NFAK Sings Amir Khusrow

Ab’ul Hasan Yamīn ud-Dīn Khusrow

Amir Khusrow once said ‘ Music is the fire that burns heart and soul.’ In the 20th century Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was the carrier of that fire

Amir Khusrow was not just the inventor of Many forms of music including Qawwali, but also a true philosopher and one of the greatest poets ever. NFAK started his musical journey in 1975 with an Amir Khusro’s ghazal in Jashn-e-bahara festival pakistan. Many great Pakistani singers heard NFAK there and showed lot of appreciation and love, which was the biggest motivation point for him ever, he was also given 500 rupees by a singer which used to be a great deal of money in those days. NFAK’s performance at Amir Khusro’s 700th anniversary was nothing less than special, it was this day when he was titled “KhusraueSani”  meaning Equivalent to Khusrow . He later went on to sing many of Khusro’s poems with great compositions making them a forever saga. Though NFAK is forever in-debt to Khusrow for his poems and invention of Qawwali music, Khusrow himself remains in-debt to NFAK for keeping his poems alive for ever. What follows are some great NFAK-Khusrow tracks

NFAK Performing At 700th Anniversary Of Amir Khusraow

A few Nusrat-Khusrow Tracks:

1. Man Kunto Maula (Tokyo,1987)

[audio:http://nusratonline.com/nfaktop50/khusro/01%20-%20Man%20Kunto%20Maula-0001.mp3]

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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Vs Ustad Miyan Shaukat Hussain Khan

If this doesn’t blow your heads off then Nothing can, Ustad Miyan Shaukat Hussain Khan (on Tabla) .. is from same family of Diddar Hussain (Punjab Gharana) and was regarded one of the best Tabla players of his era..

Ustad Mian Shaukat Hussain Khan

The following event took place on of the Barsi’s of NFAK’s father Ustad Fateh Ali Khan ( NFAK loved him more than any one else and every year conducted a tribute Classical program that was attended by best Ustaads and music personalities of Pakistan and sometimes India too), You might have never seen such a powerful Nusrat before, truly raw,organic & classic. NFAK gave USTAD SHOKAT HUSSAIN a very hard time . but at last look at at how happy they are and how much they are enjoying..

Better Quality

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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Overnight Performances At Data Darbar, The Roots of Qawwali

Data Darbar Complex , The Roots Of qawwali

Data Durbar( or Darbar) is the shrine of great Sufi Saint, Sufi saint, Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery (more commonly known as Daata Ganj Baksh, meaning the master who bestows treasures). It is one of the most important and oldest Sufi Shrines of World.Data Darbar is also viewed as one of the home grounds of traditional Qawwali. Till date , every Thursday there is a Qawwali performance at the shrine which starts at 3pm and continues throughout the evening. Data Darbar holds special significance in Nusrat’s Life, his performances here were the one that established him as a Great Qawwal in his native Pakistan and shut those down who accused NFAK of westernizing Qawwali, devotees present during NFAK’s  yearly performances on Urs in Data Darbar Complex are still found describing it as unmatchable and divine. When NFAK performed here first time, story is that Other Qawwals scheduled to perform after NFAK didn’t even got a chance.. why? You obviously know that…

You can read more about Data Darbar Here.

NFAK performing at Data Darbar

What we present today is a set of NFAK performances from Data Darbar Recorded in 1995. We apologize for poor recording Quality…let me assure you that it’s the best available.. Just try to get A feel of The Saints by listening to a man who was no less a “Saint” Himself…..

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live At Data Drarbar Part 1

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW2JuV7LZMw&w=420&h=315]

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live At Data Drarbar Part 2

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Ok1gpUPpA&w=420&h=315]

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live At Data Drarbar Part 3

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKel95saMrs&w=420&h=315]

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live At Data Drarbar Part 4

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j59dZgvKsog&w=420&h=315]

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live At Data Drarbar Part 5

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R91KI0Mc5ss&w=420&h=315]

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live At Data Drarbar Part 6

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tamMirsO2lE&w=420&h=315]

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A Voice From Heaven – A Film by Giuseppe Asaro , A Must Watch

Official Poster – “A Voice from Heaven”

Released On the first day of 21st century, A Voice From Heaven (2001) is probably the best documentary  ever made in the beloved memory of legendary Sufi qawwali singer, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

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