Ustad Mahwash Archive Inaugurated at Stanford University
Stanford, California – The Ustad Mahwash Archive has officially been inaugurated at Stanford University, preserving a rich collection of her songs, CDs, awards, handwritten notes, and speeches. This archive will now be housed in Stanford’s prestigious library, providing researchers and future generations with access to the legendary Afghan singer’s legacy.
A special ceremony marking the launch of the archive and celebrating Ustad Mahwash’s contributions to music was organized by Stanford’s Center for South Asian Studies. The event was attended by dozens of Afghan immigrants residing in California, members of Ustad Mahwash’s family, and university officials.
Stanford University, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is ranked as the second-best university in the United States and the third-best globally.
A Lasting Legacy for Future Generations
During the ceremony, Stanford University honored Ustad Mahwash with a certificate of appreciation, recognizing her lifelong dedication and outstanding contributions to Afghan music.
Ryan Perkins, Curator of South Asian and Islamic Studies at Stanford, stated that the main objective of creating the Ustad Mahwash Archive is to document her life and artistic contributions for researchers and future generations. He emphasized that due to the importance and influence of Mahwash’s work, the university decided to preserve her legacy in its archives.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mojgan Masoumi, a researcher at Stanford who played a key role in establishing the archive, highlighted Mahwash’s inspirational journey, calling her an iconic role model for today’s generation.
In the main segment of the program, Ustad Mahwash engaged in a conversation with veteran Afghan journalist Fareeda Anwari, sharing her remarkable life story filled with struggles and triumphs. This personal narrative is now set to become an integral part of the archive at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
At the event, Ustad Mahwash expressed deep gratitude to her husband, Farooq Naqshbandi, for his unwavering support throughout her musical career. She acknowledged his encouragement and credited him as a pivotal figure behind her success.
“For me, it is a great honor that my artistic work is now preserved at one of America’s finest universities,” Mahwash said, adding that she hopes this opportunity will pave the way for other Afghan artists to be recognized on an international stage.
Golali Fareeda Mahwash, known by her stage name Mahwash, is the only Afghan woman to have been awarded the honorary title of Ustad (Master) in music. This prestigious title was conferred upon her by former Afghan President Sardar Mohammad Daoud Khan after her iconic performance of the song “Oh Bacha.” Mahwash trained professionally in Kabul’s historic Kharabat district under Ustad Sarahang, one of Afghanistan’s most revered classical musicians.
After 56 years in the music industry, Mahwash announced her retirement last year. Throughout her career, she recorded more than 1,500 songs and won numerous international awards, all of which will now be preserved in Stanford University’s archive.
For many years, Ustad Mahwash has been living with her family in the East Bay Area of San Francisco, California.
