Ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan dies in Karachi

Islamabad: Mehdi Hassan, the Indian-born Pakistani ghazal legend, passed away at a Karachi hospital on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was 84.

Hassan’s son Arif told Geo News that his father died of breathing complications at a private nursing home in Karachi.

The death of Hassan was being mourned across the world and not just in India and Pakistan.

Another ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali said: “I'm completely shocked to hear about his demise,” while singer Hariharan tweeted: “Nobody can replace Mehdi saab. He was a genius. He was a great thinker. There was a lot of poetry in his ghazals.”

Pakistani Sufi legend Abida Parveen said: “Extremely sad news, feeling like I've lost my elder brother. Mehdi always remained dedicated to ghazal singing.”

The ghazal maestro had been discharged from hospital only last month. He was back in hospital only a day later but was not put on a ventilator.

“My father has been ill for the last 12 years but this year, his condition has deteriorated significantly... in the last one month," said Arif. "He was released from hospital for just one day before being admitted again.”

Hassan, who has a huge fan following all over the world, had been suffering from lung, chest and urinary tract ailments for the past many years. He leaves behind his nine sons and five daughters. He married twice. Both his wives are dead.