Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award and honorary membership by the Arts Council Karachi.
The official statement issued by the Arts Council yesterday quoted the 46-year-old as saying: “I am honoured to be accepting this award by the Arts Council, a world-renowned institute of arts and culture. I cannot put my feelings into words for the honour bestowed on me.”
He further added: “Anwar Maqsood is my mentor. He is the legend of words and stories. It is not less than an honour for me to speak in front of him. Ahmad Shah chose beautiful words for my introduction.”
Khan is the first Pakistani musician to have received this honour from the Arts Council Karachi. Previously, the award had been given to Zia Mohyuddin, Anwer Maqsood, Iftikhar Arif, Amar Jaleel and Asad Muhammad Khan.
Sindh Minister for Culture Syed Sardar Ali Shah said there was no grammar of love and music. “The greatest musicians of our time are present among us today; it’s an honour for everyone.” He said the combination of folk and classical music, which was created by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was being maintained by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
“There is an inverted river of music and melody which flowed upwards. It belongs to Abida Parveen and the river of melody flowed straight up and that belongs to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.” “We are proud to present the lifetime achievement award and lifetime membership of Arts Council to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in recognition of his massive achievements,” said Mohammad Ahmed Shah, president of the Arts Council.
Amid the ceremony, Anwar Maqsood had an interesting conversation with Khan as he humorously added, “Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been singing for a long time, but it is surprising to give him this award at this age. He is still very young, and this award should be given to those who are involved in NAB cases.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Khan crooned “Mera Iman Pakistan,” and “Aaj Rang Hai”. Further, he received a standing ovation from the audience. Moreover, the Zaroori Tha remembered his co-performer the late Amjad Sabri.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan s Zaroori Tha hits 1 billion views on YouTube
