Master Gadam Mohammad Heravi, one of the most famous Dotar player in Afghanistan, died at the age of 87 in his hometown of Herat.
According to the ECO Cultural Institute quoting Persian BBC of Herat, Master Gadam Mohammad Heravi, one of the most famous Dotar musicians in Afghanistan, died last night of a heart attack at the age of 87 in his hometown of Herat.
Herat's Head of Information and Culture, Arya Raoufian told BBC, "Master Gadam Mohammad was one of the few local music players in the country who had more than 50 years of productive activity. He introduced Dotar Herati to the world."
He added: "The name of Dotar Herati is associated with the name of Master Gadam Mohammad. He introduced Dotar Herati to the world and did not let Khorasani music be forgotten." He played the Dotar at several international festivals in Europe and the United States and was highly acclaimed.
The Herat Music Artists Union has named Master Gadam Mohammad Heravi as the latest figure in Herat folk music.
"Master Gadam Mohammad Heravi was one of the greatest musicians in Herat province. He worked hard for more than six decades in the field of folk music, especially Dotar. " Nematullah Hashemi, President of the Union, told BBC.
Master Gadam Mohammad Heravi was a student of Master Karim Heravi, known as the father of Dotar Herati.
"The name of Dutar Herat is tied to the names of these two masters." Hashemi added.
Dotar is an ancient musical instrument with a long history in parts of Afghanistan and Iran where it is played differently.