Ranjish Hi Sahi: Mehdi Hassan still remembered by millions

Famously known as Shehenshah-e-Ghazal, Mehdi Hassan, passed away 8 years ago and still remembered by millions of people all over the world.

Born in Rajasthan on July 18, 1927, Mehdi Hassan belonged to a classical music family. He started singing through a program in 1935 at the age of 8 and moved to Pakistan after the partition of sub-continent in 1957. He became famous for his ghazal ‘Gulon mein Rung Bhare’ for film ‘Farangi’, a single song that made Mehdi Hassan famous, after which he never looked back.

Mehdi Hassan and Mohammad Ali’s pairing was much liked by the fans and it was said that Mehdi Hassan played a pivotal role in the rise of Mohammad Ali.

His song “Ek Husn Ki Devi Se Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha” became so popular that it is still one of the most popular songs of Mehdi Hassan. Mehdi Hassan has sung more than 25,000 songs, ghazals and lyrics in his lifetime.

Mehdi Hassan was also awarded medals like Imtiaz, Sitara Imtiaz and Pride of Performance by the government.

Mehdi Hassan was undoubtedly the ‘King of Ghazal’ in Pakistan and for the next several decades no one can take his place. Mehdi Hassan took his last breath in Karachi on June 13, 2012. The long struggle came to an end but his deep commitment to his work will always keep him alive in the hearts of those who love him.