Rahat to launch tribute concert for Nusrat across globe, minus India

Singer to perform 48 international shows to gather funding for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Music Academy

LAHORE: Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan may not be as legendary as his late uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, but his plans to create talent in Pakistan by launching a music academy is sure to have his name written down in history. The fact is, even though Pakistan doesn’t lack talent, it certainly does fail to provide a successful platform to talented singers. Luckily, things might change in the future, thanks to Rahat and his training academy, which is yet to be built.



At a recently-held press conference held Rahat Fateh Ali Khan announced to set up the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Music Academy in Lahore for young music learners.

“I had been thinking of building this academy since many years,” he shared. “I contacted many local and foreign singers who are willing to contribute by teaching music to the students once the academy is set up.”

The renowned qawwal Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died at the age of 48 in the year 1997, but his music is remembered world over to date.

Regarding how the academy will be set up, Rahat said, “Since he passed away at 48, I plan to hold 48 concerts to pay a tribute to him. All the money I collect from the concerts will be spent in the construction of the music academy. The concerts will begin from January 2017, and the last concert will be organised in the month of September, in London.”

The first of the 48 concerts will be held in Faisalabad, mainly because it was the home town of Nusrat and Rahet Fateh Ali Khan. The last concert will take place in the UK, due to the fact that the singer has many fans there. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan spent the last days of his life in UK, where he would often perform.

Commenting on who will be performing with him during the tour, he said “I have requested Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Atif Aslam and many others to join me in these concert.”

The singer, who has sung many tracks for Bollywood movies, surprisingly has no concert set up for India. “My country’s respect is important to me, so I don’t plan to organise an event in India yet,” he said.



The Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Music Academy will include music classes of all genres including classical music, Qawali and other contemporary forms.

“Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was not just a legend, he was also my teacher,” shared Rahat. “I learnt a lot from him during the events we performed at together.”

Also present at the press conference was Shaan Shahid, who was more than keen to share his thoughts on the venture. “Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan promoted love and unity through his music, and Rahat has the same goal with the concerts and the vision of the academy. All of us should support him in giving life to his dream.”

 

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