Reports noted mixed social media reactions to Darya’s initiative to construct emergency homes

Farhad Darya's music is characterized by his soulful voice, poetic lyrics, and eclectic blend of traditional and modern styles. He draws inspiration from Afghan classical music, as well as Western genres such as rock, pop, and jazz. Darya's music often features traditional Afghan instruments, such as the tabla, tar, and setar, which add a unique cultural flavor to his compositions. His songs have been influenced by famous poets and writers, including Rumi, Hafez, and Omar Khayyam.

In 1982, he founded the iconic Rain Band ( Goroh-e-Baran ), which revolutionized the Afghan scene by introducing a "new wave" sound that blended urban pop with rural folk styles.

Following the fall of Kabul in August 2021, Darya remained in the country for several weeks, helping evacuate musicians and their families. He eventually relocated to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where he continues to run a virtual academy for Afghan female vocalists (a direct defiance of Taliban decrees banning women’s voices in public).

However, Darya’s return was not without controversy. He became fiercely critical of the warlords who returned to parliament, the corruption of the post-2002 government, and the rising influence of Pakistan’s ISI. He sang "Bayad, Bayad ke Baran" (It Must Rain), a political critique that many newspapers called “dangerously honest.”

His songs, such as "Salamalek" and those featuring poignant lyrics like "Tarsam Ke Safar Kuny" (I fear that you will travel away), resonate deeply with the collective Afghan experience. The Artist as an Activist