Music of Afghanistan:
Chaharbeiti Shomali

Ustad Amir Mohammad was from the Kucheh Kharabat, the musicians’ quarter in Kabul and was a very popular singer in Herat, where he was much in demand. Shomali refers to a densely populated region to the north of Kabul, in Parwan Province inhabited by both Dari and Pashto speakers. Chaharbeiti is a type of Persian language quatrain much used in the folk music of Afghanistan.

Ustad Amir Mohammad (vocal and harmonium), Rahim Khusnawaz (rubab), Gada Mohammad (dutar) and Fazal Ahmad (tabla).

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Music of Afghanistan: Chaharbeiti Shomali

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All Afghanistan exhibition video and audio

 

Introduction to the exhibition

Aghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World.

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Hidden treasures

The extraordinary story of how Afghanistan's treasures were hidden from danger.

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The Greek legacy

The lasting influence of Alexander the Great in Afghanistan.

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Returning ivories

The remarkable story of conservation and repatriation of the Begram Ivories.

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Installing the crown

A gold crown found in the tomb of a nomadic woman is put on display.

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Opening ceremony

Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, is joined by Foreign Secretary William Hague.

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Glass blowing

Watch the creation of a fish-shaped vessel – the first time anyone has tried to make it.
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Music of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is home to a variety of regional music characteristic of the ethnic groups inhabiting the different parts of the country. Professor John Baily and Veronica Doubleday lived in Herat during the 1970s in order to research and record the music of the city and surrounding rural areas.

Recorded events