Every journey has struggles. Mine began under the shadow of a legend: Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan. This master blog is my story of classical music journey, told in simple words… so everyone can understand the feelings behind it. You will read about the hurdles, the gap between teacher and student, patience while others chase trends, and the long-term lessons that shaped me.

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The Beginning: A Dream Meets Reality

When I first met Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan, I did not know who he was. My father told me he is a gem and a legend of classical music, but at that first meeting I felt nothing special, no nerves, no big excitement… because I did not yet understand his value. In our world, every ustad first checks a student’s patience, dedication, and honesty. You start only as a student (talib-e-ilm). If you keep showing up, working hard, and meeting the Ustad’s benchmark, only then you are accepted as a prominent shagird (disciple). This honor is not for everyone. It must be earned.

I still remember how, when Ustad G began to speak, the whole room went quiet. No arrogance. No show. Just golden words. In the first 4 to 6 months, I could not even imagine his tough journey, starting as a child with Ustad Amanat Ali Khan Sahib (his elder brother). Only later, when I began learning raags, thumris, and khayal gaiki, I saw how hard this path truly is.

You can read in details about my decade and journey with Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan Sahib in another blog. Just CLICK HERE…!

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The First Struggles: A World Beyond Words

To be honest, I did not feel lost just once, I felt lost every time I visited Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan Sahib, whether at the academy or at his home. His memory of Patiala Gharana knowledge was deep and infinite. Each visit brought a new, difficult lesson and a fresh direction. He never repeated the previous class. It pushed me to grow. It also scared me.

Pressure was real. I would hear about senior shagirds (Disciples) e.g., Wali Fateh Ali (Afghanistan), Abbas Ali Khan, Sijal Ali, Hassan Fateh Ali Khan etc and their performances. The bandishes, raags, and thumris they learned were very tough. Even with 3–4 hours of riyaaz daily, I felt I was still in a low category. True classical music needs hard dedication, focus, and daily riyaazat.

Life hit hard too. My father passed away in January 2015 while I was doing BS Software Engineering (COMSATS Islamabad). After some time, Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan also left this world. I was broken… like a man alone in a desert with no water. Many nights I cried. Then one day, I made a promise: I will continue. I will carry the real path forward and inspire the youth.

In fact, now I am more focused to teach and to let the students and people know the true knowledge and respect of classical music instead of commercial music for the sake of popularity. I know the path I have chosen is very difficult to handle, but not impossible.

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The Patience Test: While Others Chased Trends

In family events and friend circles, people wanted Bollywood or light, popular songs, geets, qawwali and ghazals. Very few wanted to hear pure classical khayal gaiki and raags.

I would hear lines like, “Yaar, tum bhi Bollywood gaana kyun nahi gaate?” (Why you are not singing Bollywood songs?) and “Classical kisko sunni hai aaj kal?” (Who wants to hear the classical music nowadays??) Some even closer to me also said, “Faraz, ustad badal lo,” (Faraz, Change your Ustad) or “Classical seekh ke time waste ho raha hai.” (You are wasting time to learn the classical music) It hurt in start, but I stayed firm and constant.

Slowly, the same people started requesting classical music from me. Even though I gradually got grip on light music too so those same people become my followers and fans. They followed me, met me, talked to me with respect. My aim is clear: to be an inspirational and authentic classical singer in the world, Insha’Allah. I also released a light song in 2014, just to show the audience that I can also perform and sing light songs and can cover all the so called “Commercial Music“. The title of my first song is “Jeevan Ki Rahoun Me” (composed by Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan and music by his elder son Ustad Sultan Fateh Ali Khan).

I sang it for the audience, but my first love is always classical music. Nowadays, also working on some projects related to commercial music but within the boundries and knowldge of classical music.

You can listen to my first release song on YouTube: Click Here!

With the base of classical, I can now sing, create, compose, and even write. Those who only copy and memorize get stuck. Real growth comes from the roots. Many times I asked myself, “Am I wasting my time?” My soul answered: No. I am building an inner empire with the gems given by Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan Sahib.

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Respecting the Ustad: A Priceless Lesson in Classical Music Journey

“If I talk about a memorable lesson—then from day one till his last breath, I learned something new every single day. New knowledge. How to behave. How to talk to people. To keep a positive and real attitude. I learned all this along with music.”

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The Turning Point – First Taste of Success

“I am still searching for a ‘turning point.’ I always see myself as a shagird. I have performed in many places, and each time feels like a new turning point. When my father and Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan both left this world, those were my biggest turning points for real. The real journey began from there.”

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My Advice to the Next Generation of Learners

• Never run after shortcuts.
• Do practical work.
• Learn with legends in the related field.
• Do not fall into trends or the rat race.
• Do not follow anyone blindly, build your own path.
• In the beginning, people may not respect you. They may even call you “crazy” but believe me, It’s okay!
• Work quietly and do not show off.
• Let your success speak for you.
• Always stay humble & polite with people younger or newer than you.

Insh’Allah soon, I will definitely publish dedicated blogs/articles for every “Advise“, I have mentioned individually.

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Conclusion: A Call to Every Beginner

My first priority is to show my audience the real gem of classical music—the old masters’ work, raags, bandishain (astaai), and khayal gaiki… and how loving and powerful classical music is, even next to commercial music. Alhamdulillah, I carry a small but authentic part of Patiala Gharana knowledge from the most perfect legendry source, non other than my Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan Sahib. If you want to hear real and honest music, follow my journey. I will also sing commercial pieces, but with the foundation of classical and true knowledge.

I have already started sharing proper knowledge through online classes (Zoom, Google Meet etc.) to the world (Austria, Saudi Arabia, India, Norway), and soon I will begin one-to-one and in-person classes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to spread the true shape of classical music.

I have also launched my own music platform, “VCompose” and I’m working on it every day. Insha’Allah, one day this platform will stand even higher than big shows like Nescafé Basement, Coke Studio, and Pakistan Idol. With the help of this platform, I can add my efforts and values to the musical world within the real and authentic knowledge of music. This is my mission.
To find more about this musical platform, checkout the “Mehfil Series 1” on YouTube. Click Here…!
If you want to know more about my previous life, my goals and my journey in detail, then read out this blog post to get more connected with me. CLICK HERE…!

You may read out “About“ page of our website for knowing more about Faraz Qadir.

It is not the end, in fact the journey has just began. If you feel connected with this blog and if you can even relate 1% yourself to this article, then show your love, suggestions and comments below. Share to your loved ones, friends and families. Stay blessed, Stay Happy!
Signing off…

Faraz Qadir

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