Today marks the birth anniversary of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan also known as ‘Shehanshaah-e-Qawali‘! Khan is a legacy of evergreen Sufi classic songs. His songs and qawali are nothing less than a precious memory of emotions & super soulful renditions for so many people. In honour of his birthday, let’s recall the songs and pick your favorite from them!
There are so many NFAK fans who want to know each and every bit about the life of the Ustad. He is the one who introduced Qawali to the modern world nationally and internationally.
Here’s More To Know About The Maestro Who Reigned Supreme In The Sufi Music World …
One interesting thing many people don’t know is that his first performance was at the funeral of his father in 1964. He released his albums internationally in the US, Europe, India, Japan, and Pakistan, etc. In the 1980s, Oriental Start Agencies, England endorsed Ustad. His music has such a distinctive flavor that many Bollywood movies could not resist using it as well.
After his father’s death, Nusrat continued to study and practice till he soon became well known & hugely popular throughout Pakistan.
He first performed in the United Kingdom in 1985 and in the USA in 1989. Nusrat Fateh Ali worked with many international musical figures including Peter Gabriel, who promoted his music on international record labels and festivals (Britannica). He has lent his voice to several film musical scores as well. He was one of the most vocally powerful singers in the world who had the stamina to render melodious classical numbers for hours on end. Over the years, he gave us multiple classic compositions that inspire the audiences young and old, to date.
Music Lovers & Fans Have Been Paying Tribute To The Ustad On His Birthday!
We Give You 5 Classics From The Maestro That We Remember Him With
1) Tumhain Dillagi
Khan composed this iconic song originally. Multiple versions of this song are available today. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan composed one for a Bollywood music video. There are a number of re-creations but none can match the original version by the legend.
2) Afreen Afreen
When it comes to the iconic compositions rendered by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali, Afreen Afreen is one of the most loved ones. Ustad originally released the song in 1996. Coke Studio recently remade the song and sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan in Coke Studio (Season 9). Every qawali of ustad hits differently to the listeners.
3) Mere Rashke Qamar
Fana Buland Sehri wrote the song originally. Nusrat Sahib sang it in 1998. Rashke Qamar was performed at many concerts which made it more popular. The song was then recreated by Bollywood in 2017 in ‘Baadshaho’ movie.
4) Sanu Ik Pal Chain
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan performed this song in his Mehfil-e-Sama concert in 1993. While it has been recreated by Bollywood in 2018 by Ajay Devgan and Ileana D’cruz Movie ‘Raid’. Even the re-created version was sung by Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan though many say it was not as impactful as the original.
5) Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor
This classic is a love song that made a mark in everyone’s heart. Pakistani singer Farhan Saeed recreated the song in 2014. In 2016, the version was made by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in a Bollywood music video featuring ‘Ayushmann Khurana. While Bollywood also made another version of the song in 2018 in the movie ‘Fanney Khan’ on Aishwarya Rai.
The king of Qawalis has a huge fanbase not only in Pakistan but all around the world. Happy Birthday to the Legend of a monumental music legacy!
