The 28th death anniversary of world-renowned Pakistani musician and Qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is being observed today (Saturday).
Born on October 13, 1948, in Faisalabad, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was the fifth child and first son of Fateh Ali Khan, a celebrated musician, vocalist, and Qawwal. Carrying forward his family’s 600-year-old Qawwali tradition, he rose to global fame as one of the greatest singers ever recorded, admired for his six-octave vocal range and ability to perform with unmatched intensity for hours.
Known as Shahenshah-e-Qawwali (The King of Kings of Qawwali), Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is credited with bringing Sufi music to international audiences. His collaborations extended across borders, working with Indian composer A.R. Rahman and lyricist Javed Akhtar, as well as reaching Western audiences through his partnership with Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack of The Last Temptation of Christ (1985).
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, he holds the record for the largest recorded output by a Qawwali artist, with 125 albums to his name as of 2001.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan passed away at the age of 48 on August 16, 1997, in London, following kidney and liver failure and a sudden cardiac arrest at Cromwell Hospital. His music and legacy continue to inspire generations worldwide.
