Mehdi Hassan

Full Name: Mehdi Hasan Khan

Born: 18 July 1927, Luna, Rajputana Agency, British India

Died: 13 June 2012, Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan

Years Active: 1957–1999 (retired)

Awards: Pride of Performance, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Lux Style Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Also known as: Khan Sahib King of Ghazal

Genres: Classical Music, Ghazal, Playback Singing, Filmi

Mehdi Hassan: Pakistani Ghazal & playback singer

रंजिश ही सही दिल ही दुखाने के लिए आ,
आ फिर से मुझे छोड़ के जाने के लिये आ

Mehdi Hassan was born on 18 July 1927 in a village called Luna in Jodhpur district in British India into a family of traditional musicians. He claims to be the 16th generation of hereditary musicians hailing from the Kalawant clan of musicians. Mehdi Hassan had his musical grooming from his father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle Ustad Ismail Khan who were both traditional Dhrupad singers. Hassan started to perform at a young age and the first concert of dhrupad and khayal with his elder brother is reported to have been held in Fazilka Bungla, near present DC House (1935) of Undivided Punjab. His elder brother Pandit Ghulam Qadir also was very encouraging in sharpening his skills.

 गुलों में रंग भरे बाद-ए-नौ-बहार चले,
चले भी आओ के गुलशन का कार-ओ-बार चले

Singing Career:

In 1947, India became independent and its partition took place, creating a new, Muslim-majority country, Pakistan. The 20-year-old Hassan and his family migrated to Pakistan, carrying little with them by way of material goods. They suffered severe financial hardships in their new country. Mehdi initially started working in Ahmadpur East, in a bicycle shop Mughal Cycle House. He later became a car and diesel tractor mechanic. Despite the financial hardships, he kept up the routine of his singing practice on a daily basis.

मैं होश में था तो फिर उसपे मर गया कैसे,
ये जहर मेरे लहू में उतर गया कैसे

In 1957, Mehdi Hassan was again given the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan, primarily as a thumri singer, which earned him recognition within the musical fraternity. He had a passion for Urdu poetry, and therefore, he began to experiment by singing ghazals on a part-time basis. He cites radio officers Z.A. Bukhari and Rafiq Anwar as additional influences in his progression as a ghazal singer. He first sang on Radio Pakistan in 1952. His first film song was "Nazar Milte Hi Dil Ki Bat Ka Charcha Na Ho Jaye" film Shikar in 1956. This song was written by poet Yazdani Jalandhari and its music was composed by Asghar Ali M. Husain. In 1964, his ghazal for a film Farangi, "Gulon mein rang bhare, baad-e-naubahar chale" written by renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and composed by Rasheed Attre, gave him a major breakthrough into the Pakistani film industry and he never looked back after that. Even the original ghazal poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz stopped reciting it in his 'mushairas' (poetry reciting events) and, instead, recommended that the audience ask Mehdi Hassan to sing it for them because the poet jokingly used to say that the ghazal belonged to Mehdi Hassan after its popularity.

रफ़्ता रफ़्ता वो मेरे हस्ती का सामां हो गए,
पहले जां, फिर जान-ए-जां, फिर जान-ए-जाना हो गए

Following a severe illness in the late 1980s, Mehdi Hassan stepped down from playback singing. Later due to severity of his illness he completely departed from music.

गर्मी-ए-हसरत-ए-नाकाम से जल जाते हैं,
हम चराग़ों की तरह शाम से जल जाते हैं 

Tributes:

In 1977, Lata Mangeshkar was so moved by his dulcet vocals during a New Delhi concert that she’s reported to have said, “Aisa lagta hai ke unke gale mein bhagwan boltein hain,” (It feels like God is singing through his voice). In October 2010, HMV Label released "Sarhadein" in which probably the first and last duet song Tera Milana featuring Mehdi Hassan and Lata Mangeshkar was released. This song was composed by Mehdi Hassan himself, written by Farhat Shahzad. Mehdi Hassan recorded it in Pakistan in 2009, and Lata Mangeshkar later heard the track and recorded her part in India in 2010, and the song was later mixed together for a duet. The same duet, "Tera Milna," was also sung by Mehdi Hassan and Noor Jehan. Mehdi Hassan is regarded as one of the best singers in the sub-continent. On 18 July 2018, the day of his 91st birthday, Google featured Mehdi Hassan on its homepage doodle.

