Even Google decided to pay tribute to the late Pakistani qawwal legend via this Google Doodle.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born October 13, 1948 in Faisalabad. He is considered one of the pioneers of fusion music and is called as the Shehenshah of qawwali music.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was trained specially by his father Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, who was a renowned qawwal of his time.
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali was the first musician to merge eastern and western musical styles together. He has collaborated with musicians such as Lata Mangeshkar, A.R. Rehman and Peter Gabriel.
Among several records that he holds to his name, one is that he’s released the most number of albums ever by a Pakistani artist, which amounts to 125. His famous qawwalis include Ali (R.A) Maula Ali (R.A), Dum Mast Qalandar Mast and Mera Piya Ghar Aaya (My lover has come home).
Mera Piya Ghar Aya (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan)[1] by PakMaza
Here is the master qawwal with Mick Jagger and Imran Khan.
Rare Clip of Imran Khan and Amitabh Bachan… by zemtv
Many books are written on his personality and art as well.
Time Magazine included Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s name in their list of Asian Heroes whereas Japanese called him “The Singing Buddha”.
His contributions as a qawwal and musician did not go unnoticed, since Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was the recipient of numerous national and international awards.
The Government of Pakistan awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance award to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in 1987 for his contribution and services to Pakistan.
The king of qawwal passed away due to lung cancer in 1997.
It is no doubt that Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a gem in the history of Pakistani music and his songs and musical style is still listened to in the world today.