Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan 1948-1997, Spin Magazine

Scans of a  Tribute Article Released in 1997, Spin Magazine commemorating Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

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The Biggest Celebrity Fans of NFAK — Malkit Singh

Malkit Singh Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Malkit Singh – The Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Fan

We all know and love Malkit Singh for  the songs “Gur Nalo Ishq Mita”, “Tootak Tootak Tootiyan”, “Kurri Garam Jayee”, “Dekh li vilyait”, as well as “Chal Hun,” and “Jind Mahi” from the blockbuster Bend It Like Beckham film soundtrack.

Malkit Sing was obsessed with NFAK from late 80’s but could never get a chance to see the man himself. He kept asking people around him so make it possible as soon as possible, and the big day came as a surprise. It was a Sunday afternoon in early 1990 when he got a call from Mohammad Ayyub from Oriental star Agency for a meeting. When Malkit reached there , he was surprised, it was NFAK sitting there waiting for him…. What happened next..

Malkit was over-whelmed with emotions ” It was like Eklavya meeting his great guru, his musical god.” He touched NFAk’s feet and couldn’t dare to sit on chair (on same lever with NFAK), so he sat dawn near NFAK legs … saying the obvious ” I am you biggest fan” , NFAK replied back “I am your fan too , I loved your song Kuri Kad Ke Kalja, you took some awesome places” .. Malkit was speechless , such a great personality and so down to earth. He even went on to ask NFAK to accept him in his Chorus (he wanted to sit and clap behind NFAK) …

Listen to the whole Interview for yourself

[audio:https://www.nusratonline.com/nfaktop50/BBC%20-%20Asian%20Network%20Rupal%20Rajani%20-%20Ray%20Khan%20sits%20in%20for%20Rupal…%2002_08_15-02_30_00.mp3]

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When NFAK died, Malkit left his concert in middle (how could he sing), he went to Airport and carried NFAK’s body from Stretcher to his shoulder … he followed his emotional and traditional obligations…

 

Professor NFAK – The Story Of NFAK’s Stay At University Of Washington

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 (eventually) … 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…

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Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan -The Man Behind the Scenes

Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan – The Man behind Qawwali

If NFAK was the thunder that entranced the world, Farrukh was the rain of melody that followed..

“Nusrat is now the symbol of the family name and its tradition. He is the prestige that has been brought to our house. His popularity and the respect he commands has immortalized our family. Nusrat is a living legend.I think of only one thing, That may Allah reward him more and more with greater honour.  Honours such as have not been received by any other artiste. We consider his honour to be ours and his unprecedented popularity to be our own. Our hearts beat for each other, we feel each other’s pain and pleasure. We may have different names and bodies but our hearts beat as one.”

These were the words of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan when he was asked about NFAK’s unimaginable success. Farrukh was the driving soul of the party , A man with a great voice with varying texture, a prodigy of music and the greatest Harmonium player of his era , he even composed many of NFAK songs, though Nusrat always tried to credit him as the “Music Director of Ensemble”  he never took any credit… the pious soul was happy with what he had, and was forever thankful to god for being NFAK’s Brother. Farrukh was a great classical singer too, it he did many solo Jugalbandis with NFAK . He frequently used to beautify NFAK’s improvisations with his “Textured Alaap” .. very often Nusrat used to praise him in between song by nodding his head or sometimes even saying “Subhaan Allah” . He very easily used to cover the mistakes of other party members and was great at tune transitions. Continue reading