Written by: Mahnaz Shujrah
Posted on: August 17, 2018 | 
Mehdi Hassan (Source: Hindustan Times)
Faiz Ghar Music Class organized an event on Saturday, 11th August, to pay tribute to one of the biggest music icons of Pakistan, Mehdi Hassan, whose 91st birth anniversary was last month. The event consisted of multiple performances by different students, all of whom chose one of Mehdi Hassan’s songs to perform. Personally, the most inspiring aspect of the event was the diversity of age amongst the students; these were not professional singers, rather people who had a passion for learning the art. The small room was full of an encouraging audience, all sitting closely together on the floor, a reflection of the inclusive atmosphere.
The event started off with a bit of background on the iconic Mehdi Hassan. Born on July 18th, 1927 in Rajasthan of pre-partition India, he was initially named Ismail Khan. As a child, he was weak and fell seriously ill, and after many prayers, he recovered on the 8th of Muharram, after which he was renamed Mehdi Hassan. He was born into a traditional family of musicians, and his father and uncle had even been invited to the court of the Maharaja of Baroda, one of the greatest honors at the time. Growing up in this family of musicians, Mehdi Hassan gained an understanding of “raag” at the early age of six. By the time he was eight, he also performed in the presence of the Maharaja, who greatly appreciated him.
In 1946, due to political instability and lack of work, Mehdi Hassan decided to leave his hometown and seek new opportunities. He moved to Lahore and until 1952, he was working at a bicycle shop and later on as a car mechanic. Even during this period of his life, he had a very strong work ethic. His singing career kick started when he was given an opportunity to sing for Radio Pakistan, in 1952. His interest in Urdu poetry would lead him to explore ghazals. Over the next 30 years, Mehdi Hassan earned the title of Shahanshah-e-Ghazal (King of Ghazal).
The performances at Faiz Ghar ranged from some of his most famous ghazals to his lesser known songs. The event was moderated by Mr. Amjed Ali, who also performed “Ranjish Hee Sahi” towards the end. Ustad Basharat, who teaches singing at Faiz Ghar, also performed at the end. With “jashan-e-azadi” in the atmosphere, the most memorable song of the evening “Ye Watan Tumhara Hai,” was sung by Mr. Altaf Hussain, and spontaneously the audience joined in. Other songs from the film industry included, “Mujhe Dil Se Na Bhulana (Aina 1977)”, “Rafta Rafta Wo Meri (Zeenat 1975),” and “Mujhe Tum Nazar Se (Doraha 1967).”
Mehdi Hassan sang for more than 300 films, and his fan base stretched beyond Pakistan to India. His contributions as a playback singer not only made him famous, but they also made the film, poetry and poet memorable. For instance, Ahmed Faraz’s ghazal, “Ranjish Hee Sahi,” was immortalized when Mehdi Hassan sang it. He won many awards throughout his career, including nine Nigar Awards, the annual awards in the Pakistani film industry, for best playback singer. Having worked with the likes of Lata Mangeshkar, he was renowned in the Indian film industry as well, and in 1979, won the Saigal Award in Jalandhar, India. As his fame grew, he was also awarded the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu in Nepal, in 1983. In Pakistan, he continued working and recording songs with the likes of Noor Jehan and Runa Laila.
It is important to note that Mehdi Hassan changed ghazal from a purely classical genre to a semi-classical genre. This transition allowed the format of ghazal to be more openly adapted in films. However, the shift did not prevent him from conveying the original emotions behind a ghazal, in fact, he often went above and beyond it. For example, his rendition of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s “Gulon Main Rang Bhare,” was so moving that Faiz said the ghazal now belongs to Mehdi Hassan.
Mehdi Hassan had a very distinct style, which set him apart from his contemporaries. He developed a bond with his audience, which often consisted of people from diverse backgrounds and ages. The instrumentalists who would perform with him reflect on how he very nicely covered up their mistakes and encouraged improvement. His voice was so soulful that he did not depend upon the instruments to raise the level of his performances. He also did not perform for monetary benefits, and thus as a result, he was often paid much less than what he deserved.
Mehdi Hassan spent the last decade of his life in Karachi, and was very ill during this time. He passed away on 13th July, 2012, and the world was deprived of a beautiful voice. His songs can still be heard in households and streets, transcending borders and languages. The event at Faiz Ghar brought to life a different time, showcasing that music is universal and timeless. Mehdi Hassan will always be remembered as one of the all-time great ghazal singers, produced by the Indo-Pak Subcontinent.
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