Having completed a series of concerts globally to pay tribute to the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan embarking to “JUST QAWALI Tour 2018” to bring back Qawali to its old galore through a series of 100 concerts around the world with poetry of the famous poets and sufis from the subcontinent.
Similar to 2017 when a befitting tribute was given to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan through a series of concerts across the globe, 2018 from March onwards will be celebrated as the year of the Qawali.
The tour is called “JUST QAWALI 2018” and 100 Qawal mehfils are planned in America, Canada, UK, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan and some more countries. The details were disclosed by Salman Ahmed, CEO PME at a press conference in Karachi. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan also attended the media briefing.
Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan speaking to the media said: “I am basically a Qawal and the poetry of the sufi’s runs in my veins. Qawali 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. The world of Music has not seen a Qawal that is parallel to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He glorified the art of Qawali and took the art to international audiences. Qawali and I are inseparable. It gives me the unique edge in all the music that I do.”
He further said that he had noticed that his Qawali’s are appreciated more than Bollywood numbers in live concerts. Hence based on the preference of his fans, he has decided to celebrate 2018 as Year of the Qawali.
To further celebrate Qawali, Ustad Rahat Faheh Ali Kahn will also be releasing a new album this year based on the art.