Kabul School Helps Children Revive Afghan Musical Past [SLIDESHOW]

Children in Afghanistan's capital Kabul can now listen, learn and enjoy music, thanks to the only music school in the city.

Afghanistan National Institute of Music is believed to be the only music academy in the country. Music was banned during the Taliban rule in the country from 1996 to 2001 as rulers considered it as un-Islamic.

Now children in the school are trying to revive their musical legacy after the oppressive years under Taliban rule.

The governmnet has taken the initative to teach students both traditional as well as western genres in order to relieve the pains of decades of war through music.

"We are committed to build ruined lives through music, given its healing power," Ahmad Sarmast, head of the Institute, told Reuters.

Sarmast, who plays trumpet, set up the school in 2010 at the site of the School of Fine Arts' music department, which was closed down during the civil war (1992-96) after the Soviets left the country.

Things have changed after the fall of Taliban; now anyone can hear famous singer Ahmad Zahir's song and even Bollywood rhythms everywhere.

There are about 140 students enrolled in the school, some of them are orphans, but all of them have a passion for music despite all hardships, a flute teacher told the news agency.

Ever since the inception of the school, Sarmast made it a point to take in girl students. Taliban rule was particularly harsh on women who were even denied basic rights such as education.

British, Danish and German governments provide aid to this school. The institution also gets funds from the Afghan government.

"I was encouraged to come here and I am happy for it. I love playing," Fatima, a music student tells, Reuters.