Pakistan’s most prominent music platform Coke Studio was in much debate on the selection of a few artists and a couple of songs in the current season. Specifically, when Salman Ahmed of Junoon band attempted to improvise one of the most popular numbers, Sayonee with Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (RFAK) and Ali Noor of Noori band. The song received much criticism from fans over social media. Last night, when RFAK was asked about his views on the song, he said he liked the song and complained about the anti-Pakistan music views.
After completing a successful tribute tour last year in honour of legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, his successor and music maestro himself, RFAK is set kick of his UK tour from September 7, 2017 in Yorkshire. Before that, Khan will also perform in Rotterdam, Copenhagen and Oslo from September 1st to 3rd respectively. In this regard, he organised a press conference in Karachi last night.
When asked about his views on Sayonee, RFAK told that he always liked the song because this was the number that converted Junoon to Sufi music. “It was related to my voice, I personally liked it much regardless if some didn’t like it,” told RFAK. Following this, a journalist asked how would he take the negative feedback on the song, it was then when the legendary Qawwal complained about anti-Pakistan music views. “There are anti-Pakistan music reviews, and if we take songs of legends, it a tribute to them. We should not debate on how someone is singing,” he said. “We only got music left which is free from wars,” he added.
Just recently, Oxford University honoured RFAK and named a music room on his name. The legend also had the honour to perform at Google headquarters and The United Nations General Assembly Hall in 2016.
