Mehdi Hassan’s sons turn to India’s for help

HASAN’S KIN SAY PAK GOVT HAD PROMISED TO BUILD A MAUSOLEUM IN HIS NAME BUT

HAD FAILED TO DO SO

Five years have passed since the voice of ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan fell silent and his sons have now sought India’s help for building a mausoleum of their illustrious father in Pakistan and better upkeep of his grave.

After his death in Karachi on June 13, 2012, the Pakistan government as well as the provincial government of Sindh had promised to build a mausoleum in his memory but so far no progress has been made, they claim.

One of Hassan’s six sons Arif has requested the Indian government to help them out.

“After abba’s demise, the government had promised to build a library and mausoleum in his memory. Five years have passed and we are still waiting. Last week, we observed his fifth death anniversary,” Arif told news agency PTI from Karachi.

“We have run out of patience and so we request the Indian government to help us in building a mausoleum in Karachi as Hassan saab enjoyed a huge fan following across the border,” he told PTI.

Hassan, the melodious voice behind evergreen hits like ‘Patta patta, boota boota’ and ‘Kab ke Bichhare’ and known as Shehanshah-e-Ghazal, was born on July 18, 1927 in Luna village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhnu district. Post-Partition, he and his family migrated to Pakistan.

Close friend of the Hassan family and founder of artistbooking.com, Manmeet Singh, said several Indian artistes are ready to help.