KARACHI: 19 years ago today, Pakistani music industry lost its voice when legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan left his fans in a deep shock and grief. Today is his 19th death anniversary.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, popular as Khan Sahab, was born on October 13‚ 1948 in Faisalabad to a classical family of singers, embarked on singing career with Qawwali followed by the ever-increasing line of music including Sufi, and hymns.
Khan Sahab, known as Qawwali maestro, created a world record of releasing as many as 125 audio albums with his stunning voice. His famous hits include Dum Mast Qalandar Mast Mast‚ Ali Maula Ali‚ Ye Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai‚ Mera Pia Ghar Aya and many others.
His first major hit was the song ‘Haq Ali Ali’ while he also did joint ventures with well-known international singers. Khan Sahab reached out to western audiences through his work with Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack to the last temptation of Christ in 1985.
In 1987, the government of Pakistan bestowed Pride of Performance on the legendary singer for his contribution to Pakistani music. Two years before his death, he received the prestigious UNESCO Music Prize. He received a number of national and international honorary awards throughout his music career.
The Qawwali maestro died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 49 on 16 August, 1997, at the peak of his career.