Her robust, luminous voice with its subtle command of ornamentation has dazzled audiences worldwide, as she shares her country's rich musical heritage through performances and recordings.
Mahwash went on to study with the renowned Afghan singer Ustad Hussain Khan Sarahang, who guided her through her meteoric rise as a radio star.
When Mahwash learned this complex piece and recorded it in a single day, she was given the title of Ustad—or "master" in 1977—a controversial move as, until that point, this was an honour reserved only for men.
Worn and exhausted, she applied for asylum abroad, and, eventually, her plight was recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] (UNHCR).
This group performed at some of the most prestigious concert halls in Europe and revealed to sophisticated audiences a hitherto unknown world of uniquely beautiful music.
Later that year, Mahwash received a prestigious BBC Radio 3 World Music Award both for her artistic excellence and for her work in speaking on behalf of thousands of orphaned Afghan children.
This collaboration debuted in June 2012 under the direction of music producer and composer Dawn Elder, who created this group with Mawash and Homayoun.