अब के हम बिछड़े तो शायद कभी ख़्वाबों में मिले,
जिस तरह सूखे हुए फूल किताबों में मिले

Deth: 

He had been suffering from a serious lung condition for a few years before his death. Mehdi Hassan died at around noon on 13 June 2012 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi after suffering a 12-year-long tenure of lung, chest and urinary tract diseases. Towards the end of 2000, he suffered his first stroke. He was given the best possible treatment by the doctors in Karachi. In 2005, he was taken to India for ayurvedic treatment where he was welcomed by A.B. Vajpayee, Dilip Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and many other of his Indian fans. He suffered his second stroke soon after he returned from India and that stroke left him speechless and helpless until his death on 13 June 2012.

मोहब्बत करनेवाले कम ना होंगे,
तेरी महफ़िल में लेकिन हम ना होंगे

He tagged as Shahenshah-E-Ghazal (King of Ghazal) by his fans and music critics. He is unparalleled when it comes to Ghazal singing. He carved his name prominently in the history of Ghazal singing. His influence of Ghazal singing from 60s to 80s led many other leading singers to sing Ghazals. Besides Ghazal singing he also worked as a playback singer in Lollywood.

Also he has great connection with his fans through live concerts. He had performed in many concerts in Pakistan and overseas. He almost performed in every famous concert hall of the world. The government of Pakistan has honored him with the Pride of Performance award in 1985 for his contribution to music industry. Also recently he is awarded with the Life Achievement Award by Pakistani Broadcasting Corporation.

Mehdi Hassan was born into a family of traditional musicians in 1927 in a village Luna of Rajasthan, India. His family belongs to the Kalawant musicians clan. Reportedly he is the 16th generation of this clan. Mehdi Hassan took his first lessons in music from father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle Ustad Ismail Khan. His father and uncle were traditional Dhrupad singers. His family moved to Pakistan after India-Pakistan partition, where he faced severe economic problems in the beginning.

To deal with financial problems Mehdi worked in bicycle shop and also worked as a car and diesel tractor mechanic before taking singing as career. Despite having critical problems he kept on practicing singing. Sunshine came to Mehdi's life when he got the opportunity to sing for Radio in 1952.

He was primarily used to sing Thumri on radio, with which he got attention from the music personalities. Also because of having passion for Urdu poetry, he also tried Ghazal on part time basis. The two radio officers who helped Mehdi to bring up his career were Rafiq Anwar and Z.A. Bukhari. These people gave him opportunities to sing Ghazals on radio. Due to which he get recognition as a ghazal singer in the audience and started loved by them for his singing. At that time masters like Begum Akhtar, Ustad Barkat Ali Khan, and Mukhtar Begum were the biggest names in ghazal singing.

Specialty of his singing is his command on Urdu, his Urdu adab, clear pronunciation, fetching of words. His singing is the combination of Dhrupad and Khayal. Also later he gave the Rajasthani folk touch to it. Along with his melodious voice, good lyrics also played a vital role in his success.

Also music directors from Pakistani Film fraternity and Radio Pakistan played big role in his career by using his voice for beautiful compositions. Mehdi's contribution to the film industry is like treasure. He was the lead playback singer of Pakistani Film Industry between 1960s to late 1980s. His songs still has the same impact in the audience as it was in that time. Many remained the inspiration and idol for many following ghazal singers.

Like Pakistan, he is also very much famous in India. Mehdi recently participated in 50th anniversary of Rajasthan celebrations in India. The event was participated by the leading artists of Rajasthani origin. Mehdi currently spending his life with family in Pakistan and USA.

