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"Afreen Afreen"
Song by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
from the album Sangam
LanguageUrdu
Released1996
GenreGhazal
Length10:00
ComposerNusrat Fateh Ali Khan
LyricistJaved Akhtar

"Afreen Afreen" (Urdu: آفریں آفریں transl. Praise to her Creator! Praise to her Creator!) is a nazm (song) performed and composed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with lyrics written by Javed Akhtar.[1][2] It first featured on their collaborative album Sangam in 1996.[3] In 2003, a studio version of the song was recorded by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for the album Best of Khan 3, released by Hi-Tech Music Ltd.[4] In 2016, it was covered by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Nusrat's nephew) and Momina Mustehsan during season 9 of Coke Studio.[5]

2003 Studio Version by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

[edit]

A lesser-known yet deeply soulful rendition of "Afreen Afreen" was recorded as a studio track by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and released in 2003 by UK-based label Hi-Tech Music Ltd. This version was included in the compilation album Best of Khan 3. Unlike the original qawwali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and the later Coke Studio duet, this recording features a stripped-down musical arrangement and a solo vocal performance by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, emphasizing emotional depth and spiritual longing. The lyrics remain largely faithful to the traditional verses, while the vocal style leans more toward romantic Sufi interpretation. Though it did not receive widespread media coverage, it remains a favorite among devoted fans of South Asian devotional and classical fusion music.

[6]

1996 version

[edit]

"Afreen Afreen" was first released during the IndiPop and fusion music wave of the mid-1990s as a non-film music video. The music video featured Lisa Ray and Himanshu Malik.[7]

2016 version

[edit]
"Afreen Afreen"
  • Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
    Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
  • Momina Mustehsan
    Momina Mustehsan
Single by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan
from the album Coke Studio S9E2
Released19 August 2016 (2016-08-19)
GenrePop
Length6:45 (Video)
6:40 (Audio)
LabelCoke Studio (Pakistan)
ComposersNusrat Fateh Ali Khan (original)
Faakhir Mehmood (director)
LyricistsJaved Akhtar (original)
F K Khalish (additional)
ProducersCoca-Cola and Strings
External media
Audio
audio icon "Afreen Afreen" on SoundCloud
Video
video icon "Afreen Afreen" on YouTube

It was later rendered by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan with Momina Mustehsan, during season 9 episode 2 of Pakistani musical TV show Coke Studio. The music was directed by Faakhir Mehmood.[8]

Personnel

[edit]
  • Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
  • Artists: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Momina Mustehsan
  • Music director: Faakhir Mehmood
  • Produced & directed By: Strings
  • Guest musician: Joshua Keith Benjamin (keyboards)
  • House band: Imran Akhond (guitars), Aahad Nayani (drums), Kamran 'Mannu' Zafar (bass), Kashan Admani (guitars), Haider Alo (keyboard/piano), Abdul Aziz Kazi (percussions)
  • Backing vocalist: Rachel Viccaji, Shahab Hussain, Nimra Rafiq[9]

Popularity

[edit]

As of June 2024, it has garnered over 509 million views on YouTube,[10] it is currently third on the list of most viewed YouTube videos of Pakistani-origin, just after Atif Aslam's rendition of "Tajdar-e-Haram" having 342 million views.[11] It was the most-watched Pakistani music video of 2016.[12] According to Google, its lyrics were one of the most searched lyrics for the year 2017.[13] Momina Mustehsan became the fifth-most googled person in Pakistan in 2016.[14]

Version listings

[edit]
1996 version
No.TitleLength
1."Afreen Afreen"10:00
2016 version
No.TitleLength
1."Afreen Afreen"6:45
2003 version
No.TitleLength
1."Afreen Afreen"6:40

Table of contents

[edit]
Year Film/Album Genre Language(s) Length Singer Composer Ref(s).
1990 Sangam Ghazal Urdu 10:00 Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2016 Coke Studio S9E2 Pop 6:45 Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Momina Mustehsan Fakhar Mehmood [9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Afreen Afreen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Afreen Afreen" is a —a form of poetic song in —composed and performed by the renowned Pakistani singer , with lyrics written by acclaimed Indian poet and lyricist . The title, translating to "Praise to her Creator," serves as a lyrical tribute to the captivating beauty of a , blending Sufi elements with romantic imagery. Originally released in 1996 on the collaborative album Sangam, the track marked a fusion of Nusrat's traditional style with Bollywood-inspired composition, arranged by . The song quickly became one of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's signature pieces, showcasing his powerful vocals and improvisational flair in live performances, and it helped bridge music with mainstream Indian audiences through its inclusion in the 1996 music video featuring actress , filmed in , . Its enduring appeal led to several reinterpretations, most notably a 2003 studio version by Nusrat's nephew on his album Best of Khan 3. However, the track achieved global viral status with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's soulful rendition alongside singer for Coke Studio Pakistan Season 9 in 2016, an unplugged version that emphasized acoustic instrumentation and harmonious vocals. This performance not only revitalized the song for younger generations but also became the first Pakistani track to surpass 200 million views on by 2018, underscoring its cross-cultural resonance in South Asian music.

