Homayoun’s personal story illustrates the extraordinarily challenging conditions he endured in pursuing his art. During Afghanistan’s, many years of armed conflict, when music was controlled, censored, and finally, banned altogether, the classical rhubâb style to which he had devoted his career not only survived but reached new creative heights. His performance style has been shaped not only by the musical traditions to which Afghan music is geographically and historically linked, but by his lively interest in contemporary music from around the world.