Mehdi Hassan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mehdi Hassan, TI, PP, HI (Urdu: مہدی حسن) affectionately called Khan Sahib and titled as "Shahenshah-e-Ghazal" (English: King of Ghazals) is a well-known Pakistani Ghazal singer and a former playback singer for Lollywood.
Contents |
[edit] History
Mehdi Hassan was born in the village of Luna in Rajasthan, India in 1927 into a family of rich traditional musicians. He claims to be the 16th generation of hereditary musicians hailing from the Kalawant. Kala means "Art" and Kalawant means "artist" (in any Indian language). Mehdi Hassan received his musical training and grooming under his father, Ustad Azeem Khan and his uncle Ustad Ismail Khan who were classical musicians, well-versed in dhrupad singing. They instructed him in classical music and voice production within the framework of classical forms of thumri, dhrupad, khayal and dadra, from the young age of eight. After the Partition of India, 20 year-old Mehdi Hassan and his family migrated to Pakistan and suffered severe financial hardships. To make ends meet, Mehdi Hassan began working in a bicycle shop and later became a car and diesel tractor mechanic. Despite the hardships, his passion for music didn't wither and he kept up the routine of practice on a daily basis.
[edit] Career
The struggle ended when Mehdi Hassan was given the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan in 1952, primarily as a thumri singer, which earned him recognition within the musical fraternity. At the time, Ustad Barkat Ali Khan, Begum Akhtar and Mukhtar Begum were considered the stalwarts of ghazal gayaki.
Mehdi Hassan also had a passion for Urdu poetry and 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. They gave him ample opportunities to display his mastery over the ghazal on radio. He sang ghazals of all the renowned Urdu poets and his innovative style was soon appreciated by both masses and discerning audiences.
Mehdi Hassan’s voice and unique performance skills in ghazal singing were unmatched in the world of South Asian music. The 60s and 70s can be named Mehdi Hassan’s decades’, as there was hardly any hero in the Pakistani musical scene on whom Mehdi Hassan’s songs were not filmed.
[edit] King of Ghazals
He is universally acclaimed as the finest ghazal singer of his time, perhaps of all time. His unsurpassable vocal range and his mastery over even the most difficult of raags makes him the undisputed emperor of ghazals. His popularity amongst the masses, appreciation by the masses, and continued success over five decades makes him on par with Noor Jehan in the league of the greatest Pakistani singers of all time. The ultimate tribute to his greatness was from the eternal nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar, who compared his songs to " voice of god " . Talat Aziz is one of his famous disciples.[1]
[edit] Stepping Down
Following a severe illness in the late 80s, Mehdi Hassan stepped down from playback singing. Later due to severity of his illness he completely departed from music. He now lives a secluded life in Karachi which he has made his permanent residence. Nevertheless he often visits Lahore where he spends most of his time with his children and other family members.
[edit] Trivia
While he was singing in the Court of Nepal's King Shah Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, he forgot the lines of his song "Zindagi mein to sabhii pyar kya kerte hain". Shah, then stood from his seat and start singing the next line. This was really a great tribute to him.
[edit] Awards
He has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions: the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz granted to him by Gen Ayub Khan; the Pride of Performance bestowed on him by Gen Ziaul Haq; and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz conferred by Gen Pervez Musharraf. Besides the Nigar Film and Graduate Awards from Pakistan, he was presented the Saigal Award in Jalandhar, India, in 1979, whereas the Gorkha Dakshan Bahu Award was given to him in Nepal in 1983. Recently, he travelled to Dubai to receive yet another award.
