"I, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan,I am a sinner,
a man of heart impure and dark,
it is like a mantle that is dotted
with spots of stain and dirt.
The recital of Allah's Name purifies the heart, thats what I do all the time, recite the words. This is my job, my task, my favorite hobby.
I am a fakir, a beggar for Allah and wander the streets shouting His Name.
Remember God in pain, in pleasure; He will wash away the pain.
People remember God only when they are in adversity, if they remember Him in good times, they will never have pain and will never experience adversity." - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, 'A Voice from Heaven'.
A Voice From Heaven (2001) is a documentary made in the beloved memory of legendary sufi qawwali singer, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Filmed in Pakistan, India, Canada and United States, A Voice From Heaven is a tribute to one of the most beautiful voices in the century: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the king of Qawwali. The story interweaves excellent Nusrat performance footage and a rare behind the scene glimpse into Nusrat's life. Interviews conducted with the many friends, artists and producers with whom Nusrat has collaborated with, including Rick Rubin, Michael Brook, Bally Sagoo and the Asian Dub Foundation, tell the story of a man and his music of peace and spiritual love.
"It just seemed like, the music would start and something would open in him and this beautiful sound would come out ... its just fantastic." - Rick Rubin, President of American Recordings.
"There is an element in Qawwali, I think part of the goal is to induce ecstasy in people, as it is in Gospel Music. I think they are very similar actually. And I think in order to do that there needs a high degree of passion." - Michael Brook
The documentary traces the life and music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and include interviews with Nusrat and musicians who helped bring his work to Western audiences, explorations of the tradition and philosophy of Pakistani music, and a performance by Nusrat's son, Rahat Ali Khan.
"Yes, you've got to sing from the depths of the heart."
- Nusrat F. A. Khan
[>] Watch the Documentary via Youtube: Voice from Heaven, part 1
part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / part 6 / part 7 / part 8
. NY Times Review of Voice from Heaven
. DVD from Amazon
also,
. Michael Brook visits Nusrat
. Intoxicated, Nusrat Fateh Ali and Michael Brook
. Raag and Nusrat
. Nusrat Interview in Urdu
. Nusrat tells what is Qawwali: Qawaali is the Qaul (expression, saying) of the Buzurg (Mystics, Enlightened souls, sages).
. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Yadan Vichre Sajan Diyan Aiya with english subtitle
. Nusrat Fateh Ali, Live in Concert
. The Spirit of Nusrat Fateh Ali
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