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…

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live At  Drchester Hotel London 1993 - DVD (H.Q) City Bank Concert… 1. Introduction 2. Allah Hoo 18:39 3. Nami Danam 16:04 4. Akhiyan Udeek Diyan 14:40 5. Mera Piya Ghar Aya 11:40 6. Ho Karam Ki Nazar 14:53 7. Chaap Tilak Cheen Lee 15:20 8. Tum Ek Gorakhdhanda Ho 17:01 9. Je Toon Rab Noon Mananan 12:57 10. Ham Apni Sham Ko 08:51 11. Sanoon Ek Pal Chain Na 05:14 12. Yeh Jo Halka Halka Saroor 16:28 13. Allah Muhammad Char Yaar 04:15 14. Dam Mast Qalander 07:48

Getting Off Music for some time now, lets me tell you more about NFAK’s likes, the second most particular one this time.

If there was anything else NFAK was ever known for other than Music and nature, it was his appetite. He never used to eat before and during the performances which lasted 5-10 hours. You will be amazed to know that once he ate 70 kebabs in one go after a performance. NFAK was quiet weak when it came to compromising with unfamiliar food, so during his World Tours (which continued for months), he used to face a lot of problems. Once during his Germany visit, he literally lived on fruits for a few days. Another incident happened in Japan where he couldn’t eat Japanese rice and organizers finally had to arrange food from a Indian family living there.

It is no argument  that the World’s Music would have been a lot poorer if Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was not born. Since early days of his introduction to Western ears he was hailed as one of the greatest voices and greatest singer ever. What follows is an everlasting list speaking the man’s impact on music and World.

1. 100 Minorities who changed the World: ……..by Sacred-Bridge Click Here To See Entire List

Cutting right to chest, if you are a big fan of “Allah Hoo” , then you might be knowing that the most famous version of Allah Hoo was recorded in this concert, I am talking about the 15 minutes versions you might have heard on albums like “Imprint”, “The Emperor” , “Live At Washington University” and any other famous compilation album. This is also the concert that was mentioned in our fan-story in previous post.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was the Celebrity Visiting Artist in the University of Washington Ethnomusicology Program in 1992-93. It was during the end of his visit that there was a sudden demand of a Concert performance, other ensemble members were back in Pakistan, NFAK initially thought of giving a solo performance with Tari Khan on Tabla, however the other member flew in just a few hours before the time. And then they gave us such a great show (after traveling for over 20 hours continuously), hats off to them.

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So the performance has all the great tracks “Allah Hoo”, “Man Kunto Maula” (Might be the beat version), “Mast Mast”, “Haq Ali Ali”, “Mera Piya Ghar aaya”…

this video posted below contains the main part of concert, the duo performance with Farrukh and another one with Tari khan will be posted soon..

So gear up for 90 minutes of pure music….

By: o. Sano ( NFAK’s Fan from USA)

Often i get asked…what was the best concert you have ever seen. In fact.i just got asked that recently and i said the same thing i say everytime, “i have many best concerts” yet i always return to one which is when i saw nusrat fateh ali khan perform at the university of washington. to this day my mind is completely blown away by the grace, the power and pureness of his music. i recall my friend hParker telling me about his concert and how tickets were on sale at wall of sound record store…we left the spot we were standing at and purchased them immediately. it was like yesterday i was looking at the tickets and amazed i was going to be able to see such an amazing artist - little did i know i was going to see something much bigger than i anticipated.

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Concert (1993)

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Profile (1996)

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Tribute (1998)

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan- Remembering Nusrat

Did you knew that back in 1990’s Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan contributed over 350 Millions to Imran Khan Cancer Appeal by Performing in over 20 countries almost continuously …….

Coming back to this performance , I remember this Concert for an literally alive version of “Tum Ek Gorakh Dhandha Ho” performed on special request of Imran Khan , Special Guests include none other than Amitaab Bacchan and Mike Jagger.

You can also see many other famous people here , (if yo are somehow able to keep  ears off NFAK) like Sting’s Wife. Coming back to the Man himself, as one of our fans wrote in comments , Even though there are many stars present , Nusrat Shines the Most ( Both Visually and Spiritually).

Ya one more thing, a very few of you might be knowing this but Amitaab Bacchan himself became a NFAK fan after attending this night , you can notice him being immensely involved in the Qawwalis unable to hide his excitement (specially during Gorakh Dhandha) .

The other songs performed includes : Allah Hoo, Yeh Jo Halka Halka, Ali Da Malang(twice), Mast Qalandar, Kinna Sonna, Shahbaaz Qalandar ….. aaaah all the greatest stuffed into one performance…

Check Out The Performances Of BQP……

Words Cant Describe their dedication & devotion….

Brooklyn Qawwali Party plays Mustt Mustt [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr4pot6CMXo]

Paying tribute to one of the world’s greatest vocalists, Brooklyn Qawwali Party formed to honor the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, reworking his thunderous songs for an eclectic, eleven-piece orchestra comprised of groundbreaking jazz musicians. Funky, smart, and loving, BQP captures the joyful spirit of this Pakistani folk music in a unique instrumental blend of jazz and Qawwali. With five horns, guitar, bass, harmonium, and three percussionists, this band’s buoyant rhythm will be sure to get you on your feet and clapping.

The ensemble includes: Tony Barba - tenor saxophone Loren Stillman - alto saxophone Ben Holmes - trumpet Ryan Keberle - trombone Brian Drye - trombone Robert Jost - French Horn Noah Jarrett - acoustic bass Mike Gamble - electric guitar Kris Davis - harmonium Conor Elmes - percussion Brook Martinez - drums

Click Here To Listen BPQ best The Extended Biography

A singer does not acquire the nickname “The Voice From Heaven” for no good reason. And anyone that has ever heard Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan knows this moniker to be fitting. Yet Nusrat was more than a singer; he was an ambassador of Sufi/Islamic culture and art, as well as the modern seed of a seven-hundred-year-old lineage of qawwali singers. In his all-too-brief life, he transformed the folk music of Pakistan into something ready for – some would say craved by – global audiences