Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legendary Sargam Studio will be razed to the ground to make way for the Orange Line Train at Scheme Moor Chowk located in Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Town. The saying that ‘development comes at a great cost’ stands true.
The current owner of the famous studio, Raza Shah, has been offered handsome compensation for the decision taken amounting PKR 2 million.
The studio was created in the year 1983 where the now famous qawwalis were penned and composed inside these premises. Shah, the owner, reminisced how it had been like back in the day.“I have myself seen Nusrat produce classics like Ali Da Malang and Jogi De Naal here.”
This space provided Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with the creative refuge he needed along with serving as an institution within himself for his students.
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The studio was bought by Shah to preserve the great memories of the legendary NFAK. He said, “People from around the world approached me to purchase Sargam and many of the instruments kept here. I always told them it is out of the question.”
The co-owner of the place who is a Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Cultural Wing , Altaf Bajwa hails this step as quite sad. “I am the place’s co-owner. Jiyo Shaira, Jiyo Shaira was written by me only. As a worker of PML-N, I urge the government to not do this.”
Yet, Khawaja Ahmad Hasan, the project in-charge still sided with the government’s decision. “We will also secure our heritage and renovate the studio, rest assured.”
