Mehdi Hassan Khan (; 18 July 1927 – 13 June 2012), known as Mehdi Hassan, was a Pakistani ghazal singer and playback singer of great renown. Known as Shahenshah-e-Ghazal (, "Emperor of Ghazal"), he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of ghazal singing. Known for his "haunting" baritone voice, Hassan is credited with bringing ghazal singing to a worldwide audience. He is unique for his melodic patterns and maintaining integrity of the ragas in an innovative way.

Born into a family of Kalawant musicians, Hassan was naturally inclined towards music from a young age. He influenced generations of singers from diverse genres, from Jagjit Singh to Parvez Mehdi. He earned numerous awards and accolades during his lifetime and remained a leading singer of Pakistani film industry, along with contemporary playback singer Ahmed Rushdi; it is estimated that Hassan sang for over 300 films during his career. in the village of Luna, then located in the Jaipur State of the Rajputana Agency in British India but now in the Indian state of Rajasthan, into a family of traditional musicians. Hassan started singing at the age of 4-5 and writing lyrics and composing music at the age of 6 completing it with his father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle Ustad Ismail Khan who were both traditional dhrupad singers. Hassan started his career primarily as a thumri exponent. His 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 instrumental in sharpening his skills. Despite the financial hardships, he kept up his singing practice on a daily basis. 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. so immense was the popularity of Hassan's rendition of the ghazal that Faiz stopped reciting it in his 'mushairas' (poetry reciting events) and, instead, recommended that the audience ask Hassan to sing it for them, because the ghazal now belonged to Hassan. He also received treatment for lung, urinary tract, and chest ailments at several hospitals in Pakistan for about 12 years prior to his death. Towards the end of 2000, he suffered his first stroke while in Kerala, India. In 2005, he was taken to India for ayurvedic treatment where he was welcomed by A.B. Vajpayee, Dilip Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and many of his Indian fans. He suffered his second stroke soon after he returned from India which left him with speech impairments and is said to have revolutionized the way ghazals were sung. In 1977, Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar was so moved by his dulcet vocals during a New Delhi concert that she reportedly said, "Aisa lagta hai ke unke gale mein bhagwan boltein hain" (it seems as though like God is singing through his voice). On 18 July 2018, the day of his 91st birthday, Google featured Hassan on its homepage doodle. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani paid tribute to Hassan, calling him "an icon who mesmerized music lovers" for decades. and that "the influence of his passion for Urdu poetry and initial grooming in Dhrupad tradition earned for him a special place in the world of music."

Musicians and his students worldwide

Some of the musicians who are associated with him :

  • Ustad Pir Bakhsh, Tabla player
  • Ustad Mohammed Hussain
  • Ustad Tari Khan, Tabla player

Some of his students are:

  • Pervaiz Mehdi
  • Riaz Mehdi
  • Talat Aziz
  • Rajkumar Rizvi
  • Salamat Ali
  • Afzal, Munni Subhani
  • Rehan Ahmed Khan
  • Shamshad Husain Chanda
  • Shahnaz Begum (Bangladesh)
  • Yasmin Mushtari (Bangladesh)
  • Irshad Ali Mehdi
  • Hariharan
  • Tari Khan
  • Amir Yaseen
  • Syed Zeeshan Ali (London UK)
  • Alamgir Mir (London)
  • Israr Chishti

Family

Mehdi Hassan had 14 children. As many as 8 of his sons were active in the field of music. Unfortunately two of his sons passed away.

List of his sons.

  • Tariq Mehdi Hassan (Versatile Playback Singer)
  • Arif Mehdi Hassan (Deceased) was Classical Tabla Player
  • Asif Mehdi Hassan (Deceased) was a Playback & Ghazal Singer
  • Kamran Mehdi Hassan Playback & Ghazal Singer)
  • Imran Mehdi Hassan (Classical Tabla Player & Versatile Singer)
  • Faizan Mehdi Hassan (Versatile Ghazal Singer).
  • Sajjad Mehdi Hassan (Deceased) (D.S.P Punjab Police)
  • Shahzad Mehdi Hassan ( Ghazal Singer)
  • Waris Hassan Mehdi ( Pop Singer)
  • Sadiq Mehdi Hasan (Excise Officer)

Awards

Civilian honours

The following civilian honours have been conferred on him, in chronological order.

The Government of India

  • 1979 - K. L. Saigal Award in Jalandhar, India
  • Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

Nigar Awards

  • 1964–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Farangi
  • 1968–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Saiqa
  • 1969–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Zarqa
  • 1972–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Meri Zindagi Hai Naghma
  • 1973–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Naya Rasta
  • 1974–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Sharafat
  • 1975–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Zeenat
  • 1976–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Shabana
  • 1977–Nigar Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Aaina
  • 1999–Nigar Award Special Millennium Award

He had 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 Dakshina Bahu Award was given to him in Nepal in 1983. Latterly, he travelled to Dubai to receive yet another award.

