INDIA/FILE: Thousands of fans of Pakistan-based singer Mehdi Hassan heartbroken on learning his death in Karachi

Record ID: 1380797

  • Title: INDIA/FILE: Thousands of fans of Pakistan-based singer Mehdi Hassan heartbroken on learning his death in Karachi
  • Date: 14th June 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) DJ FROM THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO WORKING IN BEIJING FRANK BAELONGANDI SAYING: "I felt the energy, the opportunity, and I felt the magnitude. Like how big stuff are here and how big stuff will be in the future. And so I just decided 'OK I think that's the place I should stay.' Like people talk about being in the right place at the right time. I
  • Embargoed: 28th June 2012 21:17
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Obituaries,People
  • Reuters ID: LVACAF5XY8RHCH3Y7V365LUK4DPL
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Thousands of fans of Pakistan-based Ghazal (lyrical Urdu couplets) singer Mehdi Hassan who was regarded as a musician with the 'Voice of God' rued on learning his death at Karachi on Wednesday (June 13).
    India-born Ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan breathed his last earlier in the day following multiple organ failure at the age of 84.
    Renowned Indian singer Anoop Jalota shared his emotional thoughts about the veteran artiste.
    He said that Hasan had a soulful voice and had a huge fan following in the Indian film industry.
    "Lata Mangeshkar had said that Allah rests in Mehdi Hassan's voice. The Allah talks to us through his voice. I still remember when he came to India for the first time. Several prominent personalities and artistes from the film industry gathered to receive him and welcome him in the traditional way of Indian reception of Aarati (lit lamps) offering. None of the artistes have got such respect and love like Mehdi Hassan. He deserved such respect and I am saddened by his demise," recalled Jalota.
    Hassan, who had millions of fans in India and Pakistan, had been admitted to the Agha Khan Hospital in the port city of Karachi some days ago.
    He had been in a serious condition and was on ventilator.
    Terming Hasan a 'university of his kind of music', Jalota said that several Indian singers imitated his voice and he was one of the many, a fact that he is proud of.
    "Many great musicians are schools of their art forms but Mehdi Hassan was a university. Hasan has sung most emotional Ghazals (Urdu lyrical couplets). Other musicians have made their careers by listening to him. They have even imitated him and so have I. I still do so and I say this with pride. Even if someone sings a little like him then he would be counted as one of the great singers," added Jalota.
    Hassan came from a family of musicians who migrated from Rajastha to Pakistan after the Partition in 1947.
    Although he was best known for rendering ghazals, he also carved out a name for himself singing Indian classical Thumris and lent his voice as a playback singer for scores of Paksitani films.
    He received a number of awards and honours, among them the Saigal Award in India.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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