“Roshnak” is the first-ever Afghan santur learning book.

This book is not just a collection of music; it is a cultural preservation project aimed at protecting Afghan musical heritage and making it accessible to all Afghans, regardless of age, gender, or location.

The situation in Afghanistan has drastically deteriorated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, resulting in widespread oppression, particularly against cultural expressions such as music.

As an Afghan santur teacher and composer, Ebrahim Mohammadi has dedicated his life to preserving and revitalising Afghan music. His journey as a santur teacher reached a significant milestone at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), where he taught Afghan boys and girls, sharing the rich traditions of our music with the next generation.

The santur, once integral to Afghan music, had nearly disappeared from the cultural landscape, when ANIM hired Ebrahim to revive its significance and reintroduce it into the heart of Afghan music.

The Taliban’s efforts to stifle Afghan culture, particularly music, make this project even more significant. Under their regime, music is banned, musicians are persecuted, and the rich musical traditions of Afghanistan are under threat of erasure. The loss of these traditions would be an immeasurable tragedy, as they hold deep cultural and historical significance, having been passed down orally for centuries. Most importantly, there are no existing music notes in Afghanistan, making the preservation of these melodies even more urgent.

After fleeing the Taliban and resettling in Portugal, Ebrahim found himself able to prioritise music again.