Lata Mangeshkar, Mehdi Hassan coming together for Tera Milna
Few musical creations could be so pregnant with sentiments, history and talent as the forthcoming duet ‘Tera Milna’ between the singing legends Lata Mangeshkar and ‘Shehanshah-e-Ghazal’ Mehdi Hassan.
THERE IS always a silver lining with the darkest of clouds. As the adage goes : “Unka jo kam hai woh ahle siyasat janen, mera paigham mohabbat hai jahan tak pahuche.” Politicians could mind their business. My message is love no matter where it reaches.
So the two greatest muslical talents of India and Pakistan are telling the world.
Few musical creations could be so pregnant with sentiments, history and talent as the forthcoming duet “Tera Milna” between the singing legends Lata Mangeshkar and ‘Shehanshah-e-Ghazal’ Mehdi Hassan. Needless to say that this much awaited magic melody would be the first where the Nightingale of India would be seen with the Pride of Gazal from Pakistan. Mehdi Hassan Saheb is not keeping well for so many years. He always wanted to sing with Lata and finally his cherished dream has been fulfilled.
As the music lovers say – “Once in a lifetime, a man is born who will shake the consciousness and passion of the music industry. Such a man is Mehdi Hassan.”
According to Lata Mangeshkar, “He is the voice of God. Mehdi Saab always wanted to sing with me. In fact he sent me 2-3 recorded songs years back but he had to quit singing due to his prolonged illness. ‘Tera milna’ is one of them. I recorded my version here in Mumbai and Mehdi Saab’s version was recorded in Pakistan a year back. We have made a duet compiling the two versions.” Lata Ji would turns 81 on Tuesday.
Mehdi Hassan was born in Luna, a town near Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Music runs in his blood for fifteen generations. His education in music began as soon as he could talk. Mehdi Hassan’s father, Ustad Azim Khan, was a notable classical singer in his time and a favorite of Maharaja of Jaipur.
Mehdi Hassan gave his first public performance at Maharaja of Barodi’s place when he was only 8 years old. He is master of vocal music like ‘Dhrupad’, ‘Khayal’, ‘Thumri’ and ‘Dadra’.
His family migrated to Pakistan after partition and young Mehdi adopted the profession of an automobile mechanic. However, lady luck was with him and with the would-be Ghazal lovers and he resumed his music career with in short while. Mehdi Hassan moved to Karachi and created his space in the music world.
In 1952, from Radio Pakistan Lahore, his first perennial ghazal,
‘Gulon may rang bharay, baad-e-nau bahar chalay’ was broadcasted. It was composed by Ghulam Qadir, the elder brother of Mehdi Hassan. It was also his first successful rendition which earned him name, fame and critical acclaim.
Though confined to his bed, he still rules the hearts and minds of Ghazal lovers all over the world.
