KARACHI: One of Pakistan’s leading singers, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan leaves his audience completely mesmerized after every performance and has multiple awards to his name. The internationally acclaimed artist has another feather in his cap. Paying tribute to his iconic music career, the Arts Council, Karachi, recently awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award and honorary membership. They held an event at their premises earlier this week to honour the maestro.
Expressing his gratitude on the occasion, the ‘Teri Ore’ singer said, “I am honored to be accepting this award by Arts Council, a world-renowned institute of Arts & Culture. I cannot put my feelings into words for the honor bestowed on me.” Anwar Maqsood was also one of the attendees at this prestigious occasion. Khan said, “Anwar Maqsood is my mentor. He is the legend of words and stories. It is not less than an honor for me to speak in front of him. Ahmad Shah (President, Arts Council) chose beautiful words for my introduction”.
The honor has previously only been given to the legendary British-Pakistani actor and mentor, Zia Mohiyeddin Sahab, writers Amar Jaleel, Asad Muhammad Khan, and Anwar Maqsood, and acclaimed poet Iftikhar Arif. This makes Rahat Fateh Ali Khan the first musician to ever reach such an accomplishment.
“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,” said Syed Sardar Shah, Minister of Culture, who was also in attendance. He also elaborated how there is no grammar of love and music. He added that the greatest musicians of our times are present among us today which is an honor for everyone. According to Ahmed Shah, the combination of folk and classical music which was created by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has only been propelled forward by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
“We are proud to present Lifetime Achievement Award and the Lifetime Membership of Arts Council to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in recognition of his massive achievements,” said Mohammad Ahmed Shah, accompanied by the international producer Salman Ahmed and Secretary Arts Council Ejaz Ahmed Farooqi. On the occasion, Ahmed Shah also suggested the singer’s nomination for Nishan-e-Imtiaz to the government of Pakistan.
Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan concluded the program with a performance of ‘Mera Iman Pakistan’, and ‘Aaj Rang Hai’. The singer was appraised with a standing ovation from the audience.
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