Background and Composition

Origin and Lyrics

"Afreen Afreen" was originally composed by the renowned singer , arranged by , in collaboration with lyricist , emerging as a romantic specifically crafted to celebrate feminine beauty. Released in 1996 as part of the album Sangam, the song marked a deliberate fusion effort by Khan to adapt his traditional roots into a more accessible, poetic form during the burgeoning IndiPop era in . This collaboration highlighted Akhtar's expertise in , infusing the composition with lyrical elegance that complemented Khan's emotive vocal delivery. The lyrics are structured as classical Urdu poetry in the nazm style, featuring a repetitive chorus of "Afreen Afreen," an exclamation meaning "Praise to her Creator" that underscores profound admiration. The verses poetically evoke the beloved's physical and ethereal attributes, such as eyes likened to enchanting threads, flowing hair reminiscent of a river's waves, and a graceful form compared to ancient sculptures or the dawn's first light. This rhythmic repetition builds an incantatory quality, drawing listeners into a layered expression of awe for the subject's beauty and the artistry of her creation. Thematically, the song embodies Sufi-inspired , intertwining earthly with devotional directed toward the beloved's creator, yet maintaining a secular tone characteristic of the format without explicit religious references. It portrays beauty as a divine yet attainable wonder, blending sensual appreciation of features like lips and posture with a transcendent reverence that elevates the human form. This approach reflects Khan's signature style of merging spiritual depth with romantic intimacy. In the broader 1990s context, "Afreen Afreen" exemplified the IndiPop fusion wave, where traditions were bridged with to appeal to urban audiences across , fostering a cross-cultural dialogue through melodic innovation.

Musical Style and Influences

"Afreen Afreen" is a infused with and elements, composed and performed by , blending poetic expression with the devotional intensity of traditions. The song's genre draws from qawwali's improvisational vocals, rhythmic clapping, and harmonium-driven melodies, while incorporating the lyrical elegance of a ghazal, a poetic form often set to music in South Asian traditions. This hybrid style reflects qawwali's roots as a 13th-century Sufi practice aimed at inducing spiritual ecstasy through repetitive rhythms and emotional depth. The original 1996 recording spans approximately 10 minutes, structured around extended vocal improvisations reminiscent of alaap in classical music, allowing Nusrat to explore melodic variations and rhythmic patterns central to his qawwali approach. Instrumentation includes the harmonium for sustained harmonic support, tabla for intricate percussion, and sarangi for emotive string interludes, creating layers of texture that enhance the song's meditative flow and rhythmic drive. These elements underscore qawwali's communal performance ethos, where audience interaction through clapping amplifies the trance-like quality. The song's influences stem from Pakistan's Sufi heritage, which elevated globally, fused with Bollywood sensibilities from lyricist Javed Akhtar's contributions, emphasizing romantic and spiritual themes through accessible poetic forms. vocal technique—featuring a wide range from low registers to high-pitched improvisations and raw emotional conveyance—distinguishes "Afreen Afreen" from mainstream pop, prioritizing spiritual resonance over commercial polish. Later adaptations, such as the 2016 Coke Studio version, condense the structure to under six minutes for broader appeal, preserving the improvisational essence but streamlining the extended explorations.

Original 1996 Version

Release Details

" debuted in 1996 on the album Sangam, a collaborative IndiPop project between and lyricist that fused traditional vocals with contemporary lyrics and arrangements. The album positioned the song as a non-film within the emerging fusion music scene, targeting audiences interested in cross-cultural blends of South Asian classical and popular styles. Released through international and regional labels including in the UK and Sonic Enterprises in , Sangam marked one of Khan's ventures into accessible, lyric-driven compositions beyond pure traditions." The track itself spans approximately 10 minutes and 2 seconds, featuring Khan's signature improvisational vocal runs over a structured melody arranged by . Initial distribution focused on physical formats prevalent in at the time, with cassettes serving as the primary medium for mass accessibility in markets like and , alongside nascent CD releases for urban and export audiences. This rollout reflected the era's dynamics, where analog tapes dominated retail and informal networks before digital proliferation." As a crossover endeavor, Sangam was promoted to leverage Khan's established international profile, built through 1980s-1990s exposures like his 1990 fusion album on , which introduced to Western listeners via collaborations with artists such as . The marketing emphasized the song's romantic, poetic appeal to broaden Khan's appeal beyond devotional music, aligning with his post-global recognition phase that included world music festivals and film soundtracks.

