Qamar Gula

Qamar Gula (Pashto: قمر ګله; Persian: قمر گل, Qamar Gul; 21 January 1952 – 9 December 2022) was an Afghan Canadian musician, who has been credited with being the second female Pashto language singer (after Rukhshana) to sing for the Radio Television Afghanistan. A veteran of Afghan music, she had a career that spanned nearly five decades.

Qamar Gula
Born(1952-01-21)21 January 1952
Nangarhar, Afghanistan
Died9 December 2022(2022-12-09) (aged 70)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresPop
Classical Music
Ghazals
Occupation(s)Afghan musician
Years active1970–2022
LabelsVarious

Early life

Qamar Gula was born in Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan.[1] She started singing at the age of seven or eight,[2] and due to wide audience appreciation she was encouraged to pursue it professionally.

Career

Gula's career reached its zenith when she married Mohammad Din Zakhil who composed many of her songs. By the early 1970s, she gained fame across Afghanistan and ranked among the top female singers of the country.[3] Her music was also heard by ethnic Pashtuns in Pakistan, particularly in what is now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[4][5][6]

Gula’s music included compositions from Zakhil as well as other Afghan composers. Gula maintained her popularity among Afghans, particularly among the older generation who associated her music with the nostalgic times of Afghanistan before the civil war. Her voice was often referred to as “The Golden Voice” by the Afghan media. Over the years, she collaborated with various Afghan singers including Rukhshana in the 1970s, Gul Zaman in the 1980s, and in 2010s with Zarsanga, Waheed Qasemi, and Hangama.

Immigration to Canada

Gula immigrated to Canada due to the civil war in Afghanistan. She lived in the province of Ontario, where she continued her music career.

Death

Gula died of a prolonged illness on 9 December 2022, at the age of 70.[7][8] She left behind three sons and three daughters.

Awards

Gula won many awards throughout her lifetime, including the following:

See also

References
  1. "قمرگل سرو همیشه سبز باغستان موسیقی افغانستان". Farda. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  2. "Renowned Pashto singer Qamar Gula passes away". Radio Pakistan. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  3. "سندرغاړې قمر گل په اوومه سټوډيو کې". BBC. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  4. "How Afghan musicians' departure from Pakistan is a loss for Pushtun culture". Dawn News. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  5. "Afghan artists want govt to recognise their contribution". Dawn News. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  6. "Afghan Pashto singer Qamar Gula dies in Canada". The Namal. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  7. "Golden throat Afghan singer Qamar Gula passes away". Pajhwok Afghan News. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  8. "Qamar Gula, a Popular Pashto Singer Dies in Canada". Khaama Press. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.


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