Trip to Faisalabad
During my short trip to Pakistan in January 2006, I got a tip from Arfat Malik, a Nusratforver team member from Libya to check Nusrat’s collection at a shop in Faisalabad.
Shopping at Aminpoor Bazaar:
The Rahmat Gramophone House (RGH) is a well known shop in Faisalabad and I had no trouble getting its address. The shop is located at Aminpoor Bazar, which is one of the eight roads that collapse at the clock tower (Ghanta Ghar) like an octopus.
After getting to the main shop, that had an old Gramophone sitting at the display, I was told that they only sell audio cassettes and they have a second shop a few meters away, that sells the CDs and DVDs. After buying the entire Qawwali collection produced by RGH from their next shop, I came to know that they also have a big collection of Ghazals and Geets that were also produced by RGH. I also saw a huge number of CDs that were produced by other companies. I was also disappointed after learning that the entire Qawwali recordings at RGH is not complete, since lots of albums are only available in cassettes at their other shop and they were not sure if they will ever be available in CD format.
As I was interested in knowing more about the recordings, I got their studio address where most of Nusrat albums were recorded.
RGH Studio:
The studio is located far from the central congested business area on Jaranwala Road. I found the studio with very little trouble, which is located behind an acid factory, at street number 8 in Nemat Colony, around 10 minutes drive from the D-ground.
As I arrived at the studio, there was recording session going on for sad mersiaas, that is widely listened during the month of Moharram by the Shia Muslims. As the recording finished, I had a quick chat with some of the guys there, including a tabla player who used to play in Ghazals with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and a young fellow who plays with Rahat.
I later sat down with the studio engineer and got to know a few things about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I also had some technical discussions about their studio and the recording techniques.
As per Mian Sahib, the owner and the engineer of studio, they have recorded more than 100 albums containing Qawwalis, Ghazals and Geets of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He also told me various technical stuff related with clean multi-track qawwali recordings.
Mian sahib has taken many professional recording trainings at various institutes in the UK. The studio was equiped with much more equipment than I expected, including Alesis 24 track HD recorder, TC Electronics Finalizer compressor, Lexicon delay/effect unit and several Neumann microphones. I learned that most of Nusrat’s work was recorded on analog multi-track tapes and the treasure is stored at their studio.
Biggest News for Nusrat Lovers:
As we were discussing about Nusrat’s recordings, my heart missed a beat when Mian Sahib told me that some of Nusrat’s recordings were recorded here but never got published. My heart missed a few more beats as he told me that Peter Gabriel had borrowed 6 spools and he was working on its music.
I almost jumped when he told me that Peter has already completed some work and has sent 4 demo CDs to RGH. It was one of my luckiest day when Mian Sahib offered to play some portion of Nusrat’s unreleased material with Peter’s music in the background.
I was blown out of window as I heard the highest ever quality of voice from heaven along with thick pads and sub bass. The high tech studio enviroment with excellent speakers multipled the actual feel of the song. I had never listened to that song in the past, which confirms that some of Nusrat’s work is still unreleased. The most exciting thing is that it will be released with the highest quality of music with mutli-layer synthesizers and 24 bit massive sample libraries, which were not possible during Nusrat’s time.
I could not find any information about those albums on internet and I am not sure when its going to be released by Peter Gabriel.
Nusrat’ House:
I was surprised to know that the house next to the studio belonged to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and the piece of land was gifted by RGH to Nusrat after huge success of one of his albums. Nusrat stayed in this house during a long period of his music career before moving to Lahore. This also explains how Nusrat acheived the world record, since he was almost living at the studio, recording music all the time. I also learned that Rahat was living in Faisalabad at Medina Town.
I later spent some time helping Mian Sahib establish a network between his Alesis ADAT recorder and his computer for visual wave editing.
I finally took some pics of the studio and Nusrat’s home and headed back towards the motorway.
