Omid's Tapes: The Afghan Memory Keeper

Based in California, Omid works with a team spread across the globe to find and save Afghan music, radio recordings, films, and TV shows from the past, seeking to preserve the identities and voices of those who have been displaced by war.

Fragments of a once-vibrant cultural heritage that the Taliban seeks to erase, these recordings are not just old tapes - they represent the memories, stories, and sounds of the Afghan people. Their significance goes beyond their musical and historical value - they are a lifeline to a lost world, a bridge between the past and future, and a testament to the resilience of Afghan culture.

Tamana Ayazi, Afghan journalist and Emmy-award-winning filmmaker (In Her Hands, Netflix), joins Omid and his team in their latest rescue mission, to secretly transfer two major collections of Afghan cassettes from Samangan and Kandahar, at opposite ends of the country, via perilous routes into Quetta Pakistan, and finally to Omid in the United States.

Will the tapes - and the people who carry them - make it safely across Afghan security checkpoints and pass through US customs?

Presenter and Director: Tamana Ayazi
Producers: Tamana Ayazi and Meera Kumar
Executive Producer: Charlotte Melén
Sound Design and Mixing: Jeff Emtman
Contributors: Omid, Quetta Mama, Lahore Mama
Quetta Mama's voice: Shuja Noori

An Almost Tangible production for Radio 4

Includes short music excerpts from:
Fawad Ramez - Na Rahat Az Falak
Farid Samim Zolfakayat and Rafti Tu - فرید صمیم - زلفكايت و رفته تو
Rohullah Roheen - Hala Ke Baharam
Wahid Saberi - Dil Tangam
Zahir Howaida - Emshab (امشب)
Nashenas - Zi Pur Lwaru Ghrunu Laila
Yulduz Usmonova - Эрон Халқ Қўшиғи (“Iran People’s Song”)
Farhad Darya (Freedy Rivers) - Baaz Amada
Unknown Artist - Dā də bātorāno kor (Taliban anthem of Afghanistan)
Khosh Naseeb janan - Pashto must Nazam
Unknown Artist - یو لښکر د عمر
Ahmad Zahir - Gole Sangam
Ahmad Zahir - Shaadi Kunaid Ay Dostaan
Ahmad Zahir - Tanha Shudam Tanha
Ustad Mahwash - Dokhtare Kochi Astom