Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan A Living Legend

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Birth name	Pervez Fateh Ali Khan
Born	13 October 1948 Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Died	August 16, 1997 (aged 48) London, England
Genres	Qawwali, Ghazal, Fusion
Occupations	Musician
Instruments	Vocals, harmonium
Years active	1965–1997
Labels	Real World, OSA, EMI, Virgin Records

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan  (Punjabi: نصرت فتح علی خان (Shahmukhī)) (born in Faisalabad, Pakistan) (October 13, 1948 – August 16, 1997) is the scion of a family whose name has become synonymous with a South Asian musical tradition ten centuries old, which has only in recent years captured the imagination of listeners in the West.

Qawwali music (the word derives from the Arabic word “qual”, which means “belief” or “credo”) is the explosive devotional music of the Sufis –Muslim mystics — of Pakistan and the Indian Subcontinent. It originated in the 10th century as a blend of Persian and Central Asian poetic, philosophical and religious elements with North Indian musical expression. Originally, and still today, the most common venues for the performance of Qawwali music are the traditional Thursday evening sessions of Sufi congregates gathered at the shrines of any of the hundreds of Muslim saints of the region. Groups of Qawwals (the lead performers of this music) play through the night, the best performing near dawn. The Qawwals are heard by “the friends” (the rank-and-file members of the Sufi orders themselves) the Pirs (holy men who serve as spiritual guides) and by laymen a like. Significantly, qawwali music evolved long ago into a popular form of musical expression with a wide following among persons of all the South Asian religious faiths.

Qawwali music is inseparably linked to the name of Amir Khusrau (1254-1325), court musician, composer, poet and mystic, who experimented with diverse musical forms, combining the Indian and the Persian and the Muslim Sufi, arriving at a penetrating synthesis of Islamic devotional texts with North Indian classical music. Toward the middle of the sixteenth century, an idiosyncratic style of qawwali music arose in the Punjab which came to be known as the Punjabi ‘Ang’, weaving the profound texts of Punjabi Sufism with folk material including more energetic percussive themes and newfound haunting melodies.

In modern times, another individual emerged as the central figure in qawwali music, destined to carry the music to new audiences and, for the first time, beyond the borders of the lands of its origins. His name was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1949-1997). Nusrat, a singer of mythic proportions with a worldly other, trance-inducing voice, was the son of the great Fateh Ali Khan, brother of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, and uncle of Rahat. In Sufi Islam, Qawwali is also a form of prayer and an ultimate link to God. Although Qawwali is a symbol of Sufi Islam, Qawwali tradition was dying but credit goes to Nusrat that he brought back Qawwali into the world and positively used his rhythmic music to bring people together.

He was discovered and promoted by British pop star Peter Gabriel through Gabriel’s Real World record label and WOMAD international festival production company beginning in 1988,creating a wave of interest among listeners in the West. Soon He was appreciated and followed by people around the world. He has been awarded on a number of occasions during his lifetime, some of which include: Unicef Musical Award, French cultural Award, French grand-prix Award and Japan foco Asian cultural award.

Nusrat was one of the greatest artists of Sufi music and he carried a spiritual message to the world. He was like an ambassador of peace, he carried the message of Allah which is peace and love. In fact Nusrat gave a positive image of the Muslims to the world. His music and voice were like a bridge between all religions, spreading the message of peace and spirituality to the masses. His untimely death was widely mourned outside of South Asia and his recordings continue to exhibit a measure of mass appeal throughout the entire world.

In the last five decades, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan were considered the past-master of the Qawwali. Both the brothers were gre.n Ustads of classical Music and their virtuosity in Qawwali is acknowledged by every one. Especially, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal was a great musicologist. Vocalist and instrumentalist.

Qawwals were taught under his tutelage. Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal was a great patriot. On Pakistan’s Movement, he composed many good tunes in the praise of Muslim League and Quaid-e-Azam. He performed these tunes in every nook and corner of the Sub-Continent and gave the message of Allama Iqbal and the Quaid to the nation and alert them from the hypocrite Hindus and irijected the people for the want of Pakistan. And when Pakistan came into being, Kh. Nazimuddin and Nawabzada Liaquat Ali ~Khan applauded much and acknawledged the great Service of Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal. The Government of Pakistan gave them the richest award “Pride of Performance” in 1960. Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal died in 1964. At that time his son Nusrat was in Matric. He was compelled to join the party by his family members. Under the guidance af his paternal Uncle Ustad Mabarak Ali Khan, he became the Party’s leader and the party started with the new title — Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Mujahid Mabarak Ali Khan & Party. IN no time, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan got hold on all the prominent Qawwal parties and his familiarity spreaded like the jungle’s fire in the country. Then the famous ntovies maker Rajkapoor booked him on his son Rishi Kappor’s marriage in Bombay. In India, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan gave a remarkable perfarmance on many stages and spellbound the audience by his untouchable speed of “Sargam” and astonishing rhythmetic use in qawwali . After this tour, Nusrat got the unmatched position in the Sub-Continent. In the yester years he toured abroad. He was booked in Great Britain by WOMAD festival; he toured successfully to France, Japan, Holland, South Africa, Portugal Mid-East and Saudi Arabia. He performed Hajj and observed “Umra” twicely. The Government of Pakistan, on his splended services to represent Pakistan’s Culture in foreign countries honoured him with “Pride of Performance in 1986.”

After his tour of Amercia, the American government moved by his stj.~le of Qawali and songs; honoured Nusrat to teach his music and give some lectures to the University students in America. Nusrat a versatile singer for the great composer, Peter Gabriel, who booked him for his movie “The Last Temptation of Christ” as a playback singer and obviously its a great honour for a Pakistani Singer.

Nusrat Khan is now, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He is a great ctasical vocalist of the calibre. For the last 23 years, he too is singing classical music on the Anniversary of his father at Faisalabad. He gave many unforgettable classical.

Performances on stages of Arijuman Ittehad, Mosiqaran LHR.; Classical Music Guild (Pak) All Pakistan Music Conferences. He won a great many titles. Most probably from every country where he performed and many appreciable nicknames i.e. Mr. Ali Ali Mr. Allah Hoo, Buddha etc etc. Ustad Nusrat s contributions in Qawali classical music and compositions are marvellous. His name is a certificate in all the spheres of music. His luring personality wins the hearts of his visitors. He is a thorough gentleman, hosptialble and sympathetic. He is a pride of Pakistan and pakistan is proud of him.