Farhad Darya, Valy Hedjazi, Aryana Sayeed, and Shabana Meheryar Headline Star Performers at the 7th Annual ATN Awards to be held in Delhi in January 2013; Celebration To Raise Awareness and Educational Funds for Young Afghan Women

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Some of the world's most famous Afghan musicians and performers from around the world will gather on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the spectacular Kingdom of Dreams in Delhi, India to celebrate Ariana Television Network's 7(th) Annual ATN® Awards 2012. The ATN Awards, the only Afghan Awards show of its kind, recognize and celebrate Afghan music and performing arts while encouraging unity among the global Afghan community through the preservation of Afghanistan's cultural heritage. This year, in association with the Bayat Foundation, the artists will help raise awareness of the educational needs of young Afghan women.

With Mr. Asad Badie returning to host the event for the third time, the ATN Awards will feature thirteen categories including Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Song, Best New Male Artist, Best New Female Artist, Best Ghazal, Best Duet Song, Best Mahali Artist, Best Lyrics, Best Video, Best Patriotic Song, Best Sofie-Taswwufi Singer, a new category for the youngsters of Afghanistan, the Best Rap song, and a special Lifetime Achievement Award.

Among the male singers nominated and expected to attend, ATN will welcome Farhad Darya, Qais Ulfat, Valy Hedjazi, Latif Nangarhari, and Jawid Sharif. Talented women nominees include Aryana Sayeed and Naghma. A full list of those artists nominated and expected to attend can be found at www.atnawards.com. A number of Indian stars and celebrities such as the famous Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas will join the celebration as well, as will Zeenat Aman, a leading Bollywood actress in the 1970s and 1980s, and Prem Chopra, a veteran Bollywood actor of more than 320 films.

According to Ehsan Bayat, Chairman of the Ariana Television Network, "The ATN Awards honor the most popular Afghan artists and most exciting contributions to Afghanistan's cultural development over the past twelve months. The nominated artists and special guests are part of a growing group of cultural ambassadors and global entertainers who have worked tirelessly to elevate Afghan values in the creation of vibrant and authentic music, and have helped make the Awards show the most widely viewed award ceremony for Afghans in Afghanistan and around the world."