Mehdi Hassan’s death anniversary goes unnoticed

No event held in Lahore to pay tribute to late maestro

LAHORE: The fourth death anniversary of ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan went unnoticed in the city on Monday, with no event held to honour his legacy.

Hassan succumbed to prolonged illness on June 13, 2012, in Karachi. Following his death, Indian singers such as Kumar Sanu and Hariharan had visited his grave to pay their respects.

While the Lahore and Punjab arts councils receive funds and organise anniversary tributes regularly, it seems Hassan wasn’t considered worthy enough for remembering, this time around.

“Mehdi Hassan was a big name in ghazal singing and no one has been able to replace him,” folk veteran Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi told The Express Tribune. “And it is not like he was just talented. Hassan was a hardworking man who right from his time at Radio Pakistan worked tirelessly to make a name for himself.”

Folk singer Shaukat Ali had similar sentiments to share about the Pride of Performance, Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz recipient. “His death was a big loss for our music. He was a walking, talking academy,” Ali said.

“It is unfair to his contribution to ignore him on his death anniversary. He gave his everything to this country,” said playback singer Naseebo Lal, adding, “Hassan will forever live in the hearts of his true fans and followers.”

Born in the family of classical musicians, Hassan belted out numerous hits during his career and revolutionised the way ghazal is sung. Some of his most popular songs include Gulon Mein Rang, Duniya Kisi Ke Pyar Mein, Pyar Bharay Do Sharmeelay Nain.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2016.

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