Naghma (singer)

Early years

Naghma stated in a 2019 interview on Mashriq TV that she was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Her exact birthplace and date of birth are not reported. She was the eldest daughter in a family of five boys and three girls, and was given the nickname Šaperai (). Her father was Sayed Suleiman Shah, a Farsiwan from Deh Sabz District of Kabul Province. Her mother Bibi Mashala was a Pashtun from Kandahar. Both of Afghanistan's major languages were spoken in their house. Her father died when Naghma was five years old, all of her brothers were killed serving in the army and one of her sisters was killed in Kabul. As a young girl, she developed an interest in music since elementary school in Kandahar. At the age of around sixteen years, she moved to Kabul with her paternal uncle and continued her secondary education at Rabia Balkhi Lece, where she began performing as a vocalist in a girl's band. This was around the time of the April Revolution of 1978, when the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan took control of Kabul and other parts of the country.

Career

A year before finishing high school she married Mangal, an already popular Afghan singer from Laghman Province. They were instant celebrities, recording hits that are famous to this day. Her early songs were based on southern Afghan music, most of which were folkloric in nature. She additionally sang a song for the Afghan Air Force and Air Defense, titled "Lalaya Hawabaza (Beloved Pilot) in which she stood in the cabin of an Afghan Mil Mi-8.

She and the family left Afghanistan to take residence in India for about two years and from there to Dubai in the UAE. After staying there for two years, the family proceeded to Pakistan. There, they became very successful with an enthusiastic crowd of Afghan exiles who were nostalgic for their native music. Her financial situation by this time had improved significantly. In 2000, the family immigrated to the United States as refugees. Naghma and Mangal connected with the Afghan-American community of Northern California.

In March 2014, she became the first Afghan to receive the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and the Pride of Performance, the highest Pakistani Presidential Awards handed to artists, sportsmen, scientists and writers. It was a proud moment for Naghma who has always been a strong voice for the Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Naghma encourages Afghan refugees to try and go back to Afghanistan through her aid work and music to rebuild the country.

Personal life

Naghma and Mangal divorced in 2006 and later she married the son of Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi of Logar Province. They also broke off the marriage. Naghma has four children, they are Anwar, Khyber, Lima and Madina.

Discography

She has recorded over 500 songs in a period of 32 years in Afghanistan, Pakistan and also in the United States. This list is incomplete

Album: Bachi Hamsaya

• • Bachi Hamsaya *
• • Aros *
• • O Bacha *
• • Maida Maida *
• • Nazi Jan *
• • Ba Yin Sazi Mahali *
• • Ghataghani *
• • Shekesta Chelamey*
• • Imroz *
• • Tu Ra Meparastam *
• • O Dilbar Janim *
• • O Bacha *
• • Jama Narinje *

Album: Best of Naghma

• • Charsi Halika Stargi *
• • Janana ke Pashton *
• • Halka Daroghjan Mee *
• • Raghlay Yama Damor *
• • Za Ba Gidi Rawdim *
• • Chita Che Zi Mat *
• • Raza Da Zandgi Sra *
• • Yara Rana Wrak Nashi *
• • Janana Rasha Da Shamali *
• • Hagha Sra Oshan *
• • Allah Wi Zamazda *

Album: Kabul Nazaneen

• • Salam Afghanistan *
• • Delbar Jan *
• • Ghataghani *
• • Yaram Nest *
• • Darbigeri *
• • O Dilbar Janam *
• • Nazi Jan *
• • O Bachi Afghan *
• • Maida Maida Baran *
• • Em Roz Che Roz Ast *

Album: O Khoda Jan

• • Az America Wa Alman *
• • O Khuda Jan *
• • Sharshara Baran *
• • Shab Amadam *
• • Bebe Roko Jan *
• • Kashki Ma *
• • Man Dokhtari Sherazam *
• • Mara Az Ashiqi Bas *
• • Mohabat *
• • Pesta Forosh *

Popular Singles:

• • Mazdigar De Ka Nade *
• • O Bacha Jane Bacha *
• • Lalaya Hawa Baza *
• • Kandahar Halika *
• • Adam Khana Charsi *
• • Mohabbat *
• • Mohabbat (Slow Version) *
• • Lalo Lalo *
• • Mala Chal Ne Razi *
• • Akh Janan Me Laro *
• • Zma Afghanistana*
• • Loya Khudaya *
• • Orbal Chapa Kra Bya Rasta *
• • Akhshe na ni na (Attan De Gada Da)*
• • Mubarak Di Sha Akhtar *
• • Lalai de *
• • Dilbar Zalim Zalim *
• • Wa Grana *
• • Nor e Newranawo *
• • Ay Da Watan Da Abay Roka Zoya *
• • Afghani Mashoma *

;Contributing artist

• The Rough Guide to the Music of Afghanistan, 2010

References

References

1. {{YouTube. vF5C0kk_RjY. Naghma New Interview with Mashriq TV (14 Apr 2019) (@3:10)
2. (26 October 2025). "A Popular Afghan Singer Challenges the Taliban With Song".
3. {{YouTube. jopFbAF9btY. Hafiz Mohammadi with Naghma – Special Show (4 Dec 2022) (@12:58)
4. {{YouTube. vF5C0kk_RjY. Naghma New Interview with Mashriq TV (14 Apr 2019) (@3:40)
5. Eagle of Afghanistan. (6 March 2011). "Naghma Lalaya hawa baza".
6. {{YouTube. vF5C0kk_RjY. Naghma New Interview with Mashriq TV (14 Apr 2019) (@41:40)
7. (22 August 2021). "10 Afghan musicians you need to hear: from Ahmad Zahir and Mahwash to Kabul Dreams".
8. {{YouTube. _7INPxWqBF0. Naghma talks about her marriage life (VOA Pashto, 21 March 2017) (@1:15)
9. {{YouTube. vF5C0kk_RjY. Naghma New Interview with Mashriq TV (14 Apr 2019) (@8:00)