On Tuesday evening, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was honored for his services to music. The music maestro has been awarded the lifetime achievement award and an honorary membership by the Arts Council of Pakistan.
A ceremony was held at the Arts Council in Karachi, which was attended by Sindh Minister for Culture Syed Sardar Ali Shah and playwright Anwar Maqsood.
The minister in his speech said that Rahat has carried forward the legacy of his uncle, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who combined classical and folk music. He also said that a concert featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen will be organised in Karachi to send out a message of peace to the world.
In a recorded message, the maestro expressed his joy on receiving the honorary award and said,
“I am grateful to the Arts Council and dedicate this award to my family, friends, and fans in Pakistan. My services and hard work will be for Pakistanis and the Arts Council.”
The Arts Council of Pakistan in another social media post wrote,
“It was an honour for ACP President & Governing Body Members to present the Lifetime Achievement Award and Honourary Membership to Living Legend Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan who planted a tree at our premises to showcase his solidarity with ACP.”
Rahat began his career at the age of three, performing and studying under the tutelage of his uncle, also known as the “King of Qawwali”. In 2019, he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Oxford.
ALSO READ
Is Atif Aslam’s ‘Pehli Nazar Mein’ a Rip Off of a Korean Song?
