Qawwali maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan remembered on 20th death anniversary

It has been years since the legendary qawwal – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – has left us, but his Sufi devotional songs are still widely heard with great delight. 

Dubbed as ‘The King of Qawwali’, the qawwali maestro’s 20^th death anniversary is being observed today (Wednesday).

Born and bred in Faisalabad, Nusrat was widely popular for his qawwali and pacifying music compositions. He departed this world at relatively, a young age of 48, on 16^th August 1997.

Nusrat Fateh Ali’s compositions have defined the art-form of Qawwali for the generations to come. The government of Pakistan bestowed Pride of Performance on the legendary singer in 1987 for his contribution to Pakistani music.

He was also honored with the prestigious UNESCO Music Prize. The music maestro released as many as 25 Qawwali albums.

His massive hit Dam Mast Qalandar became household anthems.

Khan was taken to London after suffering from kidney and liver failure on August 11‚ 1997. He passed away of a sudden cardiac arrest at Cromwell Hospital‚ London‚ on August 16‚ 1997 at the age of 48.

Here is how the Twitterati pay rich tributes to the King of Qawwal.

20th death anniversary of “شہنشاہِ قوال”
May Allah grant him the highest rank in jannat#NusratFatehAliKhan pic.twitter.com/1Mv5oImwoi

— Arslan Mushtaq 🇵🇰 (@arslanmu87) August 16, 2017

Legends Never Die… #NusratFatehAliKhan pic.twitter.com/bWZ9iessAe

— Naima Lashari (@NaimaLashari) August 16, 2017

Miss u Legend, may your sweet sound Live Long #NusratFatehAliKhan pic.twitter.com/qCGIRnbcgq

— Ali Ibtesam (@History_Itself) August 16, 2017