Asad Amanat Ali passes away

Asad Amanat Ali has been an integral part of our childhood memories as he frequently performed on PTV in those days. Even at such distance, separation is very saddening. Like himself, his eminent father and elder brother Amjad also died young.

Taimur

Asad Amanat Ali dies of heart attack

LAHORE, April 8: Semi-classical singer Asad Amanat Ali Khan died of heart attack in London on Sunday, TV channels reported.

Hailing from famous Patiala Gharana, Asad was son of famous musician Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.

His great-grandfather, Ali Bux Khan, was the founder of the Patiala Gharana. His grandfather, Akhtar Hussain, was a prominent musician of his time who added to his repute by coaching two of his sons into becoming a formidable singing duo.

Of the duo Amanat Ali Khan, Asad’s father, died in 1974.

Fateh Ali Khan continues to enthral music-lovers in Pakistan and abroad, even though he had to make certain adjustments to his style after the loss of his partner and elder brother Amanat.

Asad owed much of his early recognition to his late father’s famous numbers.

Quite often his concert would round off with Insha’a Jee utho, abb cooch karo — a song that finds another ironic reference in Asad’s death.

Three famous people associated with the ghazal — Ibn-e-Insha’s as the poet who created it and Amanat Ali and Asad Amanat who sang it — all died relatively young..

Other than music and the family name, Asad inherited from his father a passion to act in films. But the affair was cut short after an unsuccessful attempt.

Asad was given the president’s award for Pride of Performance just two weeks ago, on March 23 2007.—Dawn

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ5TWlrsSxs]
Asad Amanat Ali (poetry: Ibn-e-Insha)
Click here if the video is not viewable.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7br52GPJ-qk]
Shafqat Amanat Ali (modified thumri, previously sung by Amanat Ali)
Click here if the video is not viewable.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV8uS5Ts2_4]
Amanat Ali Khan (poetry: Ibn-e-Insha)
Click here if the video is not viewable.

21 thoughts on “Asad Amanat Ali passes away

  1. This is a shock to classical music lovers, may Allah rest his soul, and grant him janat-ul firdose, ameen. This family is tragedy stricken, as Ustad Amanat also died in his forties, I wonder if Allah needs them more than us.

    Unfortunately their excessive love for alchaol played major part in their early demise. I suppose reason for this is the furnace of training they are put through as children, to achieve such heights.

  2. Excerpt from an essay on Mozart by A. Peter Brown: http://www.mozartproject.org/

    While alcoholic writers are legion, the condition seems rare among composers; it is possible that great music was composed under the influence, but not with such consistency or productivity.

  3. I want to clarify that Amanat Ali Khan died of complications of untreated appendicitis at the age of 42, while his sons Amjad and Asad died in their early 50s owing to what overwhelmingly appears to be a family history of coronary artery disease, and not alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

    Regardless of the cause, I think the alcohol connection owes a great deal to the social element of guilt associated with this substance. In contrast, cigarette smoking remains far more harmful to health without packing a commensurate moral punch.

    Asad Amanat Ali’s funeral was held in Lahore today.

  4. I was not passing a judgement on our great patiala family, I think I am misunderstood by Taimur khan, and I agree with him entirley that tabacco is far more dangerous than alcohol. Who am to be judgemental I am full of weaknesses and faults, as I also indulge in alcohol myself occasionally.

    A correction about the ages of Asad and Amjad Ali, Asad was 49, this was confirmed so, as I spoke to Ustad Ahmad Ali Khan sahib over the phone a few days ago, offering my condolences, Amjad I think was also in late forties when he passed away. I agree with Taimur sahib that a lot of guilt is associated with alcohol, and guilt is a potent force in manipulating the masses. Another reason for their early departures is lack of appreciation by the Pakistani public and the Government, who don’t realize what gems we had, and still have one or two left, who need support and care, in order to carry on their unique traditions.

  5. For people interested in promoting the Patiala Gharana, please help me in organizing concerts for Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.

    This will give the gharana reassurance and encouragement.

    Ustad Fateh Ali has had a bypass surgery and is in his mid-seventies. He has kept his music constant with persistence and love for this art despite the lack of appreciation for over 60 years.

    I am currently trying to arrange a US tour. I am in contact with people in DC. If anyone should represent Pakistan in vocal classical music internationally it should be him.

    We can have concerts in Pakistan also. Lets please give them the treatment and appreciation that they deserve. This is an urgent request.

    Thank you and look forward to hearing from you.

  6. Dear Ms. Rehman,

    How can I contact you to discuss USA concerts for Fateh Ali Khan Sahib. I would love to help in any way I can.

    Thank you,
    Sajjad

  7. Dear Shaukat Hussain,

    Please contact me at bansuriwala63 @ msn dot com

    I think we should get together with helping Miss Rehman.

  8. Dear Shaukat Hussain,

    Please contact me at bansuriwala63 @ msn dot com

    I think we should get together with helping Miss Rehman.

  9. Ustad Amanat Ali Khan

    Kaheen saif rastay mein wo milay tu un se kahan mein udass hoon akaylay meray pass a k rooay.

    My favorite singer, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. I have his complete song collection.

  10. I am a Classical music lover. Best way to appreciate our classical gems is to preserve their music. There are so many recordings of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan at Radio Pakistan and PTV. We should come ahead for the release of those recordings. All the music lovers should be approached for the purchase of those recordings at cost inclusive of the support money for Ustad & his family and the promotion of their art. All help without financial support is not enough. Besides that programmes may organised in far and wide areas of Pakistan. I know that a huge no of classical music listeners lives in remote rural areas of sindh.

  11. I want to ask from any music lover who have the recordings of Ustad Akhter Hussain khan the father of ustad Amanat Ali Khan and Fateh Ali Khan. There are so many recordings of his contemporary classical singers. I think and hope that these recordings should be available and preserved.

  12. as salaamu alaikum,
    inna lillaahi wa inna ilaihi rajioen….

    May Allaah give His Rahmah and forgiveness to the family members of Ustad Fateh Ali Khan. I ask the people who read this message to convey it to Ustad Fateh Ali Khan”

    “Dear ustadji,

    Your life seems to be the longest, your responsibilities the biggest, your sorrow and lost immense. You deserve all the love and respect. I hope your life will be filled with goodness, love and pleasure. Take care of yourself. Your songs, your voice and your life bring tears to my eyes. Allaah haafiz.

    Inayat.

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