Adil Najam
I got this picture in my email recently. And it made me feel all good inside.
Taken a few days ago in Islamabad at a Pakistan National of the Arts (