Sufi, Qawwal singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan would have been 68 today. The musical genius gave the some incredible music in his lifetime- some of which are still remembered, sung and adapted.
One of the greatest singers of his generation in the genre of qawwali, Khan brought the modest form of devotional singing to international attention. He collaborated with and influenced countless musicians.
While he composed music for only three films in India, his music was blatantly copied by Indian composers in the early 1990s. Most of them were blockbuster hits. Here is a look at 5 songs that Indian composers copied from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and also original ones.
Mera Piya Ghar Aaya
Music Composer: Anu Malik
Film: Yaarana
The original
Kitna Pyara Tujhe Rab Ne Banaya
Music Composer: Nadeem-Shravan
Film: Raja Hindustan
The original
Mujhe Ek Pal Chain Na Awe
Music Composer: Nadeem-Sharavan
Film: Judaai
The original
Kisika Yaar Na Bichde
Music Composer: Nadeem Shravan
Film: Shreeman Ashique
The original
Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai
Music Composer: Vedpal
Film: Souten Ki Beti
The original
Of course, for us Indians, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Afreen Afreen remains one of the best songs by the meastro which recently his nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan brought back into focus with his soulful tribute on Pakistan's Coke Studio Season 9. And no list is perhaps complete without this beautiful song. Written by Javen Akhtar, the original song was composed and sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
The new version has been sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan.