Qamar Gula

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Qamar Gula

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang = ps

| birth_date = {{birth date|1952|1|21|df=y}}

| birth_place = Nangarhar, Afghanistan

| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|12|9|1952|1|21|df=y}}

| death_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada

| genre = Pop
Classical Music
Ghazals

| occupation = Afghan musician

| years_active = 1970–2022

| label = Various

}}

Qamar Gula ({{Langx|ps|قمر ګله}}; {{langx|fa|قمر گل}}, {{Transliteration|fa|Qamar Gul}}; 21 January 1952 – 9 December 2022) was an Afghan Canadian musician, who has been credited with being the second female Pashto language singer (after Rukhshana) to sing for the Radio Television Afghanistan. A veteran of Afghan music, she had a career that spanned nearly five decades.

Early life

Qamar Gula was born in Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan.{{cite news |title=قمرگل سرو همیشه سبز باغستان موسیقی افغانستان |url=http://www.farda.org/articles/10_updates/100200/poem_m_daro.htm |access-date=10 December 2022 |publisher=Farda}} She started singing at the age of seven or eight,{{cite news |url=https://www.radio.gov.pk/10-12-2022/renowned-pashto-singer-qamar-gula-passes-away |title=Renowned Pashto singer Qamar Gula passes away |publisher=Radio Pakistan |date=10 December 2022 |access-date=10 December 2022}} and due to wide audience appreciation she was encouraged to pursue it professionally.

Career

Gula's career reached its zenith when she married Mohammad Din Zakhil who composed many of her songs. By the early 1970s, she gained fame across Afghanistan and ranked among the top female singers of the country.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/pashto/news/story/2009/07/090728_mmn_s7qamargul-310709 |title= سندرغاړې قمر گل په اوومه سټوډيو کې |publisher=BBC |date=29 July 2009 |access-date=10 December 2022}} Her music was also heard by ethnic Pashtuns in Pakistan, particularly in what is now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.{{cite news |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1176577 |title=How Afghan musicians' departure from Pakistan is a loss for Pushtun culture |publisher=Dawn News |date=14 November 2016 |access-date=10 December 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1534873 |title=Afghan artists want govt to recognise their contribution |publisher=Dawn News |date=17 February 2020 |access-date=10 December 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://thenamal.com/entertainment/afghan-pashto-singer-qamar-gula-dies-in-canada/ |title=Afghan Pashto singer Qamar Gula dies in Canada |publisher=The Namal |date=10 December 2022 |access-date=10 December 2022}}

Gula’s music included compositions from Zakhil as well as other Afghan composers. Gula maintained her popularity among Afghans, particularly among the older generation who associated her music with the nostalgic times of Afghanistan before the civil war. Her voice was often referred to as “The Golden Voice” by the Afghan media. Over the years, she collaborated with various Afghan singers including Rukhshana in the 1970s, Gul Zaman in the 1980s, and in 2010s with Zarsanga, Waheed Qasemi, and Hangama.

Immigration to Canada

Gula immigrated to Canada due to the civil war in Afghanistan. She lived in the province of Ontario, where she continued her music career.

Death

Gula died of a prolonged illness on 9 December 2022, at the age of 70.{{cite news |title=Golden throat Afghan singer Qamar Gula passes away |url=https://pajhwok.com/2022/12/10/golden-throat-afghan-singer-qamar-gula-passes-away/ |work=Pajhwok Afghan News |date=10 December 2022 |access-date=10 December 2022}}{{cite news |title=Qamar Gula, a Popular Pashto Singer Dies in Canada |url=https://www.khaama.com/qamar-gula-a-popular-pashto-singer-dies-in-canada/ |work=Khaama Press |date=10 December 2022 |access-date=10 December 2022}} She left behind three sons and three daughters.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}