Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan fast recovering

LAHORE - Mehdi Hassan, the renowned singer of international repute, is under treatment at the Sir Agha Khan Hospital Karachi. His son Arif Mehdi has appealed to the nation to pray for the betterment of his father's health. Mehdi Hassan has been ill for the last many years due to a paralytic stroke. Since then, his treatment is going on steadily. Last week, he had been admitted in Aga Khan Hospital Karachi due to chest infection and some other ailments. This scribe talked to Mehdi Hassan's elder son Arif Mehdi on his mobile and inquired about the health of the 'Great Maestro'. Arif Mehdi informed his father had been brought to the hospital last week due to chest infection. Since then he is in the Special Care Unit under the vigilance of a high profile team of doctors. He further told that being a VIP personality, the expenditures of his treatment were being borne by the government. By the grace of God, my father is fast recovering and improving, but his health is yet to be improved, he added. He further told his father was suffering from permanent diseases, which could not be afforded by family. He said, "I am very thankful to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, CM Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Advisor to CM Sindh Sharmila Farooqui and all the other government functionaries who inquired about the health of my father and issued special instructions for his treatment". He has also appealed the nation to pray for fast recovery and improved health of his father. He also said that many Indians including Lata Mangeshkar, Jagjeet Singh, Hari Haran, Daler Mehdi, Hans Raj Hans, Sonnu Nigham and a good number of Bollywood celebrities had also telephoned him to inquire after the health of Khan Sahib. Lata Mangeshkar also offered to bring Khan Sahib to India for treatment. He told that Khan Sahib was now in good senses, although, he was too weak to walk. "My father is recovering and according to the doctors, he will resume his singing career", he added. In a nutshell, he is universally acclaimed as the finest ghazal singer of his time. His unsurpassed vocal range and his mastery over raags made him the undisputed 'Emperor of Ghazal'. His popularity amongst the masses, appreciation by music lovers and continued success over five decades makes him at par with Noor Jehan, in the league of the greatest Pakistani singers of all times. The ultimate tribute to his greatness was from the eternal artiste, Lata Mangeshkar, who compared his songs to " voice of god." It is worthy of mention that he has been awarded with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sehgal Award and other titles during his long career both at the national and international level.