Albums

Some of his albums are:

  • Kehna Usey
  • Nazarana
  • 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 Hassan 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
  • Tarz (with Shobha Gurtu)
  • Naqsh-e-Faryadi
  • Mehdi Hassan (EMI-Pakistan Released) VOLUME 1
  • Mehdi Hassan Sings Punjabi Film Hits (EMI-Pakistan Released)
  • Mehdi Hassan (EMI-Pakistan Released) VOLUME 2
  • Mehdi Hassan & Ghulsm Ali Eternal Jewels Live At Ras Barse On Zee TV

Ghazals

{| class="wikitable"

!Song / Ghazal Title

!Poet / Lyricist

!Raga

!Year

!Album / Collection

!Film

!Notes

|-

|Alam-e-Khwaab ho ya

|—

|Yaman

|c. 1972

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|Radio Pakistan

|-

|Aagay Barhe Na Qissa-e-Ishq-e-Butaan Se Hum

|Mirza Ghalib

|—

|c. 1968

|Ghazals Vol. 1

|Non-film

|Early recording

|-

|Aaj tak yaad hai woh pyaar ka manzar

|Shevan Rizvi

|—

|c. 1974

|Ghazals Vol. 2

|Sehray kay Phool

|

|-

|Aaj Tu Ghair Sahi

|Kemal Ahmad

|Bhairavi

|1975

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Non-film

|Signature ghazal

|-

|Aa Ke Sajda Nashin Kais Hua

|Mir Taqi Mir

|Kafi

|c. 1970

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Aankhon Se Mili Aankhen

|Fyaz Hashmi

|—

|c. 1976

|Ghazals Vol. 4

|Hazar Dastaan

|

|-

|Aap Ki Aankhon Ne

|—

|—

|c. 1973

|Ghazals Vol. 2

|Non-film

|

|-

|Aap Ko Bhool Jaayen Hum

|Tasleem Fazli

|—

|c. 1978

|Ghazals Vol. 5

|Tum Milay Pyar Mila

|

|-

|Aaye Kuch Abr

|Faiz Ahmed Faiz

|—

|1979

|Faiz – Mehdi Hassan

|Non-film

|Faiz centenary phase

|-

|Ab Ke Hum Bichde To Shaayad

|Ahmed Faraz

|Yaman

|1977

|Ghazals Vol. 4

|Angaray

|

|-

|Ae Raushniyon Ke Shahr Bata

|Tanvir Naqvi

|—

|c. 1975

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Chingari

|

|-

|Anjuman Anjuman Shanaasaayi

|Tufail Hoshyaarpuri

|—

|c. 1974

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Non-film

|

|-

|Apno Ne Gham Diye To Yaad Aa Gaya

|Khawaja Parvaiz

|—

|c. 1972

|Ghazals Vol. 2

|Anjaan

|

|-

|Arz-e-Niyaz-e-Ishq Ke

|Mirza Ghalib

|—

|c. 1971

|Ghazals Vol. 2

|Non-film

|

|-

|Baat Karni Mujhe Mushkil Kabhi Aisi To Na Thi

|Bahadur Shah Zafar

|—

|c. 1971

|Golden Collection

|Non-film

|

|-

|Beqarari Si Beqarari Hai

|Jaun Elia

|—

|c. 1976

|Ghazals Vol. 4

|Non-film

|

|-

|Bheegi Hui Aankhon Ka

|Tasleem Fazli

|—

|c. 1973

|Ghazals Vol. 2

|Be Misaal

|

|-

|Bhuuli Bisri Chand Umeedein

|Razi Tirmizi

|—

|c. 1978

|Ghazals Vol. 5

|Non-film

|

|-

|Chalte Ho To Chaman Ko Chaliye

|Mir Taqi Mir

|Khamaj

|c. 1969

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Chirag-e-Toor Jalao Bada Andhera Hai

