ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s legendary classical singer Ustad Fateh Ali Khan has died after a protracted illness. He was 92.
Fateh Ali Khan, the brother of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, had been battling lungs disease for some years. He was hospitalized in Islamabad.
His body was taken to Lahore on a special flight on Wednesday.
Born in 1935, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan was amongst the foremost Khyal vocalists alive today in Pakistan, and a leading exponent of the Patiala Gharana (stylistic lineage).
Patiala Gharana
Founded by their forefathers Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Ali Bakhsh Khan, the Patiala Gharana (stylistic lineage or style of singing) is one of the most prominent vocal classical music families of the subcontinent famous for ghazal, thumri and khayal.
Musicians of the Gharana, patronised by the royal family of Patiala state of Indian Punjab became famous for their execution of intricate taals. Ek taal and Teen Taal are most frequently chosen by members of the gharana.
