Qawwali and playback singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to play for loyal fans in Dubai

We chat with the Pakistani Qawwali and playback singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan ahead of his Dubai performance on Friday.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 25: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performs on stage at O2 Arena on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Little/Redferns via Getty Images)

The popular Pakistani Qawwali singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is also one of the most beloved Bollywood playback singers, specialising in slow, soulful tracks. Between the two genres, he has amassed a huge fan base around the world, which means he’s constantly travelling the globe for concerts. At the end of a year-long world tour covering 30 cities, Khan stops in Dubai for a concert at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday.

“Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a phenomenal artist who has crossed all boundaries with his music – from his most famous Qawwali recordings to the Bollywood hits such as Teri Meri, O Re Piya and Tere Mast Mast Do Nain, his songs are loved by fans of all ages and from all walks of life,” says Samir Ahmed of the Dubai-based Purple Vogue Events, which is organising the concert along with Radio Mirchi.

“He has spent 2013 selling out arena shows all over the world and we are looking forward to welcoming him to Dubai.”

During his live performance, Khan is expected to perform some of his biggest Bollywood hits of recent times, including Mann Ki Lagan (Paap, 2003), Bol Na Halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, 2007), O Re Piya (Aaja Nachle, 2007) and Dagabaaz (Dabangg 2, 2012). He will also pay tribute to his heritage of traditional Sufi and Qawwali music.

This is going to be one of the last musical evenings of 2013 for the desi community. How do you feel, being at the helm of it?

I feel very happy to come back to the UAE. All over the world my fans love my songs and the UAE is the same, it is always a great experience performing in the UAE. I am looking forward to a great show in Dubai and performing everyone’s favourite songs.

What can fans expect?

I will perform all the favourite songs for the audience and I have also added new instruments for my live performances, which they will experience for the first time. My own band travels with me around the world and we have done hundreds of shows – they will be coming back again with me for this show.

I love performing for all my fans around the world. The UAE audience is very special, of course, and I am looking forward to seeing them again.

Why do you think big international names want to come and perform in the UAE?

The UAE is a great place to visit and to perform for any artist. It is a glamorous city which is always busy. There is a large audience here for my music and I am looking forward to a great show, my first full live concert in Dubai in 2013.

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