Rahat Fateh Ali Khan declares 2018 'Year of Qawwali', plans 100 shows across the world

Planned performances aim to bring the poetry of sub-continental sufi saints back to life

ISLAMABAD: Renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has gone back to his roots and announced his plan to hold 100 qawwali mehfils [gatherings] across the globe.

According to a private news channel , the singer, who is the nephew of the maestro Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, wants to celebrate 2018 as the year of qawwali.

"I am basically a qawwal and the poetry of sufi saints runs in my veins. Qawwali is at the heart of our family traditions, and my ancestors have worked hard to develop this genre of music and introduce it to the world.”



“Qawwali and I are inseparable. It runs in my blood. Whatever I am performing, qawwali is always at the heart of it. It gives me the unique edge in all the music that I do," he added.

Appreciating the contributions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to the world of music, Khan said, “The world of music has not seen a qawwal that is parallel to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He glorified the art of qawwali and took the art of international audiences. He won many awards and accolades for his performances.”

The 100 concerts seek to pay a tribute to the lasting legacy of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, according to Rahat. The shows will be held in different countries such as United States, Canada, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Nepal, Bangladesh, and of course, Pakistan.



“2018 will be celebrated as the year of the Qawali,” shared Salman Ahmed - promoter of the singer's concert tours at a press conference.

“The qawwalis of the famous poets and saints of the sub-continent will be brought back to life.”