Music Video and Promotion

The music video for "Afreen Afreen" was directed by as a standalone non-film production, featuring model and actor in lead roles portraying a romantic narrative that echoed the song's poetic themes of admiration and enchantment. The video also included cameo appearances by and , blending visual storytelling with the performance elements. Released in 1996 to promote the collaborative album Sangam, the video aired extensively on music channels including MTV Asia, , and the Indian network B4U, capitalizing on the mid-1990s surge in music videos to engage a youthful demographic. This timing aligned with the growing popularity of fusion and IndiPop releases, positioning the track within a vibrant scene of accessible, cross-cultural music. The promotional efforts emphasized the video's role in bridging Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's roots with contemporary pop sensibilities, introducing his work to audiences unfamiliar with traditional Sufi genres through its evocative, culture-infused visuals and narrative simplicity. Distributed mainly via television rotations and physical formats like cassettes, these strategies fostered the song's early in the pre-digital landscape. This approach influenced the romantic visual template seen in later adaptations of the song. In later years, expressed discomfort with her association to the video, stating in 2023 that she inwardly cringes when the song plays and has felt uncomfortable celebrating it despite its role in her breakthrough.

2003 Version

Production and Features

The 2003 solo rendition of "Afreen Afreen" by was released as a studio track on the album Best of Khan 3, issued by Hi-Tech Music Ltd to honor the legacy of , Rahat's uncle and the song's originator. This version features Rahat's solo vocals with a runtime of approximately 6 minutes and 34 seconds. The production style prioritizes emotional intimacy over the improvisational elements typical of , featuring a cleaner sound suitable for radio play. Compared to the original 1996 performance, the 2003 track employs a slower , shorter duration, and more polished production to adapt the for contemporary listening.

Reception Among Fans

The 2003 version of "Afreen Afreen," recorded by for the album Best of Khan 3, initially gained traction among enthusiasts and the South Asian diaspora through CD sales and early internet file-sharing platforms. While less mainstream than later adaptations, the version maintained a niche long-term appeal, influencing Rahat's introduction to global audiences and sustaining steady streams on digital platforms like from the 2010s onward. This reception helped pave the way for Rahat's prominent role in Coke Studio collaborations.

2016 Coke Studio Version

Personnel and Arrangement

The 2016 Coke Studio rendition of "Afreen Afreen" features lead vocals by and , marking Mustehsan's debut performance on the platform and providing a youthful, melodic contrast to Khan's established classical style. The track was music directed by Faakhir Mehmood, who handled the arrangement, while production was overseen by the band Strings, consisting of and . Additional instrumentation includes drums by Aahad Nayani and percussion by Aziz Kazi, contributing to the ensemble's live execution. The arrangement transforms the traditional roots into a contemporary unplugged fusion, incorporating ambient and acoustic elements with minimal , rolls, and a hyper groove that blends traditional chants with modern rhythms. Layered subtly with and percussion, it maintains the 's devotional essence while introducing a fresh, accessible vibe suitable for live . The audio version runs for 6:40 minutes, with the accompanying video extending to 6:45 minutes to include visual elements. Filmed live during the production of Coke Studio Season 9, Episode 2, at the studio in , , the session captures the duet's harmonious interplay in a single-take environment typical of the show's format. The lyrics, originally penned by , are retained in their core form but adapted slightly for the duet structure to enhance vocal harmonies between the two artists. This version builds briefly on Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's familiarity from his 2003 solo rendition, infusing it with collaborative energy.

Release and Initial Impact

The 2016 rendition of "Afreen Afreen" by and premiered on August 19, 2016, as the opening track of Coke Studio Season 9, Episode 2. It debuted simultaneously on and Pakistani television channels, with the audio version released on for streaming. This launch aligned with Coke Studio's broader initiative to revive Pakistani heritage songs through contemporary interpretations. The official music video, running 6:45 in length, was produced exclusively for the platform and showcased stylized, intimate visuals of the performance in a minimalist studio environment. From the outset, the release sparked immediate online engagement, accumulating 2.5 million views on within its first 24 hours. The track's debut propelled into widespread recognition, ranking her as the fifth-most searched person in on for 2016. Media outlets such as Dawn and highlighted its success in breathing new life into Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's original classic, contributing to its status as the most-viewed Pakistani music video of the year.

