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Nainawaz

1935 – 1979

Afghan singer

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About Nainawaz

Lived 1935 – 1979 (aged 43–44). Nainawaz was an Afghan poet, singer and composer.

Fazel Ahmad Zekrya (Farsi Dari: ; 1935–1979), known professionally as Nainawaz (Pashto/Dari: ) (or Ustad Nainawaz) was a renowned Afghan artist, poet and composer. He has composed some of the most iconic pieces in Afghan popular music.

Background Nainawaz was one of the nine sons of politician, poet and writer Sardar Haji Faiz Muhammad Khan Zikeria ruling family. He was born in the Yakatoot district of Kabul. Nainwaz attended the elite Lycée Esteqlal in Kabul. In his early teens, he taught himself how to play the accordion. He also wrote poems and composed melodies. His adopted stage name "Nainawaz" means Ney (an End-blown flute) player in Persian. Nainwaz graduated from Kabul University, Law and Political Faculty. Many of his compositions have a Mystical quality and are set to poems by Rumi, Hafez, and Lahuti. Nainawaz was a mentor and teacher to Ahmad Zahir, the well-known Afghan singer.

Death Nainawaz took part in the Bala Hissar uprising against the Khalq communist regime as a part of the Revolutionary Group of the Peoples of Afghanistan in 1979. He was arrested and executed by the Khalq regime.

References and footnotes

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Important facts

Born
1935, Kabul
Birth century
Died
1979, Kabul
Nationality
Also known as
Ustad Nainawaz

People in Nainawaz's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Nainawaz's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Nainawaz?

Afghan singer

When was Nainawaz born?

Nainawaz was born in 1935 in Kabul.

When did Nainawaz die?

Nainawaz died in 1979 in Kabul.

What was Nainawaz's occupation?

Nainawaz was a poet, singer and composer.

What nationality was Nainawaz?

Nainawaz was Afghan.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Nainawaz

· Wikidata: Q6959707

· DBpedia: Nainawaz

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Nainawaz. https://biography.guide/nainawaz/

MLA: "Nainawaz." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/nainawaz/.

Chicago: "Nainawaz." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/nainawaz/.

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