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Fans remember legendary singer Mehdi Hassan on his seventh death anniversary today. Also known as Shenshah-e-Ghazal, Mehdi Hassan had ruled Pakistan’s music industry for more than four decades. He died on June 13th, 2012 in Karachi.
Death Anniversary of Shahenshah-e-Ghazal Mehdi Hassan Khan is being observed today. In 1957, he was given the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan, primarily as a thumri singer, which earned him recognition within the music industry. pic.twitter.com/gIduq8MC4v
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 13, 2019
Mehdi Hassan started his career in 1957 as a Thumri singer on Radio Pakistan and soon gained widespread fame with his magical voice. He created music which touched the heart of millions, on and across the borders. India’s legendary singer, Lata Mangeshkar, the Goddess of singing, is among the many followers of Mehdi Hassan. Mangeshkar once commented on Mehdi: ‘It seems as if God Himself speaks in his voice.’
Sadly, in 1999 Mehdi was forced to quit singing due to severe a lungs disease. He was born on June 18, 1927 in Rajasthan but migrated to Pakistan at the age of 20 in I947. Hassan had faced financial hardship in the early years of migration and even worked as a mechanic to feed his family.
Mehdi Hassan is the recipient of several national awards including Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, and Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
Born into a musical family, Mehdi Hassan had a penchant for singing at an early age. He claimed that he belonged to the 16th generation of hereditary musicians hailing from the Kalawant clan of musicians. He received early training from his father who himself was a prominent traditional Dhrupad singer.
His deep, husky, and sonorous voice captured the hearts of millions of people; the emotionality in his ghazals even brought many to tears. Over time, he became a prolific classical singer, proving his mettle by rendering the challenging raga-based composition.
He ventured into films in 1962 and landed his vocals to the song ‘Jis ne mere dil ko dard diya’ for the movie ’Susral’. He got his biggest break in 1964 when he sang ‘Gulon mai rang bharay’ for film ‘Farangi’. He sang and created soundtracks for almost 300 movies, and amongst his classics are, ‘Ranjish he sahi’.
Read more: Remembering the King: Google pays tribute to Mehdi Hassan
Mehdi Hassan is the recipient of several national awards including Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, and Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
The Government of Nepal decorated him with the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu, one of the highest honors given traditionally by the king in 1983 and the Government of India bestowed upon him the K. L. Saigal Sangeet Shahenshah Award.
amazing lyrics https://t.co/9Gs4fnUSUk
— . (@TawhidAnam) June 13, 2019