Vocal Coach REACTS - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Abida Parveen 'Chaap Tilak' (Coke Studio season 7) 

When a Muslim prays regularly, a small round mark forms on the forehead due to excessive Sujood. That is exactly where Hindus put their Tilak too. So when he says Chhap Tilak sab chheen li, it means you've made me forget who I am, Hindu or Muslim. Religion of course was central to the identity in a region where two distinct communities were coming together in that age. So the translator has done a wonderful job here translating it to 'snatched away every trace of me'. This is just perfect.

my fellow indians, pakistani folks, bangladeshi folks and nepali folks, we need to protect our rich culture and heritage like hell! and not let any of it get diluted by the effect of negligence, ignorance, commercialism or capitalism. we are in this together. We have a legacy to protect✨✨✨

Just to Surprise you - This was a practice session,final version never was recorded because they nailed it in the first shot

from India.. and so proud of our neighbours for producing such ultra legendry singers! Kudos Pakistan!

Chap Tilak is a Sufi poem written by Sufi poet named Amir Khursow- who mentions his name as a third person in the poetry quite often, a signature move by poets of that region. Kusrow was a follower of the Sufi teachings Nizamuddin Auwliya and drew much of his poetic inspirations from him. Therefore, he mentions his love and admiration for his teacher. Hope this helps .. The other lady is Abida Parveen who is a Sufi music performer, one of the gold star legends of Pakistani Sufi musical performances. Loved your reaction by the way. Keep them coming!

She was 60 when she sung this imagine her voice in her 30s She is truly the queen of Sufi ❣️

People in India and Pakistan can cry for hours listening to such devotional music. We have a word called 'vairaag' for it (couldn't find an English translation).

Fact: It was the rehearsal before actual song, it was so good. they end up making it final song.

This is a 700 year old song. You observed the nuances right on the spot, brilliant! Love from 🇵🇰

These are gifted people, if u wake them up in the middle of the night still they will sing in the same note. Talent has no boundaries love from India ♥️

Just to add one thing. I have heard Rahat sing live, sitting very close to him. This guy seems like he is wrestling while singing. His style of singing requires so much power. I have also seen him and his team eat and their diet is also like a wrestlers diet. My point is that this style of singing requires a a lot of energy.

As an Iranian who's hearing them for the first time, I found their voice extremely haunting and beautiful! thanks for reacting to music from different parts of the world, Ken.

Just a fun fact, this is not even the final recording..this one is recorded rehearsal..it was so good that the director decided to keep it as the final recording Legends for reasons

I cried the first time I heard this song, there is something about it. Let me tell you something that Abida ji says in the behind-the-scenes video of this coke studio performance. She says: "Woh joh talib-e-ilmi hai, woh tadpati rehti hai, ke aur achha hona chaiye. Allah iss bechaine ko salamat rakhe, ki yeh ek humesha mere saath rahe". It means - "The desire to get it right enough so that its worth dying for, always troubles me. May Allah always keep this anxiety intact inside me, so that it always stays with me". I just think its so fascinating that a legend like her is saying that she always wants to hold onto that strive for perfection in her singing.... Thank you for reviewing this song, I can see you liked it as much as I did and I hope you liked hearing the translation tid-bid from her behind the scenes video.

When i was in Dubai a Pakistani colleague took me to Rahat Fatah Ali's concert. I was swaying with his voice and music for a week.

Imagine the Impact on people who understand the lyrics too... The whole package isn't delivered until you understand the words♥️

Wow this is my first ever listen of any music of this type, and it is one of the most beautiful things I've heard!

I wish Nusrat Fateh would have been around....internet would have exploded with the reactions...and wish these legends healthy life 🧿🧿🧿🧿

I am Afghan and we have been listening to this since I was a child.... I absolutely love it... fortunately I am able to understand the Urdu language now better with practice. It is a different world when you are in trance and showered with such beautiful music

I dont know if anyone has already commented this but The fact is that this was supposed to be a rehearsal. But these two great singers performed so well that coke studio decided to keep it as final recording. Such powerful performers

Khusrow loved his teacher, Nizamuddin Awliya, so much that he wrote this song - and people still sing it 800 years later.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan(Rahat's uncle) is considered as one of the greatest voices ever recorded on a microphone. His belting tecnique even impressed American singer Jeff Buckley and he straight away arranged a meeting with NFAK to learn his technique. Jeff even sang one of Nusrat's song "Yeh Jo Halka Suroor Hai" in America addressing NFAK as a "Spritual friend" and included the qawwali instrument harmonium in his song "Lover, you should've come home". You should react to Nusrat, you'll be mindblown. He was a true musical God💯

Once you start listening this genre you will never be able to stay away from it.

