As his followers prepare to commemorate “Shehenshah-e-Ghazal” Mehdi Hassan’s death anniversary on Thursday (today), twelve years have elapsed since his passing.

Mehdi Hassan Khan was born in Rajasthan on July 18, 1927, and with his more than 25,000 songs and ghazals, he won over the hearts of millions of fans in Pakistan and India.

Born into a musical family, he had his initial training from his father, Ustad Azeem Khan.

Mehdi Hassan penned numerous ghazals of contemporary literary luminaries like as Ahmad Faraz and Faiz Ahmad Faiz, demonstrating his deep appreciation for Urdu poetry.

When the renowned vocalist was first given the chance to sing Thumri on Radio Pakistan in 1957, he never looked back.

This was the beginning of his new path, when he sung timeless ghazals and hugely popular playback tunes.
He is regarded as the greatest ghazal vocalist in history. Lata Mangeshkar, the Bollywood melody queen, has long been a huge fan of Mehdi Hassan, stating that “god speaks in his throat.”

Patta Patta Boota Boota, Dil-E-Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai, Ranjish hi Sahi Dil Hi Dukhane K Liye Aa He has achieved success with songs like Gullon Mein Rang Bhare, Ik Husn Ki Devi Se Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha, Jab Koi Pyaar Se Bulaye Ga, and Dil Ki Baat Labon Par Laakar.

For many years, he and Ahmed Rushdi were the top vocalists in the cinema industry. Over 300 films included his voice during his career as a musician.

Google also created a beautiful doodle feature in 2018 to honor the late musician on his 91st birthday.

The government of Pakistan bestowed upon him various honors, including the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance, and Hilal-e-Imtiaz medals.

Following a lengthy illness, Mehdi Hassan passed away in Karachi on June 13, 2012.

To maintain the custom, the vocalist started receiving instruction from both his uncle, Ustaadh Ismail Khan, and father, Ustaadh Azeem Khan.

Mehdi Hassan composed heartfelt melodies inspired by the poetry of modern poets such as Faiz Ahmad Faiz, and he developed an early interest in Urdu poetry.