Tribute: 16 NFAK songs for films

By: Omair Alavi Twenty years back, PakistanΓÇÖs biggest icon in modern music Nusrat Fateh Ali passed away at the age of 49, leaving behind a legacy of qawwalis that are still unbeatable today. However, he composed songs and reused his own qawwalis for films in both India and Pakistan, some of which went onto become...

SAMAA | Omair Alavi - Posted: Aug 16, 2017 | Last Updated: 4 years ago

By: Omair Alavi

Twenty years back, PakistanΓÇÖs biggest icon in modern music Nusrat Fateh Ali passed away at the age of 49, leaving behind a legacy of qawwalis that are still unbeatable today. However, he composed songs and reused his own qawwalis for films in both India and Pakistan, some of which went onto become chart-busters during and after his life. LetΓÇÖs go back in time and take a trip down the memory lane with Nusrat Fateh Ali KhanΓÇÖs film numbers.

Mera Ang Ang Tadpe (Tehseen Javed, Humera Channa ΓÇô Jo Darr Gaya Wo Marr Gaya ΓÇô 1995)

Nusrat Fateh Ali KhanΓÇÖs first song for a Pakistani film was a gem and remains popular even to this day, although the new lot may not have heard about it.

Thoda Sa Pagla Thoda Sayana (Asha Bhonsle ΓÇô Aur Pyaar Hogaya ΓÇô 1997)

Combine Aishwariya Rai’s beauty and Asha Bhonsle’s vocals and you get beauty that is unmatched … the song proved to be the golden entry of future Mrs. Abhishek Bachchan in films and since then, she has been going up, up and away!

Meri Saanson Main Basa Hai (Udit Narayan ΓÇô Aur Pyaar Hogaya ΓÇô 1997)

https://youtu.be/OaefqJhf9HE

Not many remember this tandem by Alka Yagnik but it still has the same impact as the male version. In fact, whenever it is played on TV or radio, people wonder where this song was hiding all those years!

Meri Saanson Main Basa Hai (Alka Yagnik ΓÇô Aur Pyaar Hogaya ΓÇô 1997)

https://youtu.be/bwZloKZo3Ts

Not many remember this tandem by Alka Yagnik but it still has the same impact as the male version. In fact, whenever it is played on TV or radio, people wonder where this song was hiding all those years!

Ek Din Kahin (Sonu Nigam ΓÇô Aur Pyaar Hogaya ΓÇô 1997)

https://youtu.be/tgBNgrY_Tj8

This song was a rehashed version of Nusrat Fateh Ali KhanΓÇÖs qawwali Aa Jane Man but the way it was rendered by Sonu Nigam made it popular amongst the youngsters.

Hum Se Raho Gay Kia (Sonu Nigam ΓÇô Aur Pyaar Hogaya ΓÇô 1997)

Sonu Nigam became a sensation when he arrived on the music scene in the 90s and this song further consolidated his position as the future superstar.

Koi Janay Koi Na Janay (Udit Narayan, Anuradha Paudwal, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ΓÇô Aur Pyaar Hogaya ΓÇô 1997)

https://youtu.be/rHjh9lpcaAs

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan made a rare appearance in this mehndi song where he was accompanied by Udit Narayan and Anuradha Paudwal ΓǪ the song may be 20 years old but it still makes you tap your feet.

Dil Pardesi Hogaya (Lata Mangeshkar, Kumar Sanu ΓÇô Kachche Dhaage ΓÇô 1999)

Kachche Dhaage was Nusrat Fateh Ali KhanΓÇÖs second major film in Bollywood as a music composer and he excelled by delivering chartbusters. This film had him collaborating with Lata Mangeshkar and Kumar Sanu, two iconic Indian playback singers for the first time.

Khali Dil Nahi (Hans Raj Hans, Alka Yagnik ΓÇô Kachche Dhaage ΓÇô 1999)

Yes, this Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan composition will still give the new age music composers a competition, a tough one too!

Pal Do Pal (Humera Channa, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan ΓÇô Pal Do Pal ΓÇô 1999)

Finally, there was a film in Pakistan that had all the songs composed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan became popular with this track.

Sajna Tere Pyaar Mein (Shazia Manzoor, Tehseen Javed ΓÇô Pal Do Pal ΓÇô 1999)

Undoubtedly, the best pair for a romantic song ΓÇô Shazia Manzoor and Tehseen Javed ΓÇô collaborated with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for this number that became a huge hit when the film was released.

Ishq Ka Rutba (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ΓÇô Pal Do Pal ΓÇô 1999)

This song featured in both Pal Do Pal and Kartoos, Nusrat Fateh Ali KhanΓÇÖs two releases after his death ΓÇô in the Pakistani version it was filmed on veteran actor Ghulam Mohiuddin in what was his last film appearance in a film before Chambaili 15 years later.

Dhol Mahiya (Shazia Manzoor ΓÇô Pal Do Pal ΓÇô 1999)

This romantic number by Shazia Manzoor was played on TV a lot during the late 90s and helped in making the audience curious ahead of the filmΓÇÖs release.

Baha Na Ansoo (Udit Narayan ΓÇô Kartoos ΓÇô 1999)

This rehashed version of Wohi Khuda Hai became quite popular when Kartoos was released, thanks to Udit NarayanΓÇÖs wonderful vocals.

Gham Hai Ya Khushi (Alka Yagnik ΓÇô Kartoos ΓÇô 1999)

Another qawwali (of the same name) was rehashed here to make it into a romantic number that was brilliantly sung by Alka Yagnik.

Dulhe Ka Sehra (Dhadkan ΓÇô 2000)

This qawwali was supposed to be filmed on Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan but after his untimely death at 49, the song was filmed on veteran actor Kader Khan who dressed as a baba to look the part. Interestingly, Nadeem ΓÇô Shravan who were famous for lifting NFAK songs for their films, composed this song!