I don't know why Western singers think sitting down makes it difficult to sing. Our teachers always made us sit on the floor to sing. I think it allows you to focus on the singing, and help get into a meditative space. I never faced short breaths while singing either.

Abida Parveen is a master in drifting between two chords. And I was amazed to see you noticed it on the first attempt. You're a gem bro 💯. Lots of love from Pakistan 🇵🇰❤️. Keep spreading love.

India too is proud of these gem of singers with heavenly voice

There is so much subtext of spirituality and emotions... So much history and mythology all entangled that it becomes divine Music.

So Amir Khusrau wrote this poetry as a devotional tribute to his master, the great Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, in the poem Khusrau says how he has been enchanted with spirituality of his master and is devoting his life in his service(in turn service of mankind), in Sufi tradition, devotionally the master is referred to as the beloved, paragon of love. It’s a poem written circa 13th or 14th century CE in Awadhi language

She is the greatest living vocalist on the planet, hands ducking DOWN. He’s not that far behind either

Both are the living legends and Gems of Pakistan 🇵🇰

Abida is the soul of the music and so is Rahat sir. Love from India

Nizamudin Auliya is a Sufi saint. One of the most iconic character in a way of life called Chistiya. As mentioned in someone's earlier comment, this song is written for him by his beloved Amir Khusrau. The relationship involving two men wandering in the path of love of God. And through this love, Sufi Qawwali rooted. It is said that Amir Khusrau's songs will exist through out time to praise his beloved. This song was first sang 800 years ago. Also those speedy things that RFAK, subhanallah, is doing are called Raagas. He's basically saying do re mi fa... In the oriental musical terms. Except that he's also doing it in a million different ways! If you appreciate this, you will love NFAK.

The song is almost 10 min long and I never stopped it midway, and always end up crying.

Never heard this song before, I was crying 2 minutes into the song ( doesn’t happen that often) ..beautiful notes..singing that went straight to heart

When I first heard this song, I literally gasped in abject awe!!!!!!!!!! Haunting, gorgeous and mesmerizing ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

11:17, That rapid fire singing was actually a "sargam", that is a sequence of Sa-Re-Ga-Ma notes in some specific order. It's essentially the Indian version of Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do.

THIS WAS SHOT IN ONE TAKE, YEAH JUST ONE TAKE...

They say that this was only a practise session but it was done so good that they didn't do it second time .... It was so perfect

I never listen something like this before. Wonderful 🙏🙏👌👌☮️

This flexibility can be achieved by years and years of riyaaz🙏 Gods reside in their vocal chords🙏🙏🙏🙏

I love this eastern style of devotional music with the emphasis on melismatic melody. The two chords create a "drone" or foundation for the singers to riff off of to take the listener on a journey inward. Or just to show off. I'm a fan of Rahat's uncle Nusrat as well. They both have such amazing control and precision.

You have to listen to his uncle who was the true legend. His name was nusrat fateh Ali Khan. His music is poetry and so beautiful. Please listen to his songs. Saaya bhi saath is stunning

The fact that this song was taken on rehearsal itself is just amazing.

Whole world : Sargam Ken lavigne : Melismatic Passages

Two legends of Pakistan. Great reaction. Good to see people exploring new form of music from other regions.

