Introduction

Hailing from a family of traditional musicians, primarily of Qawwali, a devotional music of the Sufis, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was born in 1974 in Faisalabad. The son of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat was trained by his world renowned uncle

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan


Professional Achievements

Hailing from a family of traditional musicians, primarily of Qawwali, a devotional music of the Sufis, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was born in 1974 in Faisalabad. The son of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat was trained by his world renowned uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in the art of classical music and Qawwali. In addition to Qawwali, he also performs ghazals and other light music. He is also a playback singer in Bollywood and Pakistan film industry.

He was chosen by his uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for tutoring in the traditions of Qawwali music and was singing with his uncle and father by the age of three. At the age of seven Rahat Fateh Ali began formal training with his uncle and he performed first time in public at the age of only nine at the death anniversary of his grandfather, the famous Qawwali singer Fateh Ali Khan. From age fifteen, he was made an integral part of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's famous qawwali group.

Rahat Fateh Ali toured the UK with his uncle in 1985, and performed solo songs in addition to singing with the Qawwali group. At a concert in Birmingham on 27 July 1985, he performed the solo ghazal, Mukh Tera Sohneya Sharab Nalon Changa Ae. At a concert at the Harrow Leisure Centre in 1985, he performed the solo song, Gin Gin Taare Lang Gaiyaan Rattaan.

Rahat sang Bollywood playback in the 90s and debuted as a playback singer in Bollywood with the movie Paap (2003), featuring the hit song, Mann Ki Lagan. His recent works include Pakistani nationalistic songs such as Dharti Dharti and Hum Pakistan, and songs from Bollywood films. He has performed in Pakistan, India, United Kingdom and other countries. In April 2012 Rahat Ali toured in the UK, performing at Wembley Arena and the Manchester Arena, playing to a combined audience of over 20,000 people.

In a subordinate role with his uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, working in collaboration with Eddie Vedder, of the American rock band, Pearl Jam, Rahat Ali contributed to the soundtrack of the 1995 Hollywood film, Dead Man Walking. In 2002, he worked on the soundtrack of The Four Feathers in collaboration with the American composer of orchestral and film music, James Horner. In 2002, Rahat Ali guested with The Derek Trucks Band on the song Maki Madni for Trucks' album, Joyful Noise. In 2006, his vocals were featured on the soundtrack of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto.

Rahat Fateh Ali became the first Pakistani to be invited at 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, to perform at its concert. He performed Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's most memorable qawwali Tumhe Dillagi and Mast Qalandar. He also sang Aao Parhao – Jo Seekha hai woh sab ko seekhao (Come Teach – Teach all that you have learnt).

Pakistan Day was celebrated for the first time at the United Nations General Assembly Hall on 23 March 2016. At the occasion a concert titled "Sufi Night - Music of Peace" was organized. The sole performer at the concert was Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Diplomats from 140 countries were present in the concert.

Rahat has appeared for multiple times in the popular musical show Coke Studio. He appeared for the first time in season 1, where he collaborated with singer Ali Azmat for the track Garaj Baras. He then appeared in season 8, this time with Abida Parveen. Rahat Ali was also a part of season 9, where he generated the hit song "Afreen Afreen" along with Momina Mustehsan, then also he sang along with Amjad Sabri. Rahat Ali Khan also appeared on MTV Unplugged with a new compositions of the Qawalis sung by himself and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.