Sunday, June 17, 2012

Memories of a Magical Voice

It has taken me and Saira some time to come to terms with the fact that Mehdi Hassan Miyan is no more with us in this world. The voice which we loved to hear when he connected with us on the telephone sometimes in recent years when he had to give up traveling due to his critical lung condition has been stilled, but the echoes remain in our subconscious and will continue to do so.

The magic of his voice cannot be described in words. I know millions of his admirers will agree with me when I say that Mehdi Hassan was very special to the Creator. Which was why he gifted him with the ability to sing his way into the hearts of even those who had little understanding of the pure ghazals he chose for rendering. He drew everybody - the common man, the well read, the rich, equally to him when he rendered the ghazals of such  profoundly intellectual and philosophical poets as Faiz Ahmed Faiz or Ghalib for instance. It’s only an uncommonly gifted singer who can draw his audience equally with the charm of his voice and his deep understanding of the exquisite poetry he is rendering. And Mehdi Hassan Miyan was one such richly gifted singer.

He visited us whenever he came to Mumbai and it was always a great occasion for the family. Saira’s grand mother Shamshad Begum Sahiba (Ammaji) especially used to be so happy to see him. As a classical vocalist of repute, Ammaji had a discerning taste and she always held Mehdi Hassan Miyan in high esteem for the splendid quality of his singing when he captivated his audiences at concerts. The CDs which he presented to her of the recordings of his concert tours delighted her. In fact, Ammaji and I shared a great love for Urdu and Persian poetry. For me, it is a taste I acquired from  my childhood in Peshawar when I listened attentively to my grand parents, uncles and aunts discuss Persian poets such as Khayyam, Hafiz Shirazi and Maulana Rumi, among many others.

The last time Mehdi Hasan Miyan visited us he was having high fever and he wanted to lie down. He held my hand and we recited together his favourites and mine. I can still recall his soft voice as if it was just yesterday that he was here. I have witnessed his success and the incredible adulation his admirers accorded him in other countries and in Pakistan. He remained ever so humble and unaffected by it all as all great men are. May God bless his soul and grant him the best of Jannat.

DK

47 comments:

  1. MAY GOD BESTOW ETERNAL PEACE ON MEHDI HASSAN. WE WILL ALWAYS MISS HIM.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Listening these words from a man like Yusuf Sa'ab and your usage of Miyan to him reminds me of my younger days when we were instructed to call all our family helpers as Miyan. Though i never got to listen Mehdi Hassan Sahab but am sure his voice will never let Ghazal singing get obsolute. Thanks Dilip Sahab for your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bless you Yusuf sahab for your kind tribute to the Ghazal legend Mehdi Hasan !

    Sultan Mazharuddin
    Riyadh Saudi Arabia

    ReplyDelete
  4. To have known such a great personage (who was yet humble) is indeed your good fortune. I was introduced to Mehdi Hassan in the year 1983 when I was pursuing my post-graduation in English Literature at Mumbai.
    A friend, one day, invited me to his house. He played Mehdi Hassa saab's 'Ranjish hi sahi...' ..... And I was mesmerised.... I was thrilled, enchanted and in raptures by the depth and versatility of his voice. how he made even the most difficult bandish seemingly effortless.
    Since that day Mehdi Hassan saab's music became a part of my life and will remain so until I depart.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ok, now as he is not between us, i an unknown person say to 'ALLAH' THE ALMIGHTY, give late Mehdi Hassan Miyan the best of place in Jannah. AMEEN

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marhoom Mehdi Hassan sahab is not now in this Duniya-e-faani.....
    May GOD bless his soul & grant him the best of Jannatul-Firdous..
    Aameen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yusuf Sahab, you are very right when you say that he was very special to the Creator..that is why the Creator had planned to immortalize your Mehdi Hassan Miyan through his unique vocal cords rendering mesmerizing ghazals. In the process Mehdi Hassan gave new dimensions to the words of many distinguished poets from around the world.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mehdi Hasan Sahab was truly a global asset.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dilip Saab
    We are the luckiest to exist in the era of Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, Lataji, Ashaji, Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh, Yousuf saab, Amitabh,Saira, hema, Dharam....the list of finest artists and incredible human beings makes one feel blessed. God has been very kind. Thanks to internet that I am able to thank you and all the great beings around here. thanks for sharing your thoughts

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the gratitude you presented to praise-worthy Mehdi Hassan. Actually he was a blessing of God towards music lover.

    May Allah bless his soul (Aameen).

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thespian Dilp Kumar's aka Yousuf Saab's Tribute To A Great Sufi Shehensai Gaza Mehdi Hassain Saab ...............................................................................................................:......................................................................................................................................... sincearll,y Ashhm99/Ajmadbaig. Bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear Yusuf saab thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories with us. It is a pleasure getting to know you through this site. I wish u all the best and pray to Allah SWT for your health. And that he bestow his mercy on all of us. Ameen.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dilip ji, your excellent feeling and thoughts about your late friend mehendi hassan ji,are so respectful and pure and have mesmorised us too.realy he was a singer, whom i have started listening at the age of 13 and today i am 49.i do't remember a day when i have not heared his musky and so trained voice.may he be blessed peace and rest by the almight...sunil chadha,ludhiana.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Only a gifted son of the Creator like you who has created a legend for himself in his lifetime can appreciate the work of a fellow artiste through the medium of fine spirituality.
    God bless you continued good health .
    Sohrab Irani

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Dilip Sahab,

    Apke alfaz apke terha sabit he..

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's my pleasure to visit your blog..