Talha - Nusratforever Team member
Great. Fantastic! I just can’t wait for Peter’s album to release.
Fantastic! Thats an awesome trip you made and im very much interested in the unreleased work too. Peter Gabriel You GO! I’ll be anticipating the new releases. Imagine listening to those in DVD-Audio quality. Full 24bit.
Great job Talha. Post more info on the music library you managed to grab. Were there any unique gems in it not found in any other label than this shop you bought them from? I think im gonna visit this place too when i get back to pak. I had been contemplating a visit to Nusrat’s grave for reading Fatiah (and only reading Fatiah). Perhaps we can have a NusratForever.com member meet in Faisalabad next year or at the end of this year.
Awaiting your response.
Hi Saadu,
Thanks for your wonderful comments. I have surely bought some material that I have not listened before and not sure if you guys have experienced it. I will be making it available for Nusrat lovers and will definately put something every week.
I am also preparing a user guide, by help of which everyone should be able to post their collection by themselves.
Talha
Hi Yaar,
This is a fantastic update, I too was in faislabad but unfortunately didn’t get time to visit his grave. Also there was some confusion amongst my Uncles as to where he and his brother are burried.
This post is excellent and news of ANY new material fantastic. Keep up the good work!
regards
Mohsin
Hi Mohsin,
Nusrat’s grave is on Jhang Road and its on the main road that goes from the ghanta ghar area towards the airport. Its a large graveyard on the left side while going towards airport, around 10-15 minutes drive from ghanta ghar. Once you enter the huge graveyard, you will find all his family graves just few meters from the entrance.
God Bless Him.
Talha
Hi Everyone…
i am in india…and i want to visit pakistan only and only for the music of nusrat….(and the food obiously) it would be amazing if u could post some songs that u got on this website….am really a big fan…fav song being…jitne bhi jakhm hain mere dil par….have u guys heard that
Hello again, everyone. For some reason, I found out only quite recently that Nusrat’s younger brother, Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, passed away about 2 1/2 years ago (September 9, 2003)! I don’t know why I didn’t hear about this before, since I met him a number of times at Nusrat’s and Rahat’s concerts. I would have sent Rahat a card or something if I’d known of his father’s death sooner. I can’t find anything online about this at all. I got the word from the liner notes of a CD I just bought; it was a bit of a shock.
The last time I saw Farrukh, at a concert in Shoreline Community College north of Seattle, I noticed that he didn’t look completely well; but I couldn’t tell by looking what exactly was wrong with him. Apparently, he’d been struggling with diabetes for quite a while like Nusrat did before him. I believe he was only about 51 when he died, still relatively young and in good voice.
May God rest his soul in peace; may he and Nusrat be joyously reunited, and may they raise Heaven’s roof with their favorite songs!!
–Karen in Seattle
Please can you tell me what the song Jhoole Jhoole Laal is about. Was Jhoole Laal a Sindhi? Did Nusrat have any Sindhi connections?
Thanks, Marcus
ps. just found your site - outstanding.
pps. can you recommend good sites to find Nusrat DVDs, and do you know where Rahat is currently, whether he will be performing this year?
Dear Marcus,
Jhoole Lal – A saint from Sindh who as a child was always found on a swing reciting the name of God. Shahbaaz Qalander (Red Falcon) another Sufi Fakir renowned for amazing poetry in love for God.
Peace.
Arfat Malik.
Dear Arfat,
Thank you for your reply. So was Jhoole Lal a Muslim Saint from Sindh and not a Hindu Sindhi?
Also does anyone know which OSA DVD the clip is from of Nusrat in Birminham. Is it vol 2?
Which is the most energetic Nusrat DVD, where the audience truly gets into the concert, and not just sitting back like some DVDs shot in London where everyone is somewhat reserved.
