Nusrat teaching students at University of Washington 1993
University Of Washington invites Celebrity Visiting Artists every year for it’s Ethnomusicology Program. In 1992-93 they took a chance to Invite NFAK, hoping he wont turn up. To their surprise , NFAK happily agreed … why hadn’t he … he was going to get great chance to spread his music to a completely new audience and ample resource for his musical-cross blendings.. .. The program was a huge success as not just students but even faculty members and artists from different universities as well as different parts of USA turned up for the program…the fact that his students became one of the most Hardcore NFAK fans ever was not at all surprising… He also gave one of his most memorable performances ever at Meany(University Theater) after huge request by students . NFAK was awarded an honorary Doctorate later by the University ……… What Follows is a writeup by Professor Hiromi Lorraine Sakata remembering NFAK’s Stay…
Have you ever tried any of NFAK Ghazals… When it came to Ghazals NFAK thunderous voice used to become honey-soft , Sargam Improvisations used to become murkiyan ( A murki is cluster of notes that sounds like a short, subtle taan ), Repetitions of Phrases by Ensemble was replaced by NFAK’s solo repetitions full of Adayagi( Elite way of Expressing) and intense hand movements were now just limited to eyes and facial expressions… ( Though NFAK sometimes induced Sargams in Ghazals too… Cross-blending as he always did..)
My most Favorite NFAK Ghazal is ” Mai Khayal Hoo Kisi Aur Ka ” followed by “Kehna Galat Galat” (yes it’s a Ghazal)
Missives From Allah – One of the best Ghazal Albums of NFAK
Data Durbar( or Darbar) is the shrine of great Sufi Saint, Sufi saint, Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery (more commonly known as Daata Ganj Baksh, meaning the master who bestows treasures). It is one of the most important and oldest Sufi Shrines of World.Data Darbar is also viewed as one of the home grounds of traditional Qawwali. Till date , every Thursday there is a Qawwali performance at the shrine which starts at 3pm and continues throughout the evening. Data Darbar holds special significance in Nusrat’s Life, his performances here were the one that established him as a Great Qawwal in his native Pakistan and shut those down who accused NFAK of westernizing Qawwali, devotees present during NFAK’s yearly performances on Urs in Data Darbar Complex are still found describing it as unmatchable and divine. When NFAK performed here first time, story is that Other Qawwals scheduled to perform after NFAK didn’t even got a chance.. why? You obviously know that…
What we present today is a set of NFAK performances from Data Darbar Recorded in 1995. We apologize for poor recording Quality…let me assure you that it’s the best available.. Just try to get A feel of The Saints by listening to a man who was no less a “Saint” Himself…..
“If God (whoever he is) could choose someone to sing on his
behalf, I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Nusrat would be it”Unknown Fan, Duluth, Georgia, USA "Listen to Nusrat… it's like – worship of GOD"Bintu Chaudhary"Whenever i listen qawwalies of Nusrat Shaheb, I feel he is shadow of Hindalwali Khawaja Garib Nawaz." - Vineet Misra
"Nusrat helped me to be spiritual"-Gagandeep singh
"Shahenshah-e-qawali Janab Ustab Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Saab ka koi saani nahin!" - kamaal Barkat Ali
"Nusrat ji has always been there for me. I wish all the blessings of god on him, on his birthday." - Dipy Singh
"Nusrat Saheb's Birthday is birthday of Music" - Irfan
"Legend dies young. God realised he made the mistake of sending his angels to Earth, so he has to take them back. Ustad Nusrat was one of them. Sir, you need not walk on this Earth. You reside in hearts.
" - Prakash
"Long Live Khan Sahib Jee " - Pritam
"Happy Birthday Nusrat! - You Will Live Forever" - Admin
NFAK Birthday Special Click Here To Wish NFAK Happy Birthday
"I go on to the pitch with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ringing in my ears. He stays deep inside our hearts."
- Javed Miandad "Listening to Nusrat Ji made me realise how small I am in front of him"
- Nana Patekar "He was touched by Allah (God), by having the unique ability to a sing as if he is a conduit from not just a God, but the whole universe"
- Roger White "Working with Nusrat Saheb was the closest I ever got to God"
- Shekhar Kapoor "He’s my elvis. I idolize Nusrat, he's a god, too"
- Jeff Buckley "The place where my voice finishes, Nusrat used to start from that place."
- Sonu Nigam Click Here To Read All Celebrity Tributes
FirstpostRising Star 2 winner Hemant Brijwasi: 'Want to emulate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and be remembered for generations'FirstpostMumbai: Mathura-born Hemant Brijwasi, winner of music reality TV show Rising Star India 2, has already had a tryst with singing for Bollywood films. But he says his dream is bigger than being a playback singer. Brijwasi w […]
Daily TimesTwo-day Qawwali Festival closes with message of peaceDaily TimesRenowned qawwals including Asif Ali Khan Santu, Mehboob Papu, Qawal Hajji Badar Ali Khan, Nadeem Jameel Khan and Nasar Ullah Salamat Khan enthralled the audiences through their performances. An impressive turnout of viewers was observed on the occasion ...