Popular Afghan Singer Killed in Vancouver

Tuesday, May 10 2005 @ 12:11 PM EDT

Vancouver, Canada - Police sources in Vancouver reported that popular Afghan singer Nasrat Parsa was found injured outside his hotel in East Vancouver after a concert. Constable Tim Fanning said three men approached Parsa after a performance on May 7. One of them punched Parsa, who then fell backwards on concrete stairs.

Parsa, who was 36, was taken to Vancouver General Hospital, where he died on Sunday night of a head injury. The police mentioned that the cause of the assault was not clear yet and that it was likely that Parsa did not know his attackers. Witnesses told local media reporters that Parsa thought they were fans asking for an autograph.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and was initially charged with aggravated assault. Police have recommended that the charge be upgraded to manslaughter.

Parsa was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and lived in Germany. He studied with Ustad Mohammed Houssein Sarahang and his son Eltaf Houssein, who were also family friends. At age 12, Parsa moved with his family to Pakistan and later to India. In Delhi, Parsa attended the school of music under the guidance of Pandit Daish Pandi. Also in India, Parsa got private teachings from Ustad Monawar Ali Khan.

Til (2004) was the last album by Parsa, produced by Said Hakim Sepas in Germany. Unlike previous albums, it contains primarily Ghazals (an ancient Persian form of verse).

For more information about Nasrat Parsa, visit the artist's web site at http://www.nasratparsamusic.com.

World Music Central
http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050510101108920