I also found this on google: He was not just a poet but also a musician, a venerated composer and is credited with the invention of several musical instruments and laying down the theoretical basis for much of Indo-Muslim music. Amir Khusrau is credited with turning the sema music into qawwali as it is sung today. He was entrusted with developing it as a complete form of music, and chose 12 young students to accomplish the task - and called them the qawwal bachcha. It is through them that he presented Qaul Qalbana and other forms of Qawwali.Munshi Raziuddin and his sons Farid Ayaz and Abu Mohamed are descendants of those very qawwal bachchas. Khusrau is said to be the inventor of many musical instruments, including the tabla. He composed numerous new ragas and is said to have created six forms of music - namely Qaul, Qalbana, Khayal, Tarana, Naqsh and Gul. The last two have lapsed into obscurity while the rest remain.

I love this reaction. You are so genuine in your eyes and face, it resonates deeply 💚 I'm glad you enjoyed and appreciated this beautiful music, and shared your reaction with us all 💓

This is a Sufi song written by Sufi poet Amir Khusro around 1253-1325 AD. He was a disciple of Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya hence lot of references about them in this beautiful Sufi song. Love your reactions ❤️

In both India and Pakistan have reside some great Sufi artist where the knowledge of this kind of music is passed down the family through ages... Rahet Fateh Ali Khan also comes from such incredible Gharana (Ancestry)

I had goosebumps for the whole thing. Awesome..

Kevin, what you have experienced through this song is something beyond our mind can understand…

even though religious and linguistic gaps-differences are there, these songs with rich history still provide spiritual satisfaction and make you feel like it was a whole wonderful musical journey you have been through. They easily remind you of your beliefs, hopes and beautiful aspects of life worth believing.

Wow! She is amazing Edit: I typed that before i heard him. They are both incredible.

Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian singers are out of this world the more you tisten of them the more you gonna be amazed. Love From Bangladesh🇧🇩❤️

You will find many such PHENOMENAL classic singers in india... they aren't your regular pop stars and musicians... these people are AMAZINGLY GIFTED

He is singing the pure notes fast. Doing his thing. Most of the Classical Music Singers do that. All the Classical music singers have mentorship for 10-20 years or so.

These 2 Are Legends.... Abida Parveen Is The Queen Of Sufi Music....

YOU are the only one so far reacted to the brilliance of Abida!!! love you man

She is the queen of Sufi singing

The singing passages in between are called Ragas meaning colors or passion it is used by classical trained singer to immense the audience in a state of ecstasy.Also if you notice the background singers are guided by rahat hands he does a sign to them which they use to start chorus.Rahat being from the family of Sufi singer Qawaal the use the chorus and sign technique in a very unique way.Please react to his mentor the greatest singer Nusrat fateh ali khan same song Chap tilak.The Song is about Amir khusro who was great sufi poet and devotee of Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya from Delhi the song is about his love for the sufi saint. Amir khusro is also buried next to sufi saint nizamuddin.

Nizam and Khusrau are reference to scholars, sufi poets mystic/spiritual figures from late 1200's to early 1300's AD era. There's a lot of literature from them and on their teachings out there, Khusrau is also known as father of Urdu literature. A great poem, extraordinarily sung by the two living legends. Love from 🇵🇰

Ken, if you reaaaaaly want to learn this type of music, you will have to leave everything and completely devote your self to the service of these great legends for about a decade.. It is much deeper than just science of vocal chords and lungs and mouth movements. It is essentially way to connect to the soul

This is one of my all time favourite coke studio songs, its on another level and doesnt need to change pace or anything its simply perfect.

Love the reaction, please react to "Rang" , "Naina morey", "Ae dil", "tinak dhin" and "paar channa de" all from Coke studio Pakistan.

I am always in tears listening to this gift from the legends of the musical arena. So pure and serene. It cleanses ones soul just by listening to this beauty.

Its a qawalli a catagory of folk songs. Qawalli means to repeat over n over in different ways unless you are drowned inside. ❤

So it’s a “qawwaali” with elements of “thumri” in the format , one verse is repeated with different emotions to give it layers of meaning (thumri), qawwali is a poetic conversation between disciple (murid) and master (murshid), and yeah there is amazing vocal medley 🙂

I would have never heard this song if not for visiting your channel, I love how versatile it is, always something new and interesting to discover. good job! :)

As someone who grew up with Indian classical Music and heard so Many versions of this 800 year old poem/ song it’s so interesting to see your reaction , someone from the outside .❤️

Abidah Parveen is one of the finest soul who devoted herself for sufi music... national treasure of music industry Of Pakistan. Incredible talent.

