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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth13 October 1948

Age48 (at time of death)

BirthplaceFaisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

ProfessionSinger & Music composer

NationalityPakistani

Marital statusMarried

SpouseNaheed Nusrat

FamilyFather - Fateh Ali Khan; Brother - Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan; Nephew - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan; Daughter - Nida Fateh Ali Khan

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Biography

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a Pakistani qawwali singer and composer who brought Sufi devotional music to international audiences. Born in Faisalabad in 1948,

Early life and background

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on 13 October 1948 in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. He came from a family with a long musical lineage that had practiced traditional qawwali singing for many generations. After the 1947 partition his family settled in Faisalabad. His father was Fateh Ali Khan; Nusrat later trained initially on the tabla with his father before concentrating on vocal music under the guidance of his paternal uncles Mubarak Ali Khan and Salamat Ali Khan.

Career

Nusrat succeeded to the leadership of his family’s qawwali party in 1971 following the death of his uncle Mubarak Ali Khan. His first performance as the party leader took place at a music festival organised by Radio Pakistan in Islamabad. Over time he established himself as a pre-eminent qawwali singer, known for powerful vocals and extended improvisations.

He expanded his career onto international stages, performing at events and venues such as the WOMAD festival in London, the Asian Traditional Performing Art Festival in Japan, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. In 1992 he was invited to serve as a visiting artist in the Department of Ethnomusicology at the University of Washington.

Nusrat also worked across musical genres and with international artists. In 1988 he contributed to the soundtrack of The Last Temptation of Christ and subsequently signed with Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records for several albums. His collaborations included work with Eddie Vedder on the song “The Face of Love” for the film Dead Man Walking (1996) and recordings with composer Jonathan Elias on pieces from The Prayer Cycle.

His recordings received critical recognition: in 1997 two of his albums were nominated at the Grammy Awards in categories recognising traditional folk and world music. Nusrat recorded many pieces that became widely known, including performances of songs such as “Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai” and “Dum Mast Qalandar,” and he composed music used in South Asian films. His film work included songs for Bollywood productions and contributions that were later referenced by other composers.

Public profile

Nusrat’s public image combined devotion to Sufi tradition with a willingness to collaborate across cultures. He introduced qawwali to broader international audiences and worked with prominent Western musicians and producers. Within Pakistan and beyond, he is remembered for his vocal range and the emotional intensity of his performances.

Personal life

Nusrat married Naheed Nusrat in 1979. The couple had a daughter, Nida Fateh Ali Khan. His family included his brother Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan and his nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who also pursued a musical career.

Death and legacy

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died on 16 August 1997 in London at the age of 48 from a cardiac arrest. He was buried in Kabootran Wala Qabristan (also known as Jhang Road Graveyard) in Faisalabad. His later recordings, international performances, and collaborations contributed to a lasting global legacy for qawwali and Sufi music.

Latest updates

Posthumously, Nusrat’s work has continued to be celebrated. Artists and composers have cited him in tribute, and his recordings remain influential in both South Asian and world music circles. His wife Naheed Nusrat died in September 2013 in Mississauga, Ontario.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Intoxicated Spirit

Album featuring popular qawwali performances; nominated for a Grammy in 1997 in the traditional folk category.

1997
Night Song

Album nominated for a Grammy in 1997 in the Best World Music Album category.

1997
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Career Highlights

  1. Led the family qawwali party from 1971
  2. Performed internationally at WOMAD, Brooklyn Academy of Music and other major venues
  3. Signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records after contributing to The Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack
  4. Collaborated with Eddie Vedder and Jonathan Elias
  5. Received Grammy nominations in 1997
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan born?

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on 13 October 1948.

What is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan known for?

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is known for singer & Music composer.

What is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s marital status?

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan married to?

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is publicly listed as married to Naheed Nusrat.