MEHDI HASSAN: SHAHENSHAH- E- GHAZAL
Mehdi Hassan
By Ustad Ghulam Haider Khan
In 1966 King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan came to Pakistan and a concert was held for him at Lahore’s City Gymkhana. The artistes performing at that event included Ustad Nazakat-Salamat, Ustads Amanat-Fateh, Iqbal Bano, Farida Khanum and Mehdi Hassan. The king was very fond of poetry and fancied himself a bit of an artist. He specially requested Mehdi to sing ‘Gulon mein rang bhare’. After that he invited Mehdi to visit him in Afghanistan, and Mehdi went on a 2-week state visit and came back to Lahore laden with enchanting gifts.
His fame grew and spread like the fast-filling colours he brought to life in Faiz’s legendary poem. It took him to America, England, Canada, the Middle East, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, Germany and India. In 1985 the government of Pakistan awarded him the Pride of Performance medal. Another unlikely fan of his, King Mahendra of Nepal, honoured him with a Commander-in-Chief’s belt.
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