The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has sent another notice to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (RFAK), seeking an explanation for his alleged bank accounts.
According to reports, the FBR has asked RFAK to submit a reply by January 15. The singer reportedly failed to satisfy the FBR about his alleged bank accounts, after he was served with the initial notice in December 2020.
The FBR started investigating RFAK’s finances in October last year. Later, in December, the FBR traced the alleged bank accounts and the singer was asked to submit a reply by December 23.
Meanwhile, the FBR recently also sent a tax notice worth 58 million to Atif Aslam after the audit of his income for the year 2018. According to details, Aslam has been given one month’s notice to pay the tax. If the singer fails to pay the due amount, the revenue board will make the recovery by freezing his bank accounts.
With the first episode of Coke Studio 2020 well-received by both critics and the public alike, Coke Studio dropped Episode 2 on Friday featuring performances by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Meesha Shafi and Ali Pervez Mehdi among others.
RFAK joined hands with classical singer Zara Madani to perform a beautiful tarana Dil Tarpe, bringing a fusion and Qawwali-like flavour to the track.
In the song, the protagonist is exhibiting distress by emotionally imploring their beloved to have mercy on the heart; longing for the comfort and peace of their beloved’s company.
Talking about the song, Zara said, “This song is about longing with a very special spiritual connotation; a conversation taking place between a person and their inner self where one pleads for help from the Almighty.”
Excited about the new collaboration, Khan said, “I don’t think anyone has ever experimented with a tarana the way that we have tried to in this season.”
In the second song of the episode, newcomer Wajiha Naqvi debuted with a solo performance titled Yaqeen. The song has been written and composed by the artist herself. Carrying a modern pop-rock style, the song has pronounced elements of Indian classical instruments, thus classifying as raga rock, a popular musical genre from the 60s.
With its powerful lyrics, Yaqeen tells the story of a woman showing resilience and self-reliance in the journey of life. Speaking about the song, Naqvi said: “If men and women are not encouraged or taught to rely on themselves or have faith in themselves, this usually leads them not really knowing who they are and what they are truly capable of. If each person is given the opportunity to explore and discover his/her own self and true potential, they can contribute to society in a more informed manner.”
Lastly, Ali Pervez Mehdi and Meesha Shafi came together for a catchy Punjabi folk song Gal Sunn. With a contemporary funk element, the song represents the longing between lovers. The rhythm instruments playing interlocking grooves create a toe-tapping and danceable feel.
“In these times, going through [Covid-19], I wanted people to listen to something positive and fun. That is why I created this song,” said Mehdi, adding that the song gave him hope.
“I dance to it and I want everyone else to dance to it too!,” he added.
Meesha, while talking about the song said: “This song has a lovely flirtatious vibe. It is a beautiful composition. Ali has a beautiful voice and his songwriting is really really catchy.”
Along with a groovy bass line, Serbian brass players have also been incorporated playing the trumpet, tenor saxophone and trombone enhancing the funk feel to this desi melody.
Produced by Rohail Hyatt, CS2020 started on December 4 and will have only 12 songs, featuring 13 artists.
According to a press release, the upcoming season will be shorter with only 12 songs. The reason for a shorter season is the nation-wide lockdown and restrictions due to COVID-19 this past year.
CS2020 is produced by Rohail Hyatt and was administered under careful management and maintenance of COVID-19 SOPs which resulted in both singers and musicians being recorded separately. Technology was used to make communication easy for the artists, resulting in an errorless outcome.
The teaser of every artist was uploaded on Coke Studio’s official YouTube Channel.
The season includes 12 new songs featuring 13 artists, out of which four emerging artists will make their debut on this platform. This includes an assortment of singers ranging from industry veterans like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Meesha Shafi, Fariha Pervez, Umair Jaswal, Ali Noor, Bohemia and Sanam Marvi alongside new-comers such as Mehdi Maloof, Aizaz Sohail, Sehar Gul Khan and Wajiha Naqvi as well as experienced artists such as Zara Madani and Ali Pervez Mehdi.
Not only will this be a season featuring purely original songs, but the focus for this season has also been on its content and social messaging including an all-female anthem on women’s empowerment. Interestingly, this will be the first time ever in CS history that all the female artists of the season will be singing together, although each artist was recorded separately.
Moreover, given the new format and advantages of technology, this season has also collaborated with international musicians from across the world including Turkey, Nepal, Lebanon and Serbia.
“Working on this season has been a valuable learning experience. It has left me with a realization that in order for anything to survive, it must have the ability to change and adapt to the circumstances that surround it. Even in trying times, we must not give up but instead re-invent ourselves and keep moving ahead. Despite the limitations of this pandemic, everyone on the team, especially the artists, willingly left their comfort zones only to help keep alive the tradition of sharing music. It is with this same spirit that we bring CS to you this year; a humble effort to share something familiar, yet new.” said producer Rohail Hyatt.
Given the extraordinary circumstances under which this year’s season has been produced, it will be deliberately referred to as CS 2020 and not CS Season 13.
