Writing this with a very heavy heart. And tears in my eyes. I feel really sad that we lost two great Ghazal singers in Jagjith Singh and Mehdi Hassan within a year.
When I got to know that the song ‘Sadaa Kannale’ from Kavirathna Kalidasa was based on a ghazal, I was curious to find out which one. During my stint in Music World, I stumbled upon the song one afternoon while arranging the newly arrived ‘The Finest Ghazals of Mehdi Hassan’ CDs and Cassettes! The song was ‘Nawazish Karam Shukariya Meherbani’.
I bought a cassette immediately. And I played it that night with all lights off. It was an out of the world exprience when I heard such a sublime voice. When I first heard the Ranjish He Sahi – I loved the line “pahale Se Maraasim Na Sahii Phir Bhii Kabhii To, rasm-o-rahe Duniyaa Hii Niibhaane Ke Liye Aa” … by which time there were tears in my eyes! The jal-tarang at the beginning of the song was so refreshing, along with the golden voice. Ghazal after ghazal, each nagme and Mehndi hassan’s voice would make me quiet and melancholic as the hours slowly passed.! I have heard the tape a few hundred times. And it is always in the night that I play Mehndi Hassan. I love ‘Nawazish Karam’ (my special favourite along with Ranjish He Sahi). My other Mehdi Hassan favourites are.
- Patta Patta Boota Boota Hal Hamara Jane Hai
- Kaise Kaise Log Hamare
- Phool Hi Phool Khil Uthe
- Zindagi Mein To Sabhi
- Mujhe Tum Nazar Se Gira To Rahe Ho
- Gulon Mein Rang Bhare
Hassan leaves behind a legacy, a treasure trough of beautiful melodies. As he himself sang:
Ab ke hum bichhade to shaayad kabhii khwabon mein milen jis tarah suukhe hue phool kitaabon mein milen
Aaj ham daar pe kheenche gaye jin baaton par kyaa ajab kal vo zamaane ko nisaabon mein milen
Will surely miss the voice of god!
Rambling with Bellur 