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Remembering Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
by: Goher Iqbal Punn on Nov 25 2002 12:00AM in Indology

Some people are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. With Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan it had only been the first two. This legendary singer was born on 13 October 1948 in Lyallpur (later renamed Faisalabad), Pakistan.

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was one of the greatest Qawwals (Sufi singers) ever been on this earth. One of the most popular singers in the Indian sub-continent, Khan predominately sang Qawwali*, the music of devotional Sufism, but incorporated other forms including Khyal (traditional classical) to produce a unique style that appealed to followers of all religions. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a genius singer of Qawwali. Like no other, Nusrat’s performances transcend religious boundaries and his music caresses the soul with its passion. (more…)

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The art of the qawwali isn’t just to transport himself to ecstasy with his music, but also those around him, and listeners. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan did it better than most, and there’s no denying he was one of the great voices of the 20th century.

Since his death, recordings have come out of the woodwork, many of them made just before his death. Body and Soul is another of them, taped in his native Lahore, and carefully restored at Real World studios. What’s interesting about these tracks is while Khan himself is front and center, he acts more as director and inspiration than the one taking all the vocal solos — when he does improvise, it tends to be in short bursts. (more…)

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Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948-1997)
Date of Issue (August 16, 1999)

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Although a qawal (mystic singer), Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan can truly be described as one of the greatest musical prodigies of our times. He is the pioneer of an individualistic style which blended classical music with contemporary music. Since his debut in 1965 he distinguished himself as a great qawal. He was also famous for his unparalleled repertoire.

He was awarded the President’s Pride of Performance in 1987. His performance at the World Music arts and Dance festival in London in 1985 and his concerts in Paris 1985 and 1988 were received with great enthusiasm. His various appearances and concerts in Japan steadily increased number of his fans in this country.

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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Khan was one of the most popular singers in the Indian subcontinent. He predominantly sang qawwali, the music of devotional Sufism, but incorporated other forms including Khyal (traditional classical) to produce a unique style that appealed to followers of all religions. He performed with the Party, a group of highly trained Pakistani musicians which included several family members.

In 1971, Khan took over from his father (Ustad Fateh Ali Khan) as leader of the Party. Through the 1970s and 1980s Khan’s music began to become increasingly synonymous with India’s and Pakistan’s dynamic film industry. Peter Gabriel’s admiration of Nusrat’s singing has led to his collaboration with WOMAD on projects including a compilation album, several festival appearances and more recently releases on the Virgin /Real World Records label, recorded in England. (more…)

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