Rhythm, melody and attan (dance) have shaped my identity from an early age. Discovering the Tabla at two years old became my greatest blessing, allowing me to tell stories through each strike and recitation. As Afghan refugees, our music and culture served as threads connecting us to our homeland. Since August 2021, music’s ban in Afghanistan underscores the need to showcase the beauty of our cultural heritage. Collaborating with scriptwriter Matthew Spangler in 2006, we prioritized amplifying the story through dynamic rhythms and melodies of Afghanistan. As Afghans in the diaspora, our language, poetry and rhythmic culture are more crucial than ever—a sentiment echoed in The Kite Runner.