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Remembering Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with five of his iconic qawwalis

Remembering Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with five of his iconic qawwalis

Fans are paying tribute to the late maestro on what would have been his 73rd birthday.
13 Oct, 2021

When it comes to the rich musical history of Pakistan, we can't help but think of qawwalis. But qawwalis aren't just about the music — they need a soulful voice to tie everything together and no one had a voice quite like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Fans are celebrating what would have been the king of qawwali's 73rd birthday today (October 13).

Most 90s kids grew up listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan being played in their houses and we’re sure many of our readers can relate to that as well.

He is one of if not the most celebrated South Asian musician of all time — performing at venues across the world and being crowned with an array of titles. His qawwalis have been reproduced time and again in Pakistan and across the border.

On his birthday, here are some iconic melodies that we still listen to and love today.

'Afreen Afreen'

This hit cannot be missed out on a day like this. While many have been going back and forth between the original and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan’s version of 'Afreen Afreen', no one can deny that this love-filled qawwali sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan just hits different.

'Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor'

This qawwali is about a loved one and its tune and lyrics are magical as ever, even after 30 years.

'Dillagi'

There are many versions of this song available online but nothing compares to the original.

'Mast Nazron Se'

'Mast Nazron Se' is about heartbreak and its soulful lyrics still resonate with us today, perhaps even more than they did before!

'Dam Mast Qalandar'

An all- time classic, 'Dam Mast Qalandar' is one of the most iconic of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's entire discography.

Though we, and many other fans, are celebrating and paying tribute to the late maestro today, we should note that he and his music are celebrated every single day. Millions of people around the world still listen to his qawwalis 24 years after his death and keep his memory alive every day.

Comments

Sadiq Oct 13, 2021 07:02pm
Dam Mast Qalandar is all time favorite!!!
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Neelesh Oct 13, 2021 09:49pm
Love u Nusrat Saheb
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Zak Oct 13, 2021 10:15pm
A Pakistani legend. In memory forever and always missed. He made pakistan proud.
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HASMUKH PATEL Oct 13, 2021 10:33pm
Great sufi... Always remains in our meditation..
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NYS Oct 13, 2021 10:53pm
Afreen Afreen was one of the qawwali that most of the time blare on the ramp for catwalk ..we reckoned ourself ever listen Majority cricketers and political leaders was heart favourite qawwal was Nusrat
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Saleem Ansari Oct 14, 2021 12:35am
What about "Tum eik gorakh dhanda ho". It is a great masterpiece, both in poetry and singing.
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Firangi Oct 14, 2021 01:20am
Fantastic singer from a great family of musicians
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Alih Kazmi Oct 14, 2021 01:40am
Nothing demonstrates better than a qawwali the confluence of civilizations from Arabia to Mongolia that gave rise to Pakistani culture.
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Sanjay Sharma Oct 14, 2021 01:52am
Mere rashke qamar
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Gareeb Azam Oct 14, 2021 01:58am
Global icon. love you sir.
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John Oct 14, 2021 09:05am
Most of his songs were copied
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Waqar Haider Hashmi Oct 14, 2021 10:25am
Very nice gesture of paying tribute to legendary NFK... I would have rated his top 5 differently, he has so many masterpieces... recommend write something about the poets and his team members... so many gems under his shadow... wish NFK's and other legends' times were comprehensively revisited so that our future generations appreciate them with the same lens we have... Salaam!
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