The first episode of Coke Studio 2020 is set to air on December 4, 2020.
Atif Aslam made a rare appearance with his wife Sara at a big-fat Lahori wedding, which took place Wednesday night. Pictures and videos from the wedding, which also included a qawwali night with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, went viral on social media.
While Atif looked dashing in a black sherwani by Mohsin Naveed Ranjha, Sara looked gorgeous in a green and gold outfit by the same designer. She also made sure to wear her mask, considering that social distancing was not possible at all. In the videos, one can see that people swarmed towards the singer, hoping for a selfie with him.
Meanwhile, the decor of the grand wedding was handled by Qasim Yar Tiwana of QYTEvents and Whimsical parties. Malik Riaz’s wife Bina Malik was also spotted in the crowds.
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s throne bearer, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has reached five million subscribers on YouTube, becoming the first Pakistani musician to achieve this milestone.
With a total of 207 videos uploaded, and the recent Gham-e-Ashiqui crossing 3 million views, the ustaad celebrated the victory by expressing gratitude to his fans and followers on social media.
The legendary singer shared the news on his Instagram account saying: “5 Million YouTube subscribers – Thank you for the love and support”.
Later he posted a video of himself cutting a cake and thanking his fans for their continued love and support.
Khan began formally training for his skill at the age of seven, and performed publicly for the first time, when he was nine, at the death anniversary of his grandfather. Since then, he has released more than 50 albums including performing at numerous high-profile concerts across the world.
Khan has sung over 100 Bollywood songs – much of his global following is also accredited to Bollywood. He has also won several awards there and is reportedly Salman Khan’s favourite.
Rahat became the first Pakistani to perform at any Nobel Prize concert when he was invited to the concert at the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. He performed Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s most memorable qawwali Tumhe Dilagi” and Mast Qalandar.
The singer was also presented an honorary shield from Oxford University where he got to perform in one of the world’s most historical music rooms.
Bollywood music composer Wajid Khan of Sajid-Wajid fame has reportedlydied from complications due to COVID-19 early Monday morning in India. He was only 42 years old.
Music composer Salim Merchant, who first confirmedthe news of Wajid’s death, said the composer was hospitalised recently at Surana Hospital, Chembur where his condition deteriorated.
“He had multiple issues. He had a kidney issue and had a transplant a while ago. But recently he got to know about kidney infection… He was on the ventilator for the last four days, after his situation started getting worse. Kidney infection was the beginning and then he got critical,” Salim said.
Following the news of his death, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Adnan Siddiqui, who have worked with the composer on several projects, expressed their grief at the loss of their “brother”.
I have just lost my brother today. Wajid bhai was more then a friend and a composer to me. May Allah Bless him Jannat. Ameen pic.twitter.com/eEo0lej1a9
In an emotional video message, Khan said thatWajid Bhai “left too soon” and prayed for the deceased.
Deeply saddened today ! I have just lost my brother today. Wajid bhai was more than a friend and a composer to me. May Allah Bless him Jannat. Ameen pic.twitter.com/wS4dxjhaVB
Wajid along with brother Sajid made their debut as music directors with Salman Khan’s Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. Over the years, they had composed the music for several of Khan’s films including Hello Brother, Garv, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner, God Tussi Great Ho, Wanted, Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, Veer and Dabangg (1, 2 and 3). Rahat had collaborated with Wajid on several songs for Salman’s films including the super hit Tere Mast Mast Do Nain.
Bollywood also took to social media to express their shock and grief at the composer’s untimely death.
I used to call him my brother from another mother. Besides being unbelievably talented he was so gentle & sweet. I’m so heartbroken that I did not get to say Goodbye my sweet @wajidkhan7 I will miss you & our jam sessions forever. Till we meet again #RIP#WajidKhan#Gonetoosoonpic.twitter.com/RAq0pqHJwY
An irreplaceable loss for the music industry. Wajid Khan will be missed deeply but he will live on through his music and the lives he touched with it. My heartfelt condolences to the family.
Shocked and saddened to hear about the untimely demise of #WajidKhan, talented and ever-smiling…gone too soon. May God give strength to his family in this difficult time
shocked hearing this news @wajidkhan7 bhai was extremely close to me and my family. He was one of the most positive people to be around. We will miss u Wajid bhai thank u for the music pic.twitter.com/jW2C2ooZ3P
As we all self-isolate, everyone is taking to social media to share their favourites including recipes, seasons, movies and songs. Deepika Padukone also shared a list of songs which are currently on her quarantine playlist and we were surprised to see a Pakistani song on it.
Turns out Abida Parveen and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Chaap Tilaak is on her list. Have to say Deepika has got a great taste in music.
Chaap Tilak featured in Season 7 of Coke Studio. It was produced by Strings.
Other songs on her playlist included Arjit Singh’s Tujhe Kitna Chahanay Laga Hoon (Kabir Singh), Kabira (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), Laal Ishq (Ram Leela), Channa Mereya (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) and Agar Tum Saath Ho (Tamasha) among others.
