Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a Pakistani singer and musician, born in 1974 in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, and known primarily for Qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufis. He also performs ghazals and other light music. He comes from a family of traditional musicians and is the son of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan and the nephew of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Background and training

He is trained in classical music and Qawwali by his uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His first public performance takes place at the age of eleven. He tours extensively and performs in Pakistan, India, and elsewhere around the world.

Collaborations and soundtrack work

In 1995, he contributes vocals to the soundtrack of the Hollywood film Dead Man Walking in collaboration with Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. In 2002, he works on the soundtrack of Four Feathers with the composer James Horner. That same year, he appears as a guest with The Derek Trucks Band on the song “Maki Madni” from Joyful Noise. His vocals also feature on the soundtrack of Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto.

Bollywood and film songs

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is associated with a number of Hindi and Punjabi film songs, including “Laal” from Alaap, “Man ki Laghan” from Paap (2004), “Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaye” from Kalyug (2005), “Naina Thug Lain Ge” from Omkara (2006), “Jag Soona Soona Lage” from Om Shanti Om (2007), “O Re Piya” from Aaja Nachle (2007), “Main Jahaan Rahoon” from Namastey London (2007), “Bol Na Halke Halke” from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007), “Haal-e-Dil” from Haal-e-Dil (2008), “Koi Chala Ja Raha Hai” from Woodstock Villa (2008), “Teri Ore” from Singh Is Kinng (2008), “Jaau Kaha” from Billu Barber (2009), “Aankhon Mein Kyon” from Dekh Bhai Dekh (2009), “Ajj Din Chadheya” from Love Aaj Kal (2009), and “Jag Jeondeyan De Mele” from the Punjabi film Jag Jeondeyan De Mele (2009).

Albums

He releases the album Charkha in 2008.