Faisal Hussain was invited to reflect on the work of Oriental Star Agencies, and their revered status in the cultural hub, Balsall Heath. In a conversation that explored the intersection of music and faith, Faisal spoke of OSA’s success in promoting qawwali master Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s first performance outside of Pakistan and India in Balsall Heath in 1979.
To any one unfamiliar with Khan, Guardian journalist Ammar Kalia described how ‘his vocalisations have come to epitomise not only the tradition of the Sufi qawwali but the art of singing itself’.
Whilst the performance venue, the Luxor Cinema, and OSA have since closed, the enduring connection between the singer and Birmingham is still fresh in the memories of many. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan went on to perform at Moseley School of Art, Small Heath Park and festivals and cities across Europe – reaching new audiences as well as generations from the South Asian diasporas across the world.
At ‘A Joyful Noise’, audiences were invited to share in the conversation, engage in archival footage, and learn about True Form Project’s vision to catalogue and celebrate Oriental Star’s archives.
