Afghan Stars
BBC Radio 4 · BBC World Service · The Documentary · Art of Now
A TV Talent Show
In this two-part BBC Radio 4 documentary series, Sahar Zand explores the extraordinary role music has come to play in modern Afghanistan — as entertainment, cultural identity and an act of defiance in the face of extremist violence.
In Kabul for the finals of Afghan Star, she follows a television talent show at the forefront of efforts to keep music alive after years of Taliban rule, when it was banned. In the first programme, Sahar meets a singer targeted by extremists, speaks to a senior Taliban figure about the cultural conflict surrounding music, and follows the public vote as audiences choose between the two young finalists.
Afghan Star may resemble any other TV talent show, but its context is a war zone. Its studios are protected by bomb-proof gates and snipers, and participants arrive in armoured vehicles. Watched by millions across Afghanistan, the programme has helped drive a resurgence of music while promoting traditional Afghan sounds as a symbol of national identity. With peace talks raising the prospect of the Taliban returning to power, Afghan Star finds itself at the centre of a much wider struggle over culture, freedom and Afghanistan’s future.
May 2019 · The Art of Now · The Documentary
The Women’s Story
Afghan Star has been running for 14 years, but has never been won by a woman. This year, 18-year-old Zahra Elham is one of the two finalists — and a victory would mark a historic breakthrough for the country.
In the second of the two programmes, Sahar Zand meets Zahra, who has received death threats for singing on the show, and Afghanistan’s most famous female pop star, Aryana Sayeed, a judge in the competition who is constantly accompanied by an armed guard.
Sahar also visits the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, home to the Zohra Orchestra, Afghanistan’s first all-female orchestra, where young women are taught to play instruments in defiance of both conservative tradition and Taliban opposition — revealing the wider struggle over women, music and public life in Afghanistan.
May 2019 · The Art of Now · The Documentary
Three Years Later
Following the Taliban’s return to power, Sahar returned to the story in 2022, tracing the singers, musicians and broadcasters featured in the original series for a separately commissioned BBC World Service documentary. Listen to Afghan Stars Now →
Selected Press & Recognition
Pick of the Week — The Times · BBC Radio 4
Critics’ Choice — The Sunday Times · Daily Mail · The Independent · Church Times · Radio Times · The Guardian
Review — The Spectator
Featured — Songlines
Further Reporting — Radio 4 · From Our Own Correspondent
Interview — BBC Radio 4 Front Row
“Afghan Stars light up the BBC”
— Songlines“Inside the studio, though, all that is forgotten as music takes precedence.”
— The Spectator
Credits
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Sahar Zand
Reporter
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Roger Short
Producer