Popularity and Legacy

Viewership and Chart Performance

The 2016 Coke Studio rendition of "Afreen Afreen" by and rapidly amassed massive viewership on , exceeding 617 million views as of November 2025. This performance marked it as one of the most-viewed music videos from , contributing significantly to the platform's music category in the region. The video's sustained growth was fueled by widespread sharing on , outpacing many other Coke Studio tracks and establishing it among the top-viewed entries from the series, behind only global hits like "." On streaming platforms, the track achieved high play counts in , with over 30 million streams on as of November 2025, reflecting its enduring popularity in , and neighboring countries. The song dominated Pakistani music charts for several weeks in , securing the number-one spot on Pakistan's music video list for the year. While lacking formal certifications from bodies like the RIAA due to its regional focus, earlier versions from 1996 and 2003 provided foundational recognition that amplified the Coke Studio release's commercial impact.

Cultural Significance and Covers

"Afreen Afreen" has emerged as a symbol of romantic Sufi expression within Pakistani , blending qawwali's spiritual depth with contemporary romantic themes to evoke admiration and divine beauty. Rooted in Sufi traditions that explore spirituality and profound connections, the song's lyrics and melody have resonated as a poetic tribute to feminine grace, influencing its integration into cultural narratives across . Post-2016, it has become a staple in playlists and receptions, often performed or played to celebrate love and union, as seen in high-profile events like Bollywood actress and Zaheer Iqbal's 2024 wedding reception dance. Its presence in media, including advertisements and social celebrations, underscores its role in evoking nostalgia and cultural pride in Pakistani and Indian popular contexts. The song's legacy has significantly elevated the careers of its performers, particularly through the 2016 Coke Studio rendition. For , already a prominent artist, the version amplified his international visibility by reintroducing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's composition to younger audiences, contributing to its viral spread and reinforcing his status as a bridge between traditional and modern music. For newcomer , the collaboration marked her breakthrough, propelling her from obscurity to widespread acclaim and establishing her as a key figure in Pakistani fusion music, with subsequent appearances on Coke Studio and solo releases. This rendition inspired broader fusion trends in South Asian music, encouraging artists to merge elements with pop and electronic sounds, as exemplified by Coke Studio's model of cultural hybridization. The song continues to be performed live internationally, such as 's concerts in the in 2025 and a tribute by Syrian musician Ammar Ashkar in November 2025. Notable covers of "Afreen Afreen" largely consist of unofficial remixes and acoustic interpretations by independent artists, often shared on platforms like , reflecting its enduring appeal among grassroots musicians. Examples include unplugged tributes such as Shriram Iyer's 2017 rendition honoring , which adapts the song into a contemporary acoustic style. The track has also been sampled in regional advertisements and local productions, adapting its melody for commercial and cultural contexts without major official remakes recorded as of 2025. These adaptations highlight the song's versatility but maintain its core Sufi-romantic essence. The song's global reach has been amplified through Coke Studio, popularizing traditions internationally and extending Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's influence on . Analyses of interactions reveal how the performance fosters cross-border unity, with comments from Indian and Pakistani viewers promoting desecuritisation and shared amid geopolitical tensions. Similarly, studies on the rendition note its role in blurring national boundaries and negotiating hybrid identities in South Asian communities. By introducing 's devotional fusion to diverse audiences, "Afreen Afreen" has contributed to the broader of South Asian sounds, evidenced by its sustained popularity beyond regional charts.

References

  1. https://musicbrainz.org/work/f9fd31c4-a707-4725-93df-ff1d72436849
  2. https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/lisa-ray-admits-to-being-uncomfortable-about-nusrat-fateh-ali-khans-afreen-afreen/cid/1935452
  3. http://www.bollymeaning.com/2016/08/afreen-afreen-lyrics-translation.html
  4. https://www.discogs.com/release/7903349-Nusrat-Fateh-Ali-Khan-Javed-Akhtar-Sangam
  5. https://gaana.com/lyrics/afreen-afreen-album-sangam-96-1
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4947576/
  7. https://music.apple.com/us/album/best-of-khan-3/1725035630
  8. https://music.apple.com/tr/album/afreen-afreen-coke-studio-season-9-single/1150347362
  9. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1820710/afreen-afreen-becomes-first-pakistani-song-cross-200-million-views
  10. https://www.discogs.com/master/262358-Nusrat-Fateh-Ali-Khan-Javed-Akhtar-Sangam
  11. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/5-soulful-compositions-of-nusrat-fateh-ali-khan-that-were-brought-back-to-life/afreen-afreen/slideshow/66192921.cms
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  42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As2HOmA86ek
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