Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a great Pakistani singer and was born in 1948 in Faisalabad. He was called Shahenshah e Qawalli which means the emperor of Qawalli. He was the son of Ustad Fateh Ali Khan who was a man of many talents as he was a vocalist, instrumentalist and a distinguished musicologist. Nusrat’s family has been in Qawalli genre for more than 5 centuries. Nusrat’s father didn’t want him to become a Qawwal, but this boy had some other plans. He forced his father to teach him. His training from his father remained incomplete as his father left this world in 1964. His training was then completed by his uncles Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. Such was his talent that in no time he made his presence felt in the word of music.
Some of his famous songs and Qawallis are: -
* Chalo Dayar-e-Nabi
* Kali Kali Zulfon Ke
* Yaad-e-Nabi Ka Gulshan
* Gham Hai Ya Khushi
* Haq Ali Ali Maula Ali Ali
* Man Kunat Maula
* Ali Da Malang Main
* Dam Mast Qalandar
* Saiyyo Mahi Vichharr
* Sanoon Rog Laan
* Sanoon Ek Pal
* Kise Da Yaar Na
* Aaja Tenoon
* Ek Din Mahi De Ghar
* Mera Piya Ghar Aaya
* Menoon Yaar Manawan Dee
* Paeeyan Mundran
* Mast Nazron Se Allah
* Saanson Kee Mala
* Tere Main Ishq Nachaeeyan
* Nee Main Jana
* Dua Na Koee Hor
* Yeh jo Halka Halka
* Kali Kali Zulfon Ke
* Yaad-e-Nabi Ka Gulshan
* Gham Hai Ya Khushi
* Haq Ali Ali Maula Ali Ali
* Man Kunat Maula
* Ali Da Malang Main
* Dam Mast Qalandar
* Saiyyo Mahi Vichharr
* Sanoon Rog Laan
* Sanoon Ek Pal
* Kise Da Yaar Na
* Aaja Tenoon
* Ek Din Mahi De Ghar
* Mera Piya Ghar Aaya
* Menoon Yaar Manawan Dee
* Paeeyan Mundran
* Mast Nazron Se Allah
* Saanson Kee Mala
* Tere Main Ishq Nachaeeyan
* Nee Main Jana
* Dua Na Koee Hor
* Yeh jo Halka Halka
Nusrat had performed innumerable number of times in the west. He signed a contract with Oriental Star Agencies which provided him with regular concerts in West. He had also given his voice to some Pakistani songs and even some Bollywood songs. He left this world for his heavenly abode on 16th August 1997.
Kailash Kher
Kailash Kher is a leading singer in the genre of Sufi Music. He was born in Meerut in the year 1976. His father was a Pundit and he used to listen to his father singing folk songs throughout the day. He started his training of classical music when he was 12 years old.
After striving in business for a year or so, Kailash thought of trying a hand at singing. His first song Rabba Ishq Na Hove from Andaz received a good response. But it was Allah Ke Bande from Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part 2, which made Kailash an overnight hit. After this he has given music to many Bollywood movies and also had made some albums.
Some of his popular songs are: -
* Allah ke bande
* Meethi meethi batein
* Ya rabba
* Yar sajan
* Daulat shorat
* Piya re piya re
* Mai or meri awargi
* Kina sona
* Bhangra pauna
* Kuti malmal di
* Apun ki toil
* Gaa re man
* Jhuki jhuki
* Sathi mere
* Chak le de
* Albela sajan
* Arziyan
* Chak de pathey
* Chand sifarish
* Dhoom dhadaka
* Dilruba
* O sikander
* Meethi meethi batein
* Ya rabba
* Yar sajan
* Daulat shorat
* Piya re piya re
* Mai or meri awargi
* Kina sona
* Bhangra pauna
* Kuti malmal di
* Apun ki toil
* Gaa re man
* Jhuki jhuki
* Sathi mere
* Chak le de
* Albela sajan
* Arziyan
* Chak de pathey
* Chand sifarish
* Dhoom dhadaka
* Dilruba
* O sikander
Kailash had also lend his voice to many Bollywood movies like Chandni Chowk to China, Dhaam Dhoom, Kuselan, Bheema, Salaam E Ishq, Bal Ganesha, Aja nachle, Delhi Heights, 1971, Traffic Signal, Babul, Ap Ki Khatir, Alag, Dev, Khakee, Swades, Manorama siz feet under, Zinda, Chocolate and more. His voice has a touch of Sufism in it and this asset has made him so much famous in the recent past.
Kailash had also a band called Kailasa whose other members are Paresh and Naresh. Together they have been giving some classical hits which have a tinge of Sufism in it. Kailash kher is providing us with some really good music and will continue to do so.
RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN
Qawwali, the mystical music of Indian and Pakistani Sufism, is rooted in song forms that are over 700 years old. Qawwali songs are devotional songs that extol Islamic virtues and shower praise upon Allah. Qawwali is intended to affect heightened spirituality through ritualized listening known as Sama. The transcendent nature of the poetic lyrics, in combination with a vivacious musical base and the participatory act of Sama, stirs ecstatic feelings of mystical adoration among both performers and audience members alike. Undoubtedly the most popular qawwali singer of all time was the Pakistani-born Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Six weeks after his death in 1997, nephew RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN assumed the qawwali helm. Rahat took Nusrat's first name in a traditional gesture of admiration of his master, and in so doing was officially recognized as the new leader of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's group.
Born in Faisalabad, Pakistan, Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was selected at birth by his uncle for tutoring in the art of qawwali music. A precocious child, Rahat was singing at the age of three with his uncle and his father Farroukh Fateh Ali Khan, another respected qawwali singer. Rahat began formalized training with his uncle at the age of six. By age 15, Rahat officially joined his uncle's celebrated group.
Since becoming the head of the group, Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has performed on a variety of recordings and has sung with EDDIE VEDDER at the Dead Man Walking Concert put on by TIM ROBBINS. He and his band continue to entrance world audiences with numerous shows around the globe. Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's self-titled release on American Recordings is his U.S. debut. Recorded in Santa Monica, CA, its four tracks are both emotionally charged and expertly performed. Producer RICK RUBBIN, of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and BESTIE BOYS fame, boosts Rahat's already potent sounds by cranking up the low end and placing the tabla way up in the mix.
Though Rahat is excited to play with Western pop musicians and lay down tracks in state-of-the-art studios, he is ultimately most concerned with the art of qawwali and its mystically imbued message. As he states, "qawwali music is not only music, it is a message. It was created by Sufis, and when we compose and practice this music, it stays forever. Other music comes and goes, but qawwali never goes. Once you start listening, it goes in your soul, goes in your spirit, and you become more human. I feel that this music is my duty, to go and give the message of Sufism. My future is that one day I will fulfill the desire of Nusrat to give this message to the world."
Since becoming the head of the group, Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has performed on a variety of recordings and has sung with EDDIE VEDDER at the Dead Man Walking Concert put on by TIM ROBBINS. He and his band continue to entrance world audiences with numerous shows around the globe. Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's self-titled release on American Recordings is his U.S. debut. Recorded in Santa Monica, CA, its four tracks are both emotionally charged and expertly performed. Producer RICK RUBBIN, of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and BESTIE BOYS fame, boosts Rahat's already potent sounds by cranking up the low end and placing the tabla way up in the mix.
Though Rahat is excited to play with Western pop musicians and lay down tracks in state-of-the-art studios, he is ultimately most concerned with the art of qawwali and its mystically imbued message. As he states, "qawwali music is not only music, it is a message. It was created by Sufis, and when we compose and practice this music, it stays forever. Other music comes and goes, but qawwali never goes. Once you start listening, it goes in your soul, goes in your spirit, and you become more human. I feel that this music is my duty, to go and give the message of Sufism. My future is that one day I will fulfill the desire of Nusrat to give this message to the world."
About Sufi Songs
These songs are considered to be a truthful demonstration of the most pure state of mind. The theme of the songs is generally based on one’s love and devotion for God. Sufi songs are usually sung in some Sufi gatherings, concerts and even mosques.
In the last few decades or so, the popularity of Sufi Songs has increased in leaps and bounds. It is because of the fact that, Sufism believed in the harmony of all the religions. Itself being derived from Islam, Sufism believed that hurting sentiments of people of different religions is a sinful deed and is punishable by the God. Hence, Sufi songs were sung in praise of both Ram and Allah. For Sufism it was human beings, instead of Hindus and Muslims.
Some notable Sufi singers are Abida Parveen, Bibi Nooran, Barkat Sidhu, Iqbal Bahu, Miraj Khan, Ustad Juman, Allan Fakir, Swam Noora, Sultan Khan, Shahram Nazeri, Kailash Kher, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rabbi Shergill, Shubha Mudgal, Ghulam Ali, Wadali Brothers, Pathanay Khan and many more.
These singers mentioned here are one of the most famous Sufi singers world had ever seen. There composition is superb, simply spiritual and it seems that their songs are the path that will lead one to the all powerful, the divine. These singers and their work, their masterpieces are valuable. They are giving the world a new path, an easy path towards spirituality.
This Sufi music may have become obsolete and out dated, and may be in the coming generations there will be no taker for it, but the feel one will get listening to this music will be there for ever.