Cheers,
Marcus
Dear Arfat,
I listen to all qawwals. I have over 1000 audio cassettes of qawwalis from pakistan and india. When I listen to qawwalis, it makes my soul dance.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is the Master of all Qawwals. This is a gigt from Allah. I want to know if you heard a qawwali called: Quran Hai Goya Hoo Bahoo. This is a qawwali in praise of Prophet Mohammed(PBUH). Very nice qawwalis. If youy are looking for any qawwalis let me know.
Khuda Hafiz,
Sajad Qamar
Dear Marcus,
The clip u r talking about is from the OSA Recording, Birmingham Town Hall 1993 Vol 2 / Recorded at Birmingham Town Hall / 1993 Tour of UK.
Its very hard to tell how many concerts because Nusrat’s concerts are unlimited.
Peace,
Arfat Malik.
arfat@nusratforever.com
Dear Sajad Qamar,
That is amazing stuff you have more than 1000 …..Good.
I would like to ask you if you can send me the list of qawwali/other stuff of Nusrat Sahab to my email address shown below.
I would like to have this qawwali: Quran Hai Goya Hoo Bahoo.
Peace,
Arfat Malik.
arfat@nusratforever.com
Dear Arfat,
Please check your email. Qawwali takes place at Sufi Shrines every year. Sufi Saints have direct link with God and also the household of Prophet Mohammed(PBUH)and other Prophets.
Qawwali is the right path. If you look at Rumi and the Whirling Derwishes of Turkey. Sufi Music is unexplainable.
Peace,
Sajad Qamar
Salaam and Aadaab,
Im a huge fan of Khan Saab just like you are, and like yourself am trying my best to make a collection of as many of the jewels he recorded as possible. I would be so grateful if you could post contact details for RGH recording studios, a number… an address… ANYTHING that will allow me to get some of the material they have. Jazaak Allah and thanks for your help.
Dear All,
I just bought the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan album, and was wondering what everyone though of it. Farukh Fateh Ali Khan is part of the Qawwali party, as it was recorded before his death in 2001. To be honest it hasnt totally captured my hopes. It’s quite raw and doesnt have the same technical flux as NFAK, the genious qualities of moving in and out of the music, feeling as if the songs change but then they keep coming back to awesome melodies, almost as if there are multiple songs occurring at the same time. I think that is how I appreciate NFAK, but like everyone I can never describe it. Finally I heartily recommend NFAK’s nephews Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali - definately strikes a chord.
Tell me your thoughts,
Marcus
Dear Marcus,
I listen to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal but he is not successful yet. Rizwan-Muazzam are very good. After Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal, I believe Faiz Ali Faiz Qawwal is a brilliant Qawwal. He has captured my heart, his voice is amazing. He came second in the World Music Award 2006. He can sing the Qawwalis by Nusrat Fateh Ali khan perfectly.
Peace,
Sajad Qamar
I hear When Nusrath Fateh Ali khan died in London while transferring his dead body to Pakistan, people have seen his tounge stretched out and wrapped his body or something like that, and its the grave punishement of singing songs. Is this true?
I have met the guys working at his graveyard and they have confirmed that nothing like this happened.
Talha
Dear sujad omar,
i think u r wrong RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN is the only person who can better sing NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN because nusrat is in RAHAT.i have many live performences of RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN u just watch that and then decied who is the best.RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN is totaly change now.he is just like nusrat fateh ali khan i know him he is a very good friend of mine and he says DONT COMPARE ANY ONE WITH KHAN SAHIB(nusrat fateh ali khan)even me because he was the best and thank god that i belongs to this family RAHAT,says that i have many songs which KHAN SAHIB could not record but i will record them in the memory of KHAN SAHIB.or rizwaan muazzum RAHAT BHAI se chotay hain or un ko nusrat fateh ali khan ki training nahin mili or who RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN k paas atte hain who RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN SAHIB KI IZZAT KARTAY HAIN kyon k NUSRAT khan ke baad RAHAT KHAN hai jansheen bhe or ustad bhe.RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN IS THE BEST
i think RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN is the best singer .you can not compare anybody with him hs is exelent singer and qwaal
if any one want to know about RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN contact us at
RAHAT.NUSRATFATEHALIKHAN@HOTMAIL.COM
RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN BEST HAI.koi uss ka muqablaa nahin kar suktaa rizzwaan muazum to RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN se chotay hain or RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN ko NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN ki training mili hai or wo bohut auchaa gatte hain RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN he NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN k jansheen honay k layak hain
Dear Rahat Fateh Ali Khan,
Do visit Boston.
