‘Ustad’ set to mesmerise SA
ONLY a few people, including a Pakistani-born singer whose echoing voice has churned out both passion and pain in his recent music, have been bestowed the Urdu title, “Ustad”.
Maestro, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, is set to return to South Africa for concerts later this month.
“Ustad” refers to a highly-skilled musician in the Urdu language.
Khan, 43, the descendant of legendary Pakistani Qawali and Ghazal musicians, is scheduled to perform at the Durban ICC and Emperors Palace, in Johannesburg, on April 20 and 21 respectively, in what is being called “the world’s biggest Qawali tour”.
Qawali music is a type of devotional music popular in Pakistan.
It includes a blend of Persian and Indian poetry, philosophy and religious expression.
Khan previously performed in South Africa on his 2014 “Voice from Heaven” tour.
His social media team said Khan’s return to the country was due to huge public demand, and would include a variety of classical Qawali and Bollywood music.
Among the “Ustad’s” recent popular film songs are Teri Mast Mast Do Nain, Teri Meri, Surili Akhiyon Wale and Jag Ghoomeya.
Khan clinched several awards for various genres of music, including at international film festivals.
In 2014, Khan, who had been in music training with his uncle since he was a child, became the first Pakistani to perform at a Nobel Peace Prize concert in Norway.
At the glittering ceremony he performed Qawali pieces created by his uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who was a celebrated musician in his home country.
Through publicist Monica Steyn, the Blu Blood team, which is hosting the concerts, said: “Rahat carries a message of love, peace and spirituality in his music, and has been mesmerising audiences around the globe for over three decades.”
Tickets are R250 and can be purchased through Computicket.