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Renowned classical singer Ustad Fateh Ali Khan passes away

Renowned classical singer Ustad Fateh Ali Khan passes away

The music legend passed away after a long illness
Updated 04 Jan, 2017

Renowned classical singer Ustad Fateh Ali Khan passed away today at the age of 82, Dawn News reported.

Ustad Fateh had been under treatment at Islamabad's PIMS Hospital for the past 10 days and was suffering from a lungs disease.

Born in 1935 in Patiala, he (at the age of 12) and his elder brother Amanat Ali Khan (at the age of 14) became the Maharaja's chosen singers, at his 'darbar' or court. Being paid the handsome amount of Rs100 per month in the year 1946, he grew up in an environment where music was valued.

He was the sixth generation in his family devoted to classical singing. He was joined by hus brothers, the late Amanat Ali Khan and Hamid Ali Khan, in keeping the family legacy alive. His sons Rustom and Sultan teach classical music in Lahore and Islamabad. He was also the paternal uncle of classical/rock singer Shafqat Amanat Ali and the late Asad Amanat Ali.

He received the President's Pride of Performance and many other awards; however, none of the awards carried any means of livelihood with them. Still, he maintained, “I would live my life exactly the same, if I had another life.”

Ustad Fateh gained fame for Pakistan in US, India, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Afghanistan, Nepal and spent his life singing and teaching classical music. His students were spread all over the world, from the US, London, Germany, Norway, Switzerland to India and Pakistan.

According to his brother Hamid Ali Khan, Ustad Fateh's funeral prayers will be offered in Lahore tomorrow.


A previous version of this story misstated that Ustad Fateh Ali Khan was a qawwal. The error is regretted.

Comments

Hash Jan 04, 2017 06:15pm
He was not a Qawwal but a classical singer.
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Afzaal Ansari Jan 04, 2017 06:25pm
Massive and irretrievably loss
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KK Jan 04, 2017 06:25pm
Qawwal? I cannot recall any of his qawwalis. As far as I remember, he was a renowned Ghazal and Classical Urdu singer. inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
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saqibtahir Jan 04, 2017 06:28pm
Ustad ji was a real legend of Classical music. A very sad news indeed. RIP Ustad Ji. Your music will always be remembered. (Note: Ustad fateh Ali Khan was not a Qawwal but renowned classical singer)
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asif Jan 04, 2017 06:28pm
He was a classical singer not a qawal. Amanat Ali sahab was his younger brother.
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Naeem Jan 04, 2017 06:28pm
First of all he was not a qawwal, he was classical singer from patiala Gharana :(
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D MANDAL Jan 04, 2017 06:47pm
I am surprised why he is being referred to as a mere qawwal? Quite a few of his khayal recitals in Raga Durga, Megh and Darbari are available in Youtube and each bear the signature of a classical khayalia of superlative talent. In fact, it seems he did not get even a fraction of the fame he deserved. With his death we lose another pillar of the Patiala gharana after Bade Ghulam. I only hope his disciples prove themselves worthy enough to carry forward this great legacy.
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Iftikhar Ahmed Jami Jan 04, 2017 06:51pm
Another terrible loss to Pakistan and Indian classical lovers all over.
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Dr athar abbas, Houston, USA Jan 04, 2017 08:16pm
I would say the writer is mixing up Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali khan. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a renowned QAWWAL of global fame. Ustad Fateh ali Khan and his brother late Amanat Ali Khan (and others of their family) have been proud torch bearers of genre of classical music in Pakistan and have nothing to do with Qawwali at all.
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S. A. M. Jan 04, 2017 08:27pm
their family has rendered excellent services in Mersia
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Lakhkar Khan Jan 04, 2017 08:45pm
Sad day for music lovers. Ustad Fateh Ali Khan was a classic music maestro.
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Rizwan Jan 04, 2017 08:50pm
@D MANDAL You are absolutely right he has not received a fraction of respect he deserved. Our society is simply ignorant and we are don't value our greats.
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Jas Singh Jan 04, 2017 08:59pm
He was not a Qawaal singer but the Doyen of the Patiala Gharana and Classical Vocalist of the highest calibre. Probably the last pure Patiala Gharana vocalist. He belonged to the Patiala Gharana created by Jarnail and Karnail Ali Baksh. He will be sadly missed by his many fans who listened to him perform various Raags such as Darbari, Megh, etc. RIP Ustad Ji.
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Saddique Jan 04, 2017 09:01pm
Such a sad news hearing about Khan Sahib, I have spent many hours with Khan Sahib and his words still echo in my ears. Mera putter aa gaya hai ( I live in the UK) and met him in Islamabad a while he said that I reminded him of his nephew Asad. What a loss to the Pakistani classical music. A void which will never be fulfilled.
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Masood Hussain Jan 04, 2017 09:04pm
He was wonderful classical singer with a golden voice
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Zi Jan 04, 2017 10:02pm
He was a renowned classical singer belonging to patiala gharana. An irreparable loss.
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Ordinary_Citizen Jan 04, 2017 11:03pm
Death of an era. A gap that can never be filled. RIP ustad ji.
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Isabhai Surat wala Jan 04, 2017 11:11pm
Rip....
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Hopeful Jan 04, 2017 11:38pm
RIP
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Krishnakumar Jan 05, 2017 12:14am
Deepest condolences from India Together we mourn the passing away of a true legend and a wonderful soul We loved his music and he will forever live in our hearts through his wonderful music
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Oz Jan 05, 2017 01:14am
Inna lillahay wa inna elayhay rajayoun - Great son of the soil. Only a few other Pakistanis have received the status of commanding respect like him. What a loss!
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white noise Jan 05, 2017 03:23am
82 is good age to go, RIP Bare Ustaad
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bisumullaa Jan 05, 2017 03:28am
May your soul rest in peace Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan Saahib. Thank you for your love of Classical music and sharing it with others. You and your music will be missed to all Classical music lovers.
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Muslim Medina Jan 05, 2017 03:45am
The passing of another legend Ustad Fateh Ali Khan. I had the privilege of listening to Ustad in Toronto along with Asad Amanat. Listening to great classical numbers which he sang with Ustad Amanat Ali and now accompanied by Asad. May his soul rest in peace in Jannat. Aameen.
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I'mMussarat Hussain Jan 05, 2017 03:49am
Fateh Ali Khan is Born in centuries he was a treasure of classical music Mussarat Hussain Baboo Journalist and Author APP/AFP/CNN
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TamilsElvsn Jan 05, 2017 04:42am
May his soul Rest In Peace for he has contributed to the society by his voice and spread love and peace to msnkind .
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viney mehra Jan 05, 2017 06:16am
Ustad Fateh ali khan la Jawa ab . He was all time great . I wish and pray that his progenies continue withclassical music of patiala gharana .There should be a national mourning when such greats leave this earth.However ustad ji will always remain in heart of music lovers.
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Tariq Mahmood Jan 05, 2017 09:28am
Great classical singer. Both brothers Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali khan are legends and will remain in the hearts of music lovers for ever. RIP
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Hope. Jan 05, 2017 10:24am
A sad demise. R.I.P. Almost the end of the legends.
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D.K. PAMNANI Jan 05, 2017 11:20am
REST IN PEACE
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Mohsin Naqvi Jan 06, 2017 10:00am
You have done us proud.
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Pathanoo Jan 06, 2017 10:19am
A GREAT LOSS . HE CAN NOT BE REPLACED. REST IN PEACE.
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ASAD SHAHID SOORTY Jan 06, 2017 11:21am
A huge loss for Pakistan. I hope his legacy can be continued by others
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