Ghazals of Mehdi Hassan

Ghazals:

• Alam-e-Khwaab ho ya
• Aagay Barhe Na Qissa -E -Ishq -E- Butaan Se Hum
• Aaj tak yaad hai woh Pyaar ka Manzar
• Aaj Tu Ghair Sahi (Poet: Kemal Ahmad)
• Aa Ke Sajda Nashin Kais Hua (Poet: Mir Taqi Mir)
• Aankhon Se Mili Aankhen
• Aap Ki Aankhon Ne
• Aaye kuchh abr kuchh sharaab aaye (Poet: Faiz Ahmed Faiz)
• Ab Ke Hum Bichde To Shaayad Kabhi Khwaabon Mein Milein (Poet: Ahmed Faraz)[16]
• Ae Raushnion Ke Shahr Bata
• Anjuman Anjuman Shanaasaayi
• Apno Ne Gham Diye To Yaad Aa Gaya
• Arze Niyaze Ishq Ke
• Baat karni mujhe mushkil kabhi aisi tau na thii (poet: Bahadur Shah Zafar)
• Beqarari si Beqarari hai
• Bheegi Hui Aankhon Ka
• Bhuuli bisri chand umeedein
• Chalte ho to chaman ko chaliye (poet: Mir Taqi Mir)
• Chirag-e-toor Jalao bada Andhera hai (Poet: Saghar Siddiqui)
• Dekh to dil keh jaan se uthta hai (poet: Mir Taqi Mir)
• Dekhna Unka Kankhiyo Sey
• Dil-E-Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai (Poet: Mirza Ghalib)
• Dil-E-Veeran Hai Teri Yaad Hai Tanhai Hai
• Dil Ki Baat Labon Par Laakar.
• Dil mein ab yu tere Bhule huye ghum aate hai
• Deewar Dar Pe
• Dil Men Toofan Chupae Betha Hoon
• Duniya Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein Jaanat Se Kam Nahin
• Duniya Se Tujhko
• Dayam Pada Hua Tere Dar Pe Nahi Hoon Main (poet: Mirza Ghalib)
• Ek Bar Chale Aao
• Ek Bus Tu Hi Nahin Mujhse Khafa Ho Baitha (poet: Farhat Shezhad)
• Ek Jhalak Dikhla De
• Ek Khilta Hua Gulab
• Ek Sitam Aur Meri Jaan, Abhi Jaan Baqi Hai (poet: Masroor Anwar)
• Fikr hii thaharii to dil ko fikr-e-Khubaan kyon Na Ho (poet: Josh Malihabadi)
• faisla tumko bhool jane ka
• Ga mere Deewaane Dil
• Garmi-e-Hasrat-e-Naakaam se jal Jaate Hain
• Garche Sau Bar ghum-e-hijr se jaan
• Ghazab Kiya Tere Waade Pe Aitbaar Kiya (poet: Daagh Dehalvi)
• Gair Banke na mile hum
• Go zara si baat par Barso ke Yaaraane gaye
• Gulon mein Rang Bhare Baad-e-Naubahar Chale (Lyrics: Faiz Ahmed Faiz)[16]
• Gulshan gulshan shola e gul ki
• Guncha-e-Shauq Laga hei Khilne
• Hamari Sanson Men Aaj Tak
• Har Dard Ko
• Humein koi ghum nahi tha ghum-e-Aashiqi se Pehle
• Hum hi mein thi na koi baat
• Ik husn ki devi se Mujhe Pyaar hua tha
• Ik khalish ko haasil-e-umr-e-ravaan rehne diya (poet: Adeeb Saharanpuri)
• Jab bhi aati hai teri yaad Kabhi Shaam ke baad
• Jab Bhi Chahen Ek Nai Soorat
• Jab Bhi Pee Kar
