Zia QariZada (1922-2008)

There is not an Afghan who has not at one point or another shed a tear, or at least felt their heart constrict, for Kabul when listening to this timeless classic about the city in its heyday of beauty and glory:

مشک تازه می بارد ابر بهمن کابل
موج سبزه می کارد کوی و برزن کابل

transliteration:
Mushk-e-Taaza Mibarad Abr-e Bahman-e Kabul
Mowj-e Sabza Mikarad Koy-o Barzan-e Kabul

translation:
The spring clouds of Kabul rain fresh fragrance
its streets and alleys covered in waves of green grass

And though there came a time when Kabul’s sky rained bullets and bombs (…بمب تازه میبارد) and its streets and alleys were covered in potholes and landmines, many an Afghan and a Kabuli remembered the Kabul of yesteryear immortalized in this song, especially when rendered in late Sarban’s melancholy voice.

Zia Qarizada, the composer of this and several other classics of Afghan music passed away on Sunday, away from home in Canada.
In his will he requested that his remains be taken to Kabul and buried there.

~ by safrang on January 15, 2008.