[edit] Discography
- Kehna Usey
- Nazrana
- Live at Royal Albert Hall
- Andaz-e- Mastana
- Classical Ghazals vol. 1, 2, 3
- Dil Jo Rota Hai
- Ghalib Ghazals
- Ghazals For Ever Vol 1
- Golden Collection Of Mehdi Hasan Vol 1, 2
- Golden Greats
- In Concert
- Khuli Jo Aankh
- Life Story
- Live at Khambays
- Live Concert in India
- Mehdi Hassan
- Mehdi Hassan Ghazals Vol 1
- Sada E Ishq
- Sarhadein
- Sur Ki Koi Seema Nahin
- The Finest Ghazals
- The Legend
- Yaadgar Ghazalen Vol 1
Liverpool, UK
[edit] Ghazals
- Aage barhe na qissa -e -ishq -e- butaan se hum
- Aaj Tak Yaad Hai Woh Piar Ka Manzar
- Aankhon Se Mili Aankhen
- Aap Ki Aankhon Ne
- Aaye Kuchh Abr Kuchh Sharaab Aaye
- Ab Ke Hum Bichde To Shaayad Kabhi Khwaabon Mein Mile
- Ae Raushnion Ke Shahr
- Apnon Ne Gham Diye To Yaad Aa Gaya
- Bhuuli bisri chand umeedein
- Chalte ho to chaman ko chaliye
- Dekh to dil keh jaan se uthta hai
- Dil-E-Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai ( Lyrics: Mirza Ghalib )
- Dil Ki Baat Labon Par Laakar
- Dil Men Toofan Chupae Betha Hon
- Duniya Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein Jaanat Se Kam Nahin
- Dayam Pada Hua Tere Dar Pe Nahi Hoon Main
- Ek Bar Chale Aao
- Fikr Hii Thaharii To Dil Ko Fikr-E-Khubaa.N Kyo.N Na Ho
- Ga Mere Dewane Dil
- Garmii-E-Hasarat-E-Naakaam Se Jal Jaate Hai.N
- Gulo.N Me.N Rang Bhare, Baad-E-Naubahaar Chale
- Gulshan gulshan shola e gul ki
- Guncha-e-Shauq Laga hei Khilne
- Hamari Sanson Men Aaj Tak
- Har Dard Ko
- Ik Husn Ki Dewi Se Mujhe Pyaar Hua Thaa
- Jab Bhi Aati Hei Teri Yaad Kabhi Shaam ke Baad
- Jab Bhi Chahen Ek Nai Sorat
- Jab Bhi Pee Kar
- Jab Koi Piar Se Bulaae Ga
- Jahan Jake Chain
- Kahan Gai Woh Wafa
- 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
- Mohabat Karne Wale
- Mohabat Zindagi Hai Aur Tum Meri Mohabat Ho
- Mujhe Tum Nazar Se Gira To Rahe Ho
- Naavak andaz jidhar diida-e-jaana honge
- Phuul hi phuul khil utthe
- Pyaar Bhare Do Sharmile Nain
- Rafta Rafta Wo Meri Hasti Ka Saamaan Ho Gaye
- Ranjish Hi Sahi Dil Hi Dukhaane Ke Liye Aa
- Rim Jhim Ki Barsaat Hai Aur Jaage Huye Jazbaat Hain
- Saamne Aa Ke Tujhko Pukara Nahin
- Sahar Ho Rahi Hai
- Shikwa Na Kar Gila Na Kar Ye Duniya Hai Pyaare
- Tanha Thi Aur Hamesha Se Tanha Hai Zindagi
- Tark-e-Ulfat Ka Sila
- Tere Bheege Badan Ki Khooshboo Se
- Tere Mere Piar Ka Aisa Nata Hai
- Thah ar Thorri Der To
- Tu Meri Zindagi Hei (Copied by Nadeem Sharavan in "Ashiqi" Hindi Movie India)
- Usne Jab Meri Taraf
- Uzr Aane Mein Bhi Hei Aur Bulaate bhi nahin
- Wo Dil Nawaaj Hei Lekin Nazar Shinaas Nahin
- Yaaro Kisii Qaatil Se Kabhii Pyaar Na Maa.Ngo
- Ye Dhooan Kahan Se Uthta Hei
- Ye Kaghzi Phool Jaise Chahre
- Ye Mojazaa Bhii Muhabbat Kabhii Dikhaaye Mujhe
- 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
