Khan, Nusrat Fateh Ali (1938-1997), was a distinguished Pakistani classical singer. He was a superb representative of the Patiala Gharana, a style of singing enhanced by his rich, vibrant tremolo and cultured tone. The style is rich, fresh, and in line with the tradition of South Asian music. In 1969, he received the Pride of Performance Award, Pakistan’s highest award in the field of performing arts, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to classical music.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on Oct. 13, 1948, in Patiala, East Punjab. His family had provided devotional singers in the Islamic religious tradition called Sufism for 600 years. Trained by his father, he started singing in concerts with his elder brother at the age of 10. He died on Aug. 16, 1997.
