Wajiha Rastagar is one of the lead pop singers in the history of women singers of Afghanistan. In early times she founded the music group Gul-e-Surkh (Red Flower). With the support of her husband Farid Rastagar and Amir Jan Saboory, this group became fast one of the famous groups in Afghanistan.
Her songs "Yaar Yak Sarbaz Ast Laila", "Tan Maihan Ba Maihan Ehtiaj Ast" and "Ay Bro Bro Baba" became quickly No 1 hits in the country. She sings in Dari, Hazaragi, Pashtu and Hindi. "Delak-e- Khosh Bawar", "Teri Raree" and "Alocha" are her latest albums.
Wajiha is currently living with her family in Germany and is looking forward to be a part of the jury in Afghan star:" I am very honored that I will be in this year's jury. I am sure we will see lots of young talented people. I am looking forward for the next 6 months and who will be star in this season".
Profile Wajiha Rastagar
Hussain Arman
Born in Kabul in 1935 to a humble family, Hussain Arman’s interest in music developed from elder brother Ibrahim Nassim, an established musician and actor in Afghanistan. Arman first dabbled with the “Toola”, the traditional Afghan Flute, before taking Harmonium lessons at age 12. In 1955 he learned a more developed system of music and the mandolin under the tutelage of Ustad Farokh Affandi. He was also a member of the Sana-e Baladia (City Theatre) as an actor and singer.
In 1963, Arman traveled to Yugoslavia to study western classical music and classical guitar with Maestro S. Barlevitch at the Zagreb High School of Music.
He returned to Afghanistan in 1973, where he taught classical guitar at the only music school in Kabul. He also started his career at Radio Kabul as a singer, composer and guitarist.
Arman has been residing in Geneva, Switzerland since 1992, where he founded the Ensemble Kabul for Afghan Traditional Music.
Profile Ustad Arman
Ensemble Kabul was invited to the most prestigious music festivals around the world, including a tour in North America, the U.K. and France. It also performed at various concerts and conferences in Germany, Scandinavian countries, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Lebanon and North Africa.
Arman recorded his first album titled “Nastaran” in Europe in 1999, and his second album “Taranom” was released in 2006. Hussain Arman and Ensemble Kabul work with other European musicians including Jordi Savall, Ross Daly and others.
Qasim Ramishgar
A musician, composer and singer, Qasim Ramishgar is a talented artist who is perhaps best known for his skills on the guitar. Ramishgar was born in Kabul in 1966 and graduated from Tajwar Sultana High School in Macrorayan 1. He joined a music school in 1979 where he formally learned to play music and sing. In 1989, he graduated from the Music Faculty at Kabul University. He migrated to Russia and lived there for many years before returning to Afghanistan. He is currently Director of Music Production at the National Radio and Television Network. Ramishgar has composed some great hits and has been a guitarist to many well known performers.
Profile Qasim Ramishgar
Omid Nezami
Omid Nezami, the renowned, charismatic host of Afghan Star, is back for his fourth time to host the country’s most popular show . 26 year old Nezami graduated from Nadiria High School and received a degree in English from Education University. He worked as an English teacher for five years before taking part in Afghan Star – as a contestant – and subsequently winning third place in Season 3 of the hit show. Nezami juggles his presenting duties with a demanding job at Ariana Afghan Airlines. His most popular songs are “Ma parenda eem” and “Khawabam nami barad”. He enjoys socializing, watching movies and sampling new cuisine. He admires artists who exceed in their field. Nezami: “I love to sing and present, and Afghan Star offers me an opportunity to do both. It is always thrilling to see new Afghan talent emerge in each season of Afghan Star and witness the cultivation and transition from a virtual unknown to a true Star.”
