10 Fun Facts about Nusrat Fateh Ali. (Btw Nusrat was not even his real name!)

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a renowned Pakistani musician and Qawwali vocalist who gained international fame for his powerful and mesmerizing voice. Here are some fun facts about him:

 

1. Nusrat Fateh Ali’s real name. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s real name was Pervaiz. Most of his friends including political presenter Hassan Nisar mentioned that they never called him Nusrat, his stage name.

2. Guinness World Records: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan holds two Guinness World Records. He has the record for the largest recorded output by a Qawwali artist, with over 125 albums to his name. He also has the record for the longest recorded Qawwali, which lasted for 115 minutes.

 

3. Collaboration with Peter Gabriel: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan collaborated with British musician Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack for the film “The Last Temptation of Christ” in 1988. This collaboration introduced his music to a global audience and helped popularize Qawwali outside of South Asia.

 

4. Bollywood Contributions: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s incredible voice and musical talent also led him to collaborate with several Bollywood film composers. He recorded numerous songs for Bollywood movies, including popular tracks like “Dum Mast Qalandar” and “Afreen Afreen.”

 

5. Cross-Cultural Collaborations: Khan collaborated with a variety of artists from different musical genres, including Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Michael Brook, and Massive Attack. These collaborations showcased the versatility of his voice and helped blend traditional Qawwali with contemporary styles.

 

6. Prestigious Awards: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan received numerous awards during his career, including the prestigious UNESCO Music Prize in 1995. He was also honored with the Pride of Performance, one of Pakistan’s highest civil awards.

7. Global Recognition: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s influence extends far beyond South Asia. He is often credited with introducing Qawwali to the Western world, and his music continues to inspire artists and audiences worldwide, even after his passing in 1997.

8. Voice Range: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan had an astonishing vocal range, spanning over three octaves. His ability to effortlessly switch between different vocal styles and his command over intricate melodic patterns made him one of the most celebrated vocalists in the world.

9. Musical Legacy: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan comes from a long lineage of Qawwali singers. He belonged to the famous music family from Jalandhar India, and his family has been a follower of Chishti order for more than 600 years.

10. Within Qawwal family of Nusrat Fateh Ali Sahib, women are discouraged from singing publicly. He did not have a son and his successor was crowned as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, his nephew and his most gifted apprentice, who he trained for more than a decade.

 

These fun facts highlight some of the remarkable achievements and contributions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to the world of music.