The jaw shaking thing, all of it points to the suffering, the longing present in all Sufi music in this region. They're passionate about their faith, the pure love and longing

This is a poem of a mystic sufi Ameer Khusrav praising his master/teacher and he is known for laying the basic foundation of Urdu Languaguage.

This poetry was written 700+ years ago by Amir Khusro for his spiritual master Nizamuddin Auliya.

An 800 year old song ,what an incredible heritage and culture we desis have

Am sure someone else has commented already but Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is THE LEGEND. You should give some of his pieces a listen. Most people would consider Rahat yet aiming to get to his mentors(Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan) level. Thank you.

Pakistani singers are awesome. I’m loving it so much. What a flow of vocals blend with superb poetry. - Sufi songs bring a spark and trigger goosebumps. Wow! Thanks Ken for sharing. God bless.

The real meaning of this song is very deep. The thing about spiritual songs that come from Indian background is that they are literal and still people do not understand them. Here chaap tilak mean the ritualistic decoration that a religious person does in his life. But when he finds a true spiritual master, he initiates him into meditation. In that meditation he actually sees the GOD/ bhagwan/ allah. That experience is noted down in this song as "naina milaike". Means when the seeker experienced the divine with his own eyes in meditation, he no longer needed to follow the outer ritual practices and he let them go from there on.

I've been listening to Abida Parveen for many years. She's amazing! ❤️

Listen to this music with your heart not ears, close your eyes. I swear you shall get drunk on this most divine intoxicant 🙂

your comments were spot on when you said these artists know how to create an entire world of sonic existence and completely transports us..

Sufi songs r song for Almighty, This one has beautifully soulful Meaning : " I come in ur contat & become one with you (lost all my worldly identities & presence )." Th.

I’m from Pakistan. But India and Pakistan has incredible talent that transcends time. This particular piece of poetry is over 500. Yes 500 years old. Try wrapping your mind around it.

This was just a rehearsal, but these two legends did such a splendid job that the director gave it a go...

I love the fact that you felt the spirituality of this performance

Western musicians will always be amazed by classical voices raag sufi etc from east. They can never even get to the intensity we have already reached. 🔥 I love western music but eastern classical, its a whole new level.

When i hear and feel this type of sufi songs i feel blessed for known this language so deeply and feel sorrow for whom they don't understand this language and only feel vocal notes and get enjoyed. I don't think how they feel about it but want to say only one thing this is not only music or just a song this is what we should leasten for freshment of soul and a treatment for all injuries.

Indians and Pakistanis do these type of songs very easily...Shifting between chords . Gift by God.

Was waiting for this! Thanks for the reaction

Great reaction. No, they're not showing off - actually, it's the total opposite: it's sheer spiritual devotion that comes with total submission and humility.

Qawaali is a shared heritage of the subcontinent and we should all be so proud of it. Both Abida Khatun and Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali are great singers.

Ustad Nusrat fateh ali khan God of Music ❤️

Music will never fail to make me love it.

These two singers are LEGENDS of pakistan and the way you heard the full song and pass your comments about the performance of these two singers is amaizing and so pure. you are such a amazing coach who understand and knows the variations of diffrent voices doesn't matter what language in singers are singing. hats off to you and thank you so much for showing the respect to these pakistani LEGENDS

Ken, I am just realizing that I took these singers for granted because they are in my country. I listened to them first time differently today. Woww

That is what the world will never come close to us that is legendary singers... Pakistan never fail to produce Great Musicians 💥❤️

She is living legend queen of sufi music independent of any language or music type This is not even 10% of her

Oh my God you're actually taking about him right now. Wow wow wow Sir Nusrat's like a river of music.

Its a different dimension of music.

The way you broke it down and appreciated the sufi devotional hyms. and the life dedication the 2 singers have surrendered to be masters of this art.of reciting Sufi poetry packaged into a modern bolllywood love song........tells me music is universal in its resonance with our soul....you will surely be inspirational to your pupils......

RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN and ATIF ASLAM are legends. They are gems. Bollywood can remove them from India but never from the hearts of the Indians. love from India