We love to hear you.
You will keep Nusrat Fateh Ali Khansahib Alive.
This is a great website.
Rajendra
Dear Rahat,AS Salaamualaikum
I have been following KHANSAHIB from the age of five and
sorely miss him. I have been following you and need to know when you are going to be visiting South Africa.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Wasalaam
Iqram
hi sana,ilike most of nusrat quawwalies but i like too much
( Manghte Hain Karam Unka ).And the bad thing is that.its not available in nusratforever.com.so I hope it should be in this Website .
THANKS
naseem arif.
assalamualaykum,
brothers and sisters i would like to know if you have any detaiols of rahat nusrat fateh ali khan concerts and if he will be coming to the UK and when.
jazakallah
does anybody have any pictures of videos of nusrat’s funeral because i would love to see them, thanks.
umm..i was jus wondering that the late Nusrat fateh ali khan… wen he past away i heard that in his coffin..his whole tounge was rapped around his body an it came on the news is it true?
No it’s not true Aisha as it has been mentioned many times before,he sang in the praise of Allah, the prophet muhammad (s.a.w) and hazrat ali radiallahuanhu, and after doing alot of research on this i can guarantee you it’s not true.
May be RGH can put some of Khan sahib’s oldies online and put a nominal fee to access them.
i mean i am really serious about getting my hands onto each and every word ever sung by Khan sahib…
peace
He’s Not Dead. He’s ALive. He’ll Always Be.
aoa….!!!
welll…..thnks mr.talha….thtz much in4mative…!!!keep up the good wrk…!!
i like so nusrat voic so nic man n thse song (afren afren} and
i wishes ofr nusrat u hew feel muhc batare i preey for u for god.
aab ks sey kany our kon suny jo hall tumhary bad howa. is jhel se gahry ankhno mney ek khab bohat barbad howa..from …..ujala. us kay ley jo apny sewa sab kaley geja tha . weth love………n the garet acevment thes site n nusrat lavars. my bast wishes…….forever.com
meny to samgha tha k lot aty hney jany waly.. tony jakar to jodae mare qesmat kardi……mojh ko dusman k eradno pay bhi peyar ajata hey taer ulfat nay muhabat maery adat kar di…………………………………………………..
ankh barsy nam py tayry sawan ki tarha.tu samayadilmny mare dharkan ki tarha……… we vary much love……
mujhy mujzno py yaqeen nahi magar aarzo hay k jab qaza mujhy bazm-e-daher say ley caly to pher ek bar izn day k laehad say may luot kar aa sakno tary dar pay aa k sada may dno tyghy gamgusar ki ho talab to tery huzor may aa rahno aagar ye ho na saky to pher ek bar rahe suy aadam may rawna rahnu,( ek sadeed kuahis) to nusrat……..
