending civil war, the couple left Afghanistan for Pakistan in 1992 . There the couple became very successful to an enthusiastic crowd of Afghan diaspora who were nostalgic of their earlier music. Their financial situation by this time had improved many fold. In the late 90’s they left Pakistan to immigrate to the United States.
After establishing contact with the Afghan community of northern California, the doublet began a series of performances. However, Naghma and Mangal have since divorced, citing Mangal's continual alcohol abuse, and the couple has been sensitive about elaborating further on the issue. Their divorce has also cast a doubt as to whether this former pair can reconcile at least on the professional level. While Mangal performs solo in private events and television programs, Naghma is continuing her career as a professional artist.
[edit] Recent developments
In 2006, Naghma’s new single ‘Mohabbat’ was released. This was the first time she had sang a pop song. It is a favorite club remix and the accompanying video is also Kabul TV station’s and AfghanMTV's most equested video. The song is one of the highest ranking Afghan songs in the world. Also in that year, Naghma returned to Afghanistan to give a round of concerts in various cities with Naim Popal, another popular Afghan singer. During her concert held in Kabul, the crowd showered the singer with rose petals.
[edit] Trivia
- She is known to be very patriotic and has dedicated many songs to Afghanistan.
- Her name-Naghma-incidentally means melody in Persian language.
- She moved from the United States with her two daughters and two sons in 2007 and are currently living in Islamabad, Pakistan. She told and confirmed this on a talk show interview on AVT Khyber, which is one of Pakistan's Pashto TV channels. She also stated on the program that she is only 37 years old.
[edit] References
- Afghanistan Online. Muted Musicians See Hope in Young Performers. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Boston Globe. The Tale of the Pashtun Poetess. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Delusions of Adequacy Reviews. Review of Anthology of World Music: The Music of Afghanistan. Retrieved on January 28, 2006.
- Doubleday, Veronica. Red Light at the Crossroads. 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 2: Latin & North America, Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific, pp 3-8. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
- Mikalina. Afghan Music Before the War. Retrieved on August 27, 2005.
- Baily, John(1988). Music of Afghanistan: Professional Musicians in the City of Herat. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-25000-5
- www.youtube.com Interview with Naghma.