|Saghar Siddiqui

|—

|1974

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Non-film

|

|-

|Dekh To Dil Ke Jaan Se Uthta Hai

|Mir Taqi Mir

|Kafi

|c. 1970

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Dekhna Unka Kankhiyon Se

|Farhat Shahzad

|—

|c. 1975

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Non-film

|

|-

|Dil-e-Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai

|Mirza Ghalib

|Yaman

|1967

|Ghazals Vol. 1

|Non-film

|Breakthrough ghazal

|-

|Dil-e-Veeran Hai Teri Yaad Hai Tanhai Hai

|Khawaja Pervaiz

|—

|c. 1976

|Ghazals Vol. 4

|Aaina

|

|-

|Dil Ki Baat Labon Par Laakar

|Habib Jalib

|—

|c. 1973

|Ghazals Vol. 2

|Non-film

|

|-

|Dil Mein Ab Yun Tere Bhule Huye Gham Aate Hain

|Faiz Ahmed Faiz

|—

|c. 1974

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Non-film

|

|-

|Dayam Pada Hua Tere Dar Pe Nahin Hoon Main

|Mirza Ghalib

|Darbari Kanada

|c. 1973

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Ek Baar Chale Aao

|Tasleem Fazli

|—

|c. 1975

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Aik Raat

|

|-

|Ek Bus Tu Hi Nahin Mujhse Khafa Ho Baitha

|Farhat Shezhad

|—

|c. 1978

|Ghazals Vol. 5

|Non-film

|

|-

|Ek Jhalak Dikhla De

|Tasleem Fazli

|—

|c. 1972

|Ghazals Vol. 2

|Mr. Ranjha

|

|-

|Ek Sitam Aur Meri Jaan

|Masroor Anwar

|—

|1978

|Ghazals Vol. 5

|Saiqa

|

|-

|Fikr Hi Thahari To Dil Ko Fikr-e-Khubaan Kyon Na Ho

|Josh Malihabadi

|—

|c. 1976

|Ghazals Vol. 4

|Non-film

|

|-

|Gham Ki Aandhi Chali

|—

|Lalit

|1972

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Ghazab Kiya Tere Waade Pe Aitbaar Kiya

|Daagh Dehalvi

|—

|c. 1968

|Golden Collection

|Non-film

|

|-

|Gulon Mein Rang Bhare Baad-e-Naubahar Chale

|Faiz Ahmed Faiz

|Yaman

|1981

|Faiz – Mehdi Hassan

|Non-film

|

|-

|Ik Khalish Ko Haasil-e-Umr-e-Ravaan Rehne Diya

|Adeeb Saharanpuri

|—

|1974

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Non-film

|

|-

|Jab Koi Pyaar Se Bulaayega

|Khawaja Parvaiz

|—

|1976

|Ghazals Vol. 4

|Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai

|

|-

|Jab Tere Nain Muskurate Hain

|—

|Sahara

|1973

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Jo Chahte Ho Woh Kehte Ho

|Aal-e-Raza Raza

|Nat Bhairav

|c. 1975

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Main Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka

|Saleem Kausar

|—

|1985

|Golden Collection (Later Years)

|Non-film

|Late-career classic

|-

|Mohabbat Karne Waale

|Hafeez Hoshiarpuri

|Khamaj

|1972

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Mujhe Tum Nazar Se Gira To Rahe Ho

|Masroor Anwar

|—

|1974

|Ghazals Vol. 3

|Doraha

|

|-

|Naavak Andaaz Jidhar Deeda-e-Jaana Honge

|Momin Khan Momin

|Darbari Kanada

|c. 1971

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Patta Patta Boota Boota Haal Hamaara Jaane Hai

|Mir Taqi Mir

|Kafi

|c. 1969

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Ranjish Hi Sahi Dil Hi Dukhaane Ke Liye Aa

|Ahmed Faraz

|Yaman

|1981

|Ghazals Vol. 6

|Non-film

|Most covered ghazal

|-

|Shola Tha Jal Bujha Hoon

|Ahmed Faraz

|Kirwani

|1984

|Ghazals Vol. 6

|Non-film

|

|-

|Yun Na Mil Mujhse Khafa Ho Jaise

|Ehsan Danish Kandlvi

|Bilawal, Bhairavi

|c. 1978

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Yeh Mojeza Bhi Mohabbat Kabhi Dikhaaye Mujhe

|Qateel Shifai

|MadhuKauns

|c. 1980

|Classical Ghazals

|Non-film

|

|-

|Zindagi Mein To Sabhi Pyaar Kiya Karte Hain

|Qateel Shifai

|—

|1983

|Ghazals Vol. 6

|Azmat

|

|-

|Ulti Ho Gayi Sab Tadbeerein, Kuchh Na Dawa Ne Kaam Kiya

|Mir Taqi Mir

|—

|c. 1967

|Ghazals Vol. 1

|Non-film

|

|-

|Persian / Dari Ghazals (Kabul recordings)

|Hafez, Sa‘di, others

|—

|1976

|Kabul Radio Recordings

|Non-film

|Afghanistan tour

|}

See also

  • Begum Akhtar
  • Talat Mahmood
  • Ghulam Ali
  • Jagjit Singh
  • Pankaj Udhas

References

  • of Mehdi Hassan
  • India-born Ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan Died