( to, nusrat) door ho mugh say magar pas nazar aty ho, mera jazba mera ehesas nazar aty ho ,zendagi ban k jo chaya hay wo jadoo tm ho,tum mery pas nahi ho mughy is ka gam hay ,tum khayalno may to aay yahi kia kam hay . mare tanhai may tap ka hoa ansu tm ho,jab bhi tnhai may ahat si koi paty hno ,ye samagh k may hawanu say lepat jati hnuo,jesy kholy hoy mary liy bazo tum hoo,
Hi, i’m a fan off the Legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahib (May his soul rest in Peace) he is a legend and will always be a legend. i have nearly all off his collection on cassette, cd, dvd, vcd, and video he will always remain in our hearts. if you need any information on him email me aliyounisnet@hotmail.co.uk
GOD BLESS YOU
HI ALL ,
I AM BIG FAN OF NUSRAT & I WANT TO COLLECT EVERY SONG/ QWALLIES OF KHAN SAHIB EVEN IT WAS RECORDED OR YET TO BE RECORDED . IF ANY BODY HELP ME TO COLLECT ALL THIS NUSRAT SAHIB MEMORIES ,. I WILL BE GREATFUL TO THAT PERSON . EVEN I LIVED IN INDIA , I HAVE LOT OF COLLECTIONS BUT I MISSED FEW MEMORIES OF NUSRAT.
I ALSO LIKE RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN VERY MUCH . AFTER NUSRAT SAHIB, RAHAT IS ONLY SINGER WHO CAN TOUCH NUSRAT SAHIB IF ANY BODY HELP ME TO CONTACT RAHAT SAHIB I WILL THANKFUL TO THAT PERSON
My name is Riza Bukkus and I live in Cape Town South Africa. About three months ago I started a Fan club of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. We meet every three weeks and we share our dvd,s and cd’s with each other and we discuss his life and his style of music and how he started singing and also to where he took quwallie. There never was and there never will be another Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.Feel free to contact me as i have about 300 songs on cd of Khan Saab and i am willing to share it with you or nayone else that may be interested.my mobile number is 0027823572531 or my email is rizab@telkomsa.net
It will be my pleasure to share with you about the greatest musician that ever lived. may the memories of Khan saab live long after me and you.
Join us!
Online Qawwali Group of The Legend, The Pride of Pakistan, Shahenshah Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
http://groups.imeem.com/BlOCvePU,nusrat_fateh_ali_khan_group/
HM-NAIN (hmnain@yahoo.com)
Searching for song “Main too samjha tha lout aatay hai janay waley” if anyone of you can help, so contact at
oh man ! .. id lost deep into his qawwali ! he is the sufi supreme ! Nusrat for ever ..
AOA to All Khan sahib’s Lovers,
i m sohail from Redditch(uk).im very depressed when i got Alot of information of Khan sahib.he’s still in our hearts.i love every single member of khan sahib’s party but i mostly love with Faruukh ji and Dildar sahib. but sadly farrukh ji has passed away. May Allah bless on his soul.i’ve got one farrukh ji’s pic just before he PAssed away. if website team intrested i can mail you.plz can you tell me if i come to pakistan hoe do i get khan sahib and Farukkh ji’s grave.he will ramain in our hearts. and i know mostly members of Party ha died like Asad sahib(chorus),Irshad sahib(Harm)and Rehmat ali(Harm)are very sick now days.MAy Bless on All.
plz can you Post Recent Pics of Party members Incld. Grave’s Pics.
Thnx Alot
HI I AM JASVIR SINGH FROM VILL. GOHIR ,TEH NAKODER , DISST JALANDHAR . WHAT I CAN SAY ABOUT THIS GREAT PERSONALITY. I DON,T HAVE ANY WORD TO DEFINE HIM. SOMETIME I FEEL THAT I SHOUD HAD COME TO THIS EARTH BEFORE HIS DEATH THAT I MAY GOT A CHANCE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE HIM ATLEAST ONCE IN MY LIFE .BUT I WOULD HAVE TO SATISFIED WITH HIS VOICE WHICH IS IN MY HEART. I PAY OBSENCE FOR HIM . I ALWAYS CALL HIM “NUSRAT SAHIB”.
if anyone has the following qawwal:
Quran Hai Goya Hoo Bahoo
could you please email me? i lost the qawaal when my computer crashed and have been looking for it online/at stores/through family for quite some time. if anyone has it, could you please contact me!! mbilalshamsi@yahoo.com