Tribute to ShahenShah-e-Ghazal
E A Prince, In-charge, Law and Human Rights

E tera Najuk Badan he
Kiya koi meheka gulab
Kiya koru tarif teri
Har yada he la jawab…

The above is the song of undying love for his beloved. Anyone loves songs will imagine the very passionate moment with his sweetheart listening this piece of music. Even if you are ill-fated enough to have a darling for your life, this song will craft a home for love in your heart. This is the power of music where language and location does not matter at all at least to the lovers of music.

And Mehdi Hassan; the legend of ghazal has conquered the hearts of all music lovers in the world; especially in the subcontinent. The passionate lovers of music cannot assume a day without his music unheard and unsung.

But all his pieces of music turned into sad songs for the aficionados of ghazals. Ghazal is the most idealistic form of romantic songs especially in our country. It encompasses various classical form of sonata with it which is particular of this continental music taste. He was driven by his own fashion of music which made him unrivaled and only one of its kind in ghazal.

But his pleasant voice will not tirelessly deliver charismatic songs any more swaying the audience beyond time. This exceptional voice will keep silence forever and will not render any song for anyone. He just passed away at 84. He was born in 1927. The little child just born will not listen the live sweet voice of this ShahenShah-e-Ghazal. Only the dusty road of Rajasthan and his countless fans will remember his classical voice and sing---“rim jhim ki barsat he or jagi hui jajbat he…”

Who knew that a child born in a tiny village of Luna in Rajasthan would entertain all the people of this subcontinent before or after the division in 1947. The undivided subcontinent tore into three different parts in the dead of night based on religion. For this bitter reality, the traditional musician family had to migrate to Pakistan after 1947. He left behind in childhood in Rajasthan which he missed for all of his life.

Though history has forced him to move to Pakistan, his music was spread all over the region by this time. The language of music is not subject to any specific country or people. He moved to Pakistan, left behind India and moved the hearts of all the Pakistani, Indian and Bengali people. The overtone of music is all pervasive and everlasting.

Mehdi Hassan left behind millions of fans in this continent. He died after a long battle against ailment.
Once, a movie without the song of Mehdi Hassan could be thought of. It was inevitable part of the movies in late 50s onward. He could not sing about for last two decades or more. But what he already rendered for us will remain forever.

On his demise, we keep him in our prayers for eternal peace of his soul.
EAP