Farhad 'Darya' Nasher (Pashto/Persian: فرهاد دریا) (b. September 22, 1962, in Kabul, Afghanistan) is an Afghan American singer and composer, as well as a highly acclaimed music producer. Widely popular, he has earned affection for not only his music but also patriotism. He has fan base that stretches from his native Afghanistan to Central Asia, Iran, Pakistan, and extending to the West among the Afghans and Persians. Farhad sings in various languages including: Persian, Pashto, Uzbek, English and Hindi. Early years and personal life Farhad Darya was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, to a Pashtun father from Kunduz. Farhad's blood lineage can be traced to the Nasher Khans. Darya attended Sher Khan High School in Kunduz, which was named after his grandfather. He started his first band by the name of Nayestan, meaning Reed-bed. He later graduated from Habibia High School. After high school he enrolled in the Polytechnical University of Kabul and then subsequently in Kabul University. It was while attending Kabul University that Darya founded his first professional band, Goroh-e-Baran, meaning Rain Band. Initially it was to be called Halqahai Tilayee (Golden Rings) but the newcomers later settled on the former title. The band itself was not largely successful, due in part to its non-traditional music; however, it did acquaint the public with the faces of the member singers: Darya, Asad Badie, Mukhtar Majid and Jawid Rahie.Still involved in his music career, Darya continued his studies in college. During this time, he wrote music for other artists under the pseudonym Abr (Cloud). In 1988, Darya became a professor at the university and taught Western classical music for a year before leaving for Europe. After traveling through Prague and Hamburg, Darya arrived in Paris, where he would meet Sultana Emam. The two were married in 1993, and moved to the United States in 1995, where they still live in the state of Virginia.[citation needed] In 1996, they had a son, Hejran Darya. Career Up Until late 1980s During the 1980s, Darya's focus was his education and his singing profession did not materialize into an established career. Mainly involved with the Rain Band, he was only recognized merely as a single part of a whole group. However, after his emigration from Afghanistan and the dissolution of the group, he embarked on a solo career. 1990s to Present Since Farhad's television debut on Afghanistan's television network in 1980, he has released over two dozen albums-the acclaimed ones produced in exile, many of which deal with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the resulting misfortunes of the war-torn nation. Most of the music is aimed at helping the people of Afghanistan and bringing unity to his native country. His 2003 album Salam Afghanistan, specifically, deals with themes of national unity. These efforts have earned him much acclaim and the title of "Best Singer of the Year" in his country, and most recently in Copenhagen, Denmark. He has sung songs in various Afghan dialects, as well as in Uzbeki and Urdu. Darya started playing Afghan and Indian classical music since 1978. He intends to expand his knowledge in this domain as much as possible. Most of Darya's vocal exercises are in accordance with the rules of Afghan-Indo classical music. Release of his successful album "HA!" In 2008 Darya released his international CD HA!. According to Beerobar.com sources the CD has been a hit inside Afghanistan. The video of Nazdeek Shodan (Dohle Bezan) from his album HA was released on Afghanistan National Television, which was a hit among Afghans inside the country, and the afghan diaspora. Films Darya produced additional scoring and lyrics for Through Her Eyes a short film written and directed by Mithaq Kazimi. Darya produced background music for the film In Foreign Land (1998). Awards Afghanistan: Best Singer of the Year (2003) Denmark: Best Singer of the Year (2005)Farhad Darya is also working on a new movie with famous Afghan Actor named Masood Jan and the movie is in post-production[citation needed] Discography * Released in Afghanistan o Yaare Bewafaa (یار بی وفا) o Rahe Rafta (راه رفته) o Afghan Folk Music (محلي) o Zaro Jane (زارو جانه) o Baran (باران) o Ghazal (غزل) o Bolbole Awara (بلبل آواره) o Mazdeegar (مازديگر) o Bazme Ghazal (بزم غزل) o Mehrbaani (مهربانی) * Released Abroad o Begum Jan (بیگم جان) o Teri Soorat (तेरी सूरत تیرِی صورت) o Ateschparcha (آتش پرچه) o Afghanistan (افغانستان) o Live In San Francisco (كنسرت سانفرانسيسكو) o Shakar (شكر) o In Foreign Land (در سرزمين بيگانه) o Live In Europe (كنسرت اروپا) o Qabila-e-Ashiq (قبیلهء عاشق) o Golom Golom (گُلم گُلم) o Salaam Afghanistan (سلام افغانستان) o HA!( 2008 ) o Yahoo (2008)