Today is the 61 birthday of world renowned vocalist and musician Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who gave a new dimension to Qawali by fusing eastern and western musical instruments. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on October 13, 1948 in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistan. He featured in Time magazine’s 2006 list of ‘Asian Heroes’. Khan teamed with Peter Gabriel, Canadian musician Michael Brook, Pearl Jam and lead singer Eddie Vedder in 1995 on two songs for the soundtrack to Dead Man Walking. His album Intoxicated Spirit was nominated for a Grammy award in 1997 for best traditional folk album.We Must give tribute to him.He made our name in foreign countries.

Khan was taken ill with kidney and liver failure on August 11, 1997 in London, England while on the way to Los Angeles in order to receive a kidney transplant. He died of a sudden cardiac arrest at Cromwell Hospital, London, on Saturday, August 16, 1997, aged 48. His body was returned to Faisalabad, Pakistan and his funeral was attended by the public.

Even, After his death, the song “Solemn Prayer”, on which Nusrat provided vocals, was used by Peter Gabriel on his album Up and in the soundtrack to the film Blood Diamond.