The Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
The Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

“Jaania Haania Tu Vi Sikh Ke De Dukh Sukh Polna
Tere Bin, Tere Bin Nahi Lagda Dil Mera Dholna
Tere Bin Nahi Lagda Dil Mera Dholna” – Tere Bin Nahi Lagda”

Today would’ve been celebrated qawwal, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s 63rd birthday. In remembrance here’s a look at some of his most iconic songs.

Jhoole Jhoole Lal

Nusratji currently holds the world record for the highest number of recordings (125 recordings) by a Qawwali artist.

Piya Re Piya Re

TIME magazine featured him in the “60 years of Asian Heroes” as one of the top 12 artists and thinkers. included him as one of the twenty most iconic musicians in the past 50 years in August 2010.

Sanu Ik Pal Chain Na Aave

While he collaborated with numerous western musicians perhaps one of the most famous was his colloration with Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder on two songs for the film Dead Man Walking. The song The Long Road was recently used in Eat, Pray, Love.

Kinna Sohna

Peter Gabriel’s Real World records and his WOMAD festival was responsible for introducing and constantly supporting Nusratji in the western market. The album Intoxicated Spirit won Nusratji a Grammy nomination in 1997 for best traditional folk album.

Afreen Afreen

Nusratji’s legacy lives on through his music and his nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who also took over the reins of their family Qawaali party following Nusratji’s death.

Tere Bin Nayo Lagda

MissMalini Says: My personal favorite has to be this track from Bend it Like Beckham. Everybody’s been there na? xoxo