Rahim Bakhsh

Rahim Bakhsh (Persian: رحيم بخش) commonly known as Ustad Rahim Bakhsh (Persian: استاد رحيم بخش) was an Ustad (maestro) of Hindustani classical music and also of native Persian Khurasani classical music culture from Afghanistan. He is also well-known and popular in a few neighboring countries.

He was born in Kharabat, a traditional part city of art in Kabul and was the creator of a new classical music in Afghanistan. With his work he represented the more than 4,500 years old Tajik culture of central Asia. He was counted as leading authorities of classical music in Afghanistan.

Like virtually all classical vocalists of Afghanistan, he belonged to the Patiala Gharana (gharana meaning a school or style of music) of Hindustani (see on Indo-Persian culture) classical music.

The Ustad (pers.: master) died in 2002. His last wish was to have his grave beside his teacher Ustad Qasim. Ustad Rahim Bakh's grave is located in Kabul on a place called Showda where every Friday night Sufis pray there. One of the best classic and ghazal singers of Afghanistan, Ustad Rahim Bakhsh travelled around the world for concerts and programs. Before he died, his last program was in the United States. He is remembered as one the greatest music legends of Afghanistan.