Zalmai Araa

Infobox Writer


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name = Zalmai Araa
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caption = زلمی آرا
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birthplace = Kabul, Afghanistan
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occupation = singer, comedian, comedy writer
nationality = Afghanistan
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Zalmai Araa (Persian:زلمی آرا) (also spelled as Zalmay Araa) is an Afghan singer and comedian. In recent years, his work as a comedian has eclipsed his fame as a singer. He currently lives in Fremont, California.

Background

Since the late 1990s when he arrived in the United States, he has toured around the world where he has given concerts in various cities. His performances are marked by singing, stand-up comedy shows and short comedic situations, all of which he carries without the aid of other participants. Often teaming with other singers, he has achieved renown around the world for his style of humor.

All his performances are nostalgic of his native Afghanistan. Initially, his jokes and comedic shows were full of humorous accounts and tales of people in Afghanistan. However, his recent work has focus on the problems and situations of exiled life for Americans that are originally from Afghanistan. He also uses sexual humor to entertain the audience.

He is noted particularly for mimicking voices of elderly women and men, adult men and women, teenage girls and children. He is commended for his portrayal of elderly women and also rejected, young men in pursuit of attractive girls.

Also he is an ethnic Afghan he uses often (only) in his concerts and performances Persian.

Personal life

In 2005, Zalmai married an Afghan girl and is now permanently settled in Fremont, California, hub of the exiled Afghan community of the United States. In 2007, he announced he plans to have children. According to some rumours he had or has also a homosexual relationship.

In 2005, Zalmai married an Afghan girl and is now permanently settled in Fremont, California, hub of the exiled Afghan community of the United States. In 2007, he announced he plans to have children.

Videos

* 1998: "Zalmai Araa" (DVD)
* 2004: "Live in Concert" (DVD)
* 2007: "Reyza Gul" (DVD, to be released)