Born into the war and civil unrest they belong to a generation that had only heard about peace but never really lived in it. They had probably known the existence of something called freedom and democracy but never really tasted it. The documentary looks at Afghanistan’s first live talent show “Afghan Star”

The documentary opens with a very touching song by a blind boy who tells that music is everything in this world and then another kid younger than him says a very profound statement “If there is no music in this world the world will be silent” This is the world where people are trying to hear the sound of music above the shattering noises of gunshots and bombs that had long filled every noise frequency in the land. In spite of fear of the Taliban religious rule enforcers even women come out and openly compete for Afghanistan’s highest Singing talent position, “The Afghan Star”

The documentary follows the Afghan star journey of four aspiring singers who compete for the final price of $5000 in the third season of Afghan Star

Twenty year old Hameed Sakhizada from Kabul who sang among many a beautiful rendition that is translated as
My Love is Hindu
But I am a Muslim
Because of my love I sweep the temple
Black Magic Man, Bring your Holy Water
And Make a Spell for me…….

Hameed now does perform various concerts outside Afghanistan. here is a video of his, you can find more of it on You tube by searching his name

Twenty Two year old Setara Hussainzada whose touching song for me was
The bend of your eyebrows is
like the sting of a scorpion
What can I do?
They belong to someone else……

As she is voted out she does her final stage performance and dances and does not bother when the scarf that covers her hair slides and exposes her hair. She gets death threats from the people after that but she continues her struggles and moving back to her town in Herat, she is under protection now and working on an album. It is still a tunnel for some, but somewhere the tunnel will end and all hope so. Here is the video of the participant I think truly deserves to be applauded, not for the dance, but for continuing with her conviction of music and dance.

Then there is nineteen year old Rafi Naabzada from Mazar-e-sharif who sang something that can be translated as
No one among these revelers
Knows what is going on in me
I am sad in my heart
But there’s a smile on my lips
Rafi went on to win the show and is also having his album and concerts abroad in many places. Here is a Video of his and more on Youtube

And finally the Twenty five 25 year old Lema Sahar from Kandahar who sang a song that can be translated as
Come my love
slowly on the roof
I have a tattoo on my chin
It is late afternoon…….

She was also voted out and when asked if she is crying (to increase the TRP probably) she says, I don’t cry, even if the knife is on my neck, I dare not cry. Such powerful characters who make us feel this world is for those who follow their passion. Here is a video of Lema’s song

I dedicate this post to those who have been living with music in their soul but forbidden to bring it out and color their lives. To the freedom for every human being to pursue their talents and passion.