New Delhi: A video of Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s 20-year-old son Shahzaman singing at a US concert has reignited memories of his legendary granduncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. If you close your eyes, it’s almost as if you’re at a live performance by a young Nusrat.
Shahzaman was performing on stage at his father’s concert at MGM National Harbour in Washington DC on 5 May.
The clip went viral and soon, fans from India and Pakistan started making similar observations. Shahzaman is now being hailed as ‘Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan 2.0’.
Khan is a popular name in South Asian music, mainly qawwali and ghazal across the continent, and even beyond.
The raw, sonorous voice of Shahzaman took them back to the days of Nusrat. Several social media users commented that the legacy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is continuing in the voice of Shahzaman.
Some also observed although Shahzaman’s voice resembles his granduncle’s but he isn’t there yet.
Yes, so good! I watched a video earlier and it was such a delight. He isn’t there yet of course, but absolutely his voice reminds of the Maestro! Incredible 😍 https://t.co/zNfuQBvONB
— Sitara Noor ستارہ نور (@NoorSitara) May 29, 2023
NFAK will forever remain in a league in his own but this kid did remind me of the King of Qawalli. He’s getting there. https://t.co/LoFC1opmJi pic.twitter.com/eVStlvhPPP
— Sofia (@sophiiieee__) May 30, 2023
Also read: A star is born in Pakistan—Ustad Chahat Fateh Ali Khan
Carrying forward the legacy
Shahzaman’s first stage appearance with his father was at a concert in Doha in 2016. He was 13 at the time and did not perform. It was only six years later at a concert in London in September 2022 that fans heard him sing. This was when Rahat introduced him as the newest band member.
Immediately, newspapers in Pakistan commented on the uncanny resemblance with his famous granduncle.
“The young man is talented and has a long way to go, for sure. But tell you what: when he hits the high notes, he sounds a bit like his granduncle Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. A chhotay ustaad is in the making,” Dawn wrote in 2022.
In another video, shared by the official handle of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shahzaman was seen rehearsing the same song while sitting on the seat where his father usually sits while performing. In the caption, Shahzaman said, “What a great dad he is. Let’s me occupy his seat as he takes mine, knowing that I still have to earn this seat but how he still willingly wants me to see on this seat. How blessed I am to have a father and an Ustad like my dad.”
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan enthralled audiences beyond borders with his pitch-perfect voice, which had a certain rawness yet perfection of Indian classical notes and variations.
From Afreen Afreen to Tumhe Dillagi and Sanson ki Maala, each song is a masterclass in itself. The Ustad passed away at the age of 48 but his legacy has been carried forward by his nephew Rahat, who made a name for himself by singing renditions of his uncle’s song as well as some famous Bollywood songs like O Re Piya, Bol Na Halke Halke.
Young Shahzaman will now carry the legacy of the Qawwal Bachchon ka Gharana, said to be started by Amir Khusro in Delhi. It has produced legendary singers like Fateh Ahmed Khan, Ustad Bade Mohammad Khan, Ustad Bade Mubarak Ali Khan.