    Mehndi Hasan sahab is known as the "King of teh ghazal" and you are the only one "The King of Acting"..Lots love for you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dilip Saheb, I am great admirer and a fan of Dilip Kumar,and I always wondered what music he likes to listen to in his personal hours, after reading your thoughts for Mehdi Hassan with such a depth, I feel so happy to be a fan of two legends. May Allah give Mehdi Hassan the best of Jannat."Ameen" May Allah also keep Dilip Kumar in great health and great spirit."Ameen"

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a heart-wrenching tribute from India's best film actor. Dilip Saab, I interviewed Late Shammi Saab sometime back and he was all praise for you and few other legends.

    here's the link:
    http://www.indiainfoline.com/LifeStyle/Art-Approach/Tumsaa-Nahi-Dekha/2776389

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yousaf sb (Daleep Kumar ) is legend. ... greatest actor in the world

    ReplyDelete
  21. Most of my closest friends are Sudanese refugees who as small children witnessed their villages attacked, families killed and escaped and spent years walking and witnessing thousands of children with them die on their journey. They now have families and make sure their children know about what happened to them, they hire tutors for their kids (school assignment writers writemyessayfast.ca legit homework for 7th grade). Just like when I grew up in Canada and many of my friends were the children of Holocaust survivors and had parents who made sure their kids understood the horrors they went through and the loss of their families.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for sharing. It was interesting to read. Your stories always fascinate me. How do you manage to write all these stories? I have troubles with writing assignments and that's why I ask the educational resource https://www.the-essays.com/ for help occasionally.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great Platform. Are you also searching for nursing essay writing? we are the best solution for you. We are best known for offering the best nursing essay writing services

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your blogs are great.Are you also searching for Nursing Writing Services? we are the best solution for you. We are best known for delivering nursing writing services to students without having to break the bank.whatsapp us:+1-(951)-468-9855

    ReplyDelete
  25. If you really want to quality proofreading services I recommend visit a company from here which is providing quality services with affordable price.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your talent is really appreciated!! Thank you.
    Would you mind me wondering where you got the graphic in this post from style.
    스포츠토토

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thank you for sharing you can download Alo WhatsApp completely free more secure click here

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great essay if you don't want to do it yourself https://www.waywriting.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. The game has a minimum bet of only 1 baht, with many promotional knives for both old and new members to choose from. Easy to use, betflix convenient, fastest.

    ReplyDelete
  30. 스포츠토토 Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make
    a very good article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don’t
    manage to get nearly anything done.

    ReplyDelete
  31. 배트맨토토
    Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your further post thanks once again.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I read your blog and I can't stop my self to read your full blog.
    카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  33. "Hi everybody, This web page is remarkable and so is exactly how the subject has been expanded.

    사설토토
    파워볼
    메이저사이트

    ReplyDelete
  34. Damn, Ive been looking for information like this for a while now. Thanks!
    토토사이트
    파워볼사이트
    메이저사이트

    ReplyDelete
  35. Many thanks for the article, I have a lot of spray lining knowledge but always learn something new. Keep up the good work and thank you again.
    MLB해외배당
    MLB해외팁스터
    NBA결장자

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your blogs are really good and interesting. It is very great and informative. The voice which we loved to hear when he connected with us on the telephone sometimes in recent years when he had to give up traveling due to his critical lung condition has been stilled, bankruptcy lawyers virginia beach, I got a lots of useful information in your blog. Keeps sharing more useful blogs..

    ReplyDelete
  37. Kamal Haasan is known for his work in the Indian film industry and has played various roles in films throughout his career, but there's no record of him having the ability to time travel or bringing trophies to individuals in real life. If you have a specific question or topic related to Kamal Haasan or time travel that you'd like to discuss, please feel free to provide more details, and I'll do my best to provide information or engage in a relevant conversation.
    Abogados de Accidentes de Motocicleta

    ReplyDelete
  38. truck accident attorneys
    "Memories of a Magical Voice" is a captivating literary masterpiece that has received numerous positive reviews. The book is described as pure literary magic, a must-read for all readers, and a true testament to the power of words and storytelling. The story is a captivating narrative that lingers in the reader's thoughts long after the final page, with the characters and their stories beautifully etched in the book. The book speaks to the soul and evokes a range of emotions, leaving readers with a sense of wonder and longing. The intricate character development and plot twists deeply move the reader, leaving them with a sense of wonder and longing. The author's prose is a symphony of words that plays in the heart, making the book an absolute delight to read. The book is a testament to the enduring magic of literature and storytelling, reminding readers of the enchantment that lies within our memories. "Memories of a Magical Voice" is a literary masterpiece that leaves a deep and lasting impression on readers, making it a highly recommended and cherished literary work.

    ReplyDelete
  39. An interesting blog to know about the good man. Keep sharing many more informative blogs. Fairfax DUI Lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  40. Mehdi Hassan's voice was a divine gift, transcending boundaries and touching hearts worldwide. Your poignant reminiscences beautifully capture his enduring legacy and the profound impact he had on all who heard him sing.
    How to Get Divorced in New York

    ReplyDelete
  41. commercial contract disputes lawyer
    The author's tribute to the magical voice is deeply personal and poignant, evoking nostalgia and reverence for a cherished memory. The heartfelt reflections convey the profound impact of the voice, transporting readers to moments of shared joy and inspiration. The sincerity and reverence with which the author recalls the memories associated with the magical voice underscoring its significance in their life. The article's eloquent prose and vivid imagery paint a vivid portrait of the magic imbued in the voice, inviting readers to relive moments of enchantment and wonder. The evocative storytelling pays homage to the timeless beauty and resonance of the magical voice, preserving its legacy for future generations.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Your article not only provided valuable information but also sparked introspection and reflection on my part.keno minh chinh

    ReplyDelete