Sufi Music, Not Bollywood

TOI Music Editor, "Rahat likes Delhi’s tastes" - The Times of India - India
Monday, June 9, 2008

Has the Delhi audience learnt to behave itself? Rahat Fateh Ali Khan would certainly think so!

In a packed house at a function in the capital recently, he started his performance with classical and Sufi, and members of the audience started off with their requests.

Knowing how well his film songs have been received over the years, Rahat couldn’t help but comply.

So, after Lagan Lagi Tumse and Main Jahaan Rahoon, as more requests poured in from excited fans, the singer also managed to hear lone voices requesting for Sufi songs.

“We’ve come to hear Sufi music, not Bollywood,” shouted a lady at the top of her voice. And that was something Rahat picked up.

He politely told the crowd that he had to keep the diktats of the organisation that had invited him in mind.
And continued his programme with his numerous Sufi songs and ghazals.

And no, lovers of film music did not leave the hall. They sat listening to each rendition, and encouraged him with thundering applauses inbetween.

Said a member of Rahat’s troupe, “This is something that any artiste aspires for – appreciation from music lovers who want not just Bollywood, but good music. Khan saab is very happy”.