Listen to Master Musicians Toryalai Hashimi and Quraishi perform “Herati” at the ACS Anniversary Arts Festival

It was an honor to get to see these two giants of Afghan Classical music play a set together at the Cedar Cultural Center during our recent anniversary celebration. Toryalai and Quraishi have spent decades studying and perfecting their craft, each of them picking up their chosen instrument at an early age and swiftly advancing in skill and renown both within Afghanistan and globally.

Quraishi‘s body of work combines sensitive interpretations of classic Afghan folk songs as well as original compositions which reinterpret the rubab through a variety of influences. He has released several albums, played concert halls across the world, and composed music for film and live theater productions such as “Beyond the Mirror” and “The Kite Runner”

A self taught Tabla player, Toryalai’s early mastery of Mahali and Pashto music made him a sought after performer throughout Afghanistan even as a teen. By the time he came under the tutelage of Ustad Hashim (Considered to be one of Afghanistan’s greatest modern musicians and composers) he had performed in nearly every regional province in the country. Today, Toryalai tours the world performing and teaching the next generation of musicians.

“Herati” is a standard of Afghan classical music and is part of a regional folk music style originating in the Herat Province.