Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, a renowned Pakistani singer, and musician. He is known for his singing talent, melodious voice, and Sufi’s devotional music, and Qawwali. Khan is regarded as one of the highest-paid singers in Pakistan. He is the nephew of the great, legendary, iconic singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and a son of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan.
Khan mainly sings ghazals, light music, qawwali, and also sings heart-touching songs as a playback singer for Bollywood and Pakistan film industry.
Career
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been in the field of music since the age of 9. First, he performed on the death anniversary of his grandfather. Later, he became part of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s well-known Qawwali group and visited the UK with his uncle in 1985. It was the time when he was just 15 years old.
Throughout his music career, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performed solo songs at different live concerts and is also associated with the Qawwali group.
He has a massive fan following at the national and international levels. He is famous in India as well where Khan has earned much respect and fame just after making a debut soundtrack ‘Mann Ki Lagan’ for the film named ‘Paap’ starring John Abraham.
Gradually, he started performing and singing for many Bollywood movies as a playback singer. Additionally, he has been singing as a playback singer for Pakistani television serials as well.
he legendary singer is also known for his title song ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’ for Pakistani most-watched serial ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’, starring Ayeza Khan, Humayun Saeed, and Adnan Siddiqui.
However, there are innumerable music credits associated with his music career. And this led him to earn much respect and fame in his life.
Achievements
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is the winner of many awards and honors. Among various notable awards and honors, he won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. And this is one of the greatest achievements.
RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN EARLY LIFE
Rahat was born in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, into a Punjabi family of Qawwals and classical vocalists. He is Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan’s son, Fateh Ali Khan’s grandson, and the nephew of famed Qawwali vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Rahat loved music from an early age and was frequently seen singing with his uncle and father when he was only three. His uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan had been training him in singing Qawwali since he was seven years old.
RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN’S CAREER
Rahat made his public debut during the death anniversary of his grandpa when he was nine years old. He has been a member of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s well-known qawwali ensemble since age fifteen. He visited the United Kingdom with his uncle in 1985. In addition to his positions in the Quawalli ensemble, he played solo songs at several shows. He made his Bollywood debut as a playback singer in the song “Mann Ki Lagan” from the film Paap (2003). Rahat toured the United Kingdom in April 2012, performing at Wembley Arena and the Manchester Arena to a combined crowd of nearly 20,000 people, setting a record for highest ticket sales. After two years, the song “Zaroori Tha” from the album Back 2 Love (2014) became the first original non-film music video from the Indian subcontinent to reach 100 million views on YouTube and 200 million views within three years. It eventually surpassed 1 billion views. He also often tours with Leo Twins from Nescafé Basement.
RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN PERSONAL LIFE
In 2011, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan married for the first time. Nida Rahat is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s wife, who is lovely. Rahat and Nida now have two children, a daughter named Maheen Khan and a son named Shazmaan Khan.
A Family of Singers
Both Rahat’s father, Farukh Fateh Ali Khan, and his grandfather, Fateh Ali Khan, were notable qawwali artists in their own right. It was his uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, however, that earned the most fame and notoriety. From the age of three, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan could be found singing with his father and famous uncle. Around the age of seven, his uncle Nusrat began his professional training. Rahat’s intense love of music gave him the desire to learn and from the beginning, was a willing student. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan continued to learn from his uncle, both on stage and in private, until his passing in 1997.
Growing Up with Sufi Devotional Music
As the leader of the Ali Khan family Qawwali group, Farukh introduced his son Rahat Fateh Ali Kahn to music at a very early age. This exposure to Qawwali music inspired him to follow in the footsteps of the other Ali Khan men. Farukh was an experienced musician, playing the harmonium and as a vocalist as well. Referred to as the “King of the Harmonium”, Farukh often accompanied his brother Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan when he went on tour. Nusrat eventually revealed that many of the Qawwali songs he performed were written by his brother Farukh. As Rahat grew older, it was apparent he gained the music skills of his uncle, as well as the songwriting ability of his father. Rahat, in turn, gave his uncle credit for being his most powerful influence. As he continued to move forward with his career, he always gave credit to his uncle and father for teaching him the things he needed to know to be a powerful Qawwali singer.
Touring at an early Age with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Many times, the young Rahat Fateh Ali Khan would accompany his father and uncle when they went on tour. It was during these trips that Nusrat began grooming his nephew to be a professional musician. He taught him the subtle nuances that would allow him to embrace the music he loved so much. From the time he started traveling with his father and uncle, Rahat’s passion for Qawwali music continued to grow until he began branching out on his own. The training he received from his uncle, gave Rahat the skills he needed to start playing professionally on his own as early as the age of 15. By touring with both his father and his uncle, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan began to learn the importance of a solid stage presence. As a Qawwali singer, he has been able to use the skills his family taught him to become a powerful performer both on stage and off.
Sudden fame and pressure after Nusrat’s death in 1997
In 1997, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan passed away, leaving Rahat to pick up where he had left off and lead the family party. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan continued to work with his father as they carried on the family’s musical legacy. In 2018, he was challenged by Nusrat’s daughter over the right to sing many of her father’s songs. As the chosen successor of the family party, Rahat maintained that he had the right to sing the songs, and permission was not needed. He continues to perform the Qawwali songs and carries on the traditions started by his father, uncle, and grandfather.
From Qawwali to Sufi Songs to Bollywood
While much of Rahat’s musical background was firmly secured in Qawwali music, his family exposed him to other types of music as well. He branched out on his own, learning many Sufi songs and exploring his musical talents. In 2003, Rafat Fateh Ali Khan began working at Bollywood as a playback singer. His versatility allowed him to transition from one type of music to another, making him one of the most sought-after musicians in the Middle East. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s musical abilities have allowed him to be able to transition from one type of music to another seamlessly and without hesitation. Much like his uncle, who was considered to be one of the best singers, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan continues to hone his skills and perfect his art.
