Zoheb pens emotional tribute to Ratan Tata

Singer recalls late Indian tycoon's pivotal role in music journey

As news of the death of Indian tycoon Ratan Tata sends ripples around the world, Zoheb Hassan took to social media to compose a heartfelt tribute to the steel giant. Recalling how Tata had influenced his and his late legendary sister Nazia's career, Zoheb poured out his memories of a modest man whose humble demeanour belied his abundant wealth.

Beginning from the moment Tata had phoned the Hassan residence in the UK to scout Nazia and Zoheb for an album, Zoheb wrote that Tata introduced himself to his sister with the opening line, "My name is Ratan and I am starting a music company by the name of CBS India. I would like you and Zoheb to record an album for us if possible."

Zoheb wrote that a meeting at their home was arranged, and his first impressions left a lasting impact. "A tall, impeccably dressed man in a suit arrived at our residence," he wrote. "He had a gentle smile on his face and was extremely soft-spoken."

Recalling Tata's humble demeanour, Zoheb added, "He seemed so sincere when he spoke. We had no idea who he was and he never bragged about himself. He just said, 'If you guys agree then let's make it happen.'"

An agreement was swiftly finalised, proving to be the launching pad for Nazia and Zoheb's landmark hit album Young Tarang, with what the latter reckons featured one of the first music videos in India and South Asia. "MTV called us and said they had never seen anything like this and asked if we had done anything in English," added Zoheb.

As a testament to Tata's modest nature, Zoheb went on to note that it was not until the launch of their album The Taj Hotel that he and Nazia understood what an influential man he was. Later, however, when the sibling duo were invited to Tata's home for dinner after their album launch, they were taken aback by the "small two-bed flat, sparsely decorated."

"It was a simple dinner with a great man which to this day I will never forget," reflected Zoheb. He added that Tata never forgot to enquire after his family whenever they met after that - not even during a chance encounter with the man in London, where he had come to purchase aircraft for Air India.

"Mr Tata was living proof that one can be an iconic businessman and still be a true gentleman," finished Zoheb. "Dearly missed. RIP."