The legendary vocalist and King of Ghazal, Mehdi Hassan, silenced tunes and lyrics yesterday when he breathed his last here at Karachi after a long ailment. He was 85.

The India-born legendary singer, who enlightened the souls of millions of fans across the globe for many years, fell ill in 2001. Unfortunately, he was having multiple diseases that rendered him unable to sing.

Hassan’s death has put a full stop before the long era of Ghazal singing. None one will be able to even come closer to the calibre of the legend ever till doomsday.

The entire Indian and Pakistani music fraternities along with fans have paid rich tributes to Hassan. The gifted singer is widely respected and loved throughout the Asian region. He is also known well across Europe.

Hassan was born in India in 1927. Both his father and uncle were renowned classical musicians, thus, he grew up with the rglorious legacy that helped him become the history’s best ever Ghazal singer.

After the Indo-Pak partition of 1947, Hassan migrated to Karachi and settled there permanently.

Khan ruled over the world of music for many years. He sang many marvellous and ever-green Ghazals like ‘Rafta Rafta Wo Mari Hasti Ka Saman Ho Gay’, ‘Ma Hosh Pa Tha Tu US Pa Mar Gia Kesay’ and ‘Ab Ka Bichray Tu Shaiyad Khabon Ma Milien’.

Hassan will ever be remembered for his tremendous contribution to the world of art. May his soul rest in peace. In fact, the celebrated singer is not dead; he is alive in his works.