Tribute to Ghazal King Mehdi Hassan

Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan first mesmerised connoisseurs with the rendition ‘Gulon Mein Rang Bhare Baad-e-Naubahaar Chale’ – step one of a long musical journey that lasted five decades. His death brings the curtain down on an era of lyricism, melody and poetry in Hindustani classical music.

Born in 1927 in Rajasthan in Luna Village, the king of ghazals passed away at a Karachi hospital on June 13. He was instrumental in opening up the evocative world of Urdu poetry and raising the profile of ghazals, which was once considered passé by the elite exponents of Hindustani classical music. The uncrowned king gave his voice to more than 20,000 songs and ghazals. His magic was not just confined to Pakistan as he charmed audiences all over the world. May his soul rest in peace as his melodious voice lives on in our hearts. 

Deepak Khazanchi

Deepak Khazanchi was born in Kashmir, India and came to Uganda with his parents at the age of two. Between the years 1973 and 1981 he was involved in playing for BBC UK Asian TV programme ‘Nai Zindagi Naya Jiwan’. Here he got the great opportunity of pursuing his talents by accompanying named artists from India and Pakistan. Accompaniment list includes Sri -- Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Jagjit & Chitra Singh, Mehdi Hasan, Gulam Ali Khan, Talat Mehmood, Hemant Kumar, Noor Jahan, Pankaj Udas, Anup Jalota, Gurdas Mann, Hans Raj Hans, Nutan (actress) Music directors: C. Ramchandra, Ravi, and so on & on.

What he had to say about Mehdi Hassan:

"True chosen professors by God are born to teach and leave something behind for the world to learn and follow forever. In India and Pakistan there is not a single true talented artiste who has not gained by the contribution of Dearest Ustadji Mehdi Hassan. I was so blessed to have been in association with him. 
RIP to the greatest

 legend." 

Parveen Adam: The golden voice of Bemisal Andaaz on East FM, Kenya’s Premier Asian Mix Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, will miss this maestro’s golden voice. "Many ghazal singers will enthral music lovers in the years to come but the kind of genius Mehdi Hassan was will be born after a century! He was not only an exponent of ghazal singing he sang the most memorable songs for Pakistani films. What a pity that with a failing health, increasing hospital bills, no income, he had to ask the government for financial assistance.

By the way he had nine sons and five daughters. How is a man gifted with a heavenly voice reduced to a feeble weak helpless occupant of a wheelchair attending a music function tears rolling down his bony cheeks. This painful sight will forever be etched in my mind. God give him ample rewards in paradise."

Bollywood stars also expressed their heartfelt condolences upon hearing of the death of Mehdi Hassan on the micro-blogging site, Twitter.

Shah Rukh Khan ‏@iamsrk

Memories of my mom cooking in a grimy kitchen as it rained outside, while Mehdi Hassan floated out of a Beltek 2 in 1.

Dilip Kumar ‏@TheDilipKumar

Thinking of Mehdi Hassan Miyan, his magical voice. Will pen down some thoughts soon.

Adnan Sami ‏@AdnanSamiLive

Mehdi Hassan Sahib has passed away.. With him so has a huge part of music.. An Institution of Music.. Extremely saddened.. RIP..

Dr Manmohan Singh ‏@PMOIndia

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has expressed deep grief over the passing away of noted Ghazal singer, Mehdi Hassan.

Shankar Mahadevan ‏@Shankar_Live

RIP #Mehdi Hassan saab, huge loss to the world of music...your Voice is immortal though.

Shreya Ghoshal ‏@shreyaghoshal

Mehdi Hassan sa'ab is no more. The voice, who made mny music lovers n lovers to find an expression of their heart's stories, is gone. RIP.

Anupam Kher ‏@AnupamPkher

Very saddened to hear about my fav Gazal Singer Mehdi Hassan's demise. As a student had gate crashed into Pak Embassy to listen to him. RIP.

Daler Mehndi ‏@dalermehndi

Saluting the Ghazal maestro Ustad Mehndi Hassan Khan Saheb on his final journey. An astounding singer and a great human.. Rab Rakha