Ustad NFAK’s lost album finds new light

ritish Council is playing an instrumental role in unveiling the long-awaited Chain of Light album, by the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This collaborative project with Pakistan’s Saiyna Bashir Studios and Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records aims to revive a musical masterpiece, which was originally produced in 1990.

As part of this initiative, Saiyna Bashir Studios is also producing a documentary biopic titled Ustad, which will offer masterclasses for Pakistani music artists and professionals later in 2024. The documentary is set for release in late 2025.

Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director of British Council Pakistan, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “Chain of Light is more than just a rediscovered album; it’s a bridge between Pakistan and the world. We hope to celebrate Ustad NFAK’s legacy and the universal language of music that unites us all.”

The global launch events for Chain of Light kicked off in Pakistan on August 27th in Islamabad, followed by Lahore on August 29th and Karachi on August 31st. The tour will then continue to Manchester and Birmingham in the UK, Paris, France, and conclude with the official album launch in London on September 20th.

A short video produced by Saiyna Bashir Studios were screened at the Chain of Light launch events, recounting the fascinating story behind the discovery of this lost album. The video will also be released online.

Attendees had the opport-unity to catch a special teaser of the upcoming documentary, Ustad, which delves into the life and legacy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a legendary voice in musical history, played a pivotal role in introducing qawwali, Sufi devotional music, to Western audiences.

He collaborated with renow-ned international musicians like Peter Gabriel, Eddie Vedder, and Michael Brook, and his powerful vocals have graced the sound-tracks of acclaimed films. Nusrat’s legacy continues to resonate today, as evidenced by his popularity on streaming platforms like Spotify.

According to Spotify Analytics, a significant portion of his listeners are young adults, with 37% falling between the ages of 18 and 22 and 24% aged 23 to 27. The 28-34 age group and listeners under 18 each comprise 14% of his audience on the platform.

Islamabad-based Saiyna Bashir Studios has dedicated the past three years to researching, developing, and securing fund-ing for Ustad, a documentary that delves into the life, music, and enduring legacy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The team has conducted extensive interviews with some of Nusrat’s closest collaborators, including Peter Gabriel and Michael Brook, as well as biographers, ethnomusi-cologists, childhood friends, physicians, secretaries, and his dedicated tabla accompanist.

Rashid Ahmed Din, Nusrat’s manager and translator, who also translated the lyrics for the Chain of Light album, was inter-viewed for the documentary.

Chain of Light features previously unreleased record-ings of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and his qawwali party, captured at Real World Studios in 1990. Painstakingly restored from the original analogue tapes, this lost album includes a flawless rendition of the beloved classic ‘Ya Allah Ya Rehman,’ as well as the only known recording of ‘Ya Gaus Ya Meeran.’