• Jab Koi Piar Se Bulaae Ga, Tujh Ko Ik Shakhsh Yaad Aaey Ga (poet: Khawaja Pervez)
• Jab Tere Nain Muskurate Hain (Raag Sahara)
• Jab Us Zulf Ki Baat Chali
• Jahan Jake Chain
• Jo Chahte ho woh Kehte ho (Raag Nat Bhairav)
• Kahan Gai Woh Wafa
• Khuli Jo Aankh Woh Tha (poet: Farhat Shezhad)
• Kiya Hei Pyaar Jisse Humne Zindagi ki Tarah
• Kya Bhala Mujhko Parakhne Ka Nateeja Nikla
• Kyoon Humse Khafa Ho Gaye Ae Jaan-E-Tamanna
• Main Hosh Mein Tha
• Main Khayal hoon kisi aur ka (poet: Saleem Kausar)
• Main Nazar se pee raha hoon
• Mohabat Karne Waale (Raag Khamaj)
• Mohabat Zindagi Hai Aur Tum Meri Mohabat Ho
• Mujhe Tum Nazar Se Gira To Rahe Ho
• Naavak andaz jidhar diida-e-jaana honge ( poet: Momin Khan Momin)
• Nishan Bhi Koi Na Chhora keh
• Patta Patta Boota Boota haal Hamaara Jaane hai (poet: Mir Taqi Mir)
• Phuul hi phuul khil utthe
• Pyaar Bhare Do Sharmile Nain
• Qissa-E-Gham Mein Tera Naam
• Rafta Rafta woh meri Hasti ka Saamaan ho gaye
• Ranjish Hi Sahi Dil Hi Dukhaane Ke Liye Aa ( poet: Ahmed Faraz) (Raag Yaman)
• Rim Jhim Ki Barsaat Hai Aur Jaage Huye Jazbaat Hain
• Roshan Jamal-e-yaar se hai
• Shaheron Mulkon Main jo Ye Mir ( poet: Mir Taqi Mir)
• Saamne Aa Ke Tujhko Pukara Nahin (poet: Khawaja Pervez)
• Sahar Ho Rahi Hai
• Shikwa Na Kar Gila Na Kar Ye Duniya Hai Pyaare
• Shola tha jal Bujha hoo (poet: Ahmed Faraz) (Raag Kirwani)
• Tanha thi aur Hamesha se Tanha hai Zindagi
• Tark-e-Ulfat ka sila
• Tere Bheege Badan ki Khushboo se
• Tere mere Pyaar ka aisa Naata hai
• Teri Khushi mein agar gham mein bhi Khushi na huyi (Raag Madhuwanti)
• Toote huye Khwaabo ke liye
• Thahar Thori der to
• Tune Yeh Phuul Jo Zulfon Me Saja Rakha Hai (poet: Qateel Shifai)
• Tu meri Zindagi hai (Copied by Nadeem Sharavan in "Aashiqi" Hindi Movie India)
• Usne jab meri Taraf
• Uzr aane mein bhi hai aur Bulaate bhi nahi (poet: Daagh Dehalvi)
• Woh Dilnawaz hai Lekin Nazar Shanaas nahi
• Yaad Teri ny Zamane ko Bhulla Rakha Hy
• Yaaro kisi Qaatil se Kabhi Pyaar na Maango
• Yun na mil mujhse khafa ho jaise (Raags Bilawal and Bhairavi)
• Ye Dhuaan kaha se Uthta hai
• Ye Kaghzi Phool Jaise Chahre
• Ye Mojeza bhi Mohabbat Kabhi Dikhaaye Mujhe (Raag MadhuKauns)
• Ye Tera Naazuk Badan Hai Ya Koi Mehka Gulaab
• Yoon Zindagi Ki Raah Mein Takra Gaya Koi
• Zindagi Mein To Sabhi Pyaar Kiya Karte Hain
• Zulf Ko Teri Ghataon Ka Payam Aaya Hai
• Mehadi Hassan also sang Persian/dari ghazals in Kabul Afghanistan in 1970s.