Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan remembered on his 89th birthday
In 1964, his ghazal from a film Firangi 'Gulon mein rang bharay' gave him a major break
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Mehdi Hassan was born on 18th July 1926 in Rajasthan into a family of hereditary musicians.
Mehdi Hassan was one of the all- time great vocal artists of the Indian- subcontinent.
He is famously known as the “King of Ghazal” for his baritone voice.
His father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle, Ustad Ismail Khan, were esteemed vocalists who guided him on the classical path.
In 1957, he was given the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan which earned him recognition within the music fraternity.
In 1964, his ghazal from a film Firangi “Gulon mein rang bharay” gave him a major break in the industry.
Along with Ghulam Ali, Reshma and Saleem Shahzad, he was one of Pakistan’s few post-Partition playback singers to make inroads in India.
Mehdi Hassan has composed for Lata Mangeshkar who was so moved by his dulcet vocals that she’s reported to have said “Aisa lagta hai unke galay mein bhagwan boltay hain.”
Mehdi Hassan lent his voice in more than 300 films and it is said that in all he sang more than 5,000 songs (film numbers, ghazals, thumri, dadra etc). Some of the famous films in which his singing was widely appreciated are Dard, Bharosa, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Insaaf Aur Qanoon, Daman Aur Chingari and Aaina. His last hit number was ‘Aaj tu ghair sahi’ from the film Dahleez.
Shahnshah-e-ghazal died on 13th June 2012 after suffering a 12- year long illness.
He is still remembered for his beautiful compositions.
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