Atta Fareed

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The Left-Handed Master

Atta Fareed was one of the most distinctive members of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Qawwali party. He served as a vocalist and second harmonium player, and is easily identifiable in videos due to his unique playing style—he played the harmonium left-handed.

Role in the Party

For many years, Atta alternated with Rehmat Ali on vocals and second harmonium. His responsibilities included:

• Second harmonium – Providing harmonic support to Farrukh’s lead harmonium
• Vocals – Contributing to the melodic responses and chorus sections
• Alternating duties – Sharing the demanding workload of continuous performance

The Left-Handed Style

Playing harmonium left-handed is extremely rare in the Qawwali tradition. While most players use their right hand on the keyboard and left hand on the bellows, Atta reversed this arrangement. This unique approach gave him a distinctive playing style that set him apart visually in any performance.

He is easily identifiable in videos since he plays the harmonium left-handed.

This physical distinction became part of his identity within the party, making him immediately recognizable to longtime fans and observers of Nusrat’s concerts.

A Trusted Veteran

Being trusted to share duties with Rehmat Ali—one of the core vocalists—speaks to Atta Fareed’s skill and reliability. The demanding nature of Qawwali performances, which could stretch for hours, required multiple musicians capable of stepping in and maintaining the energy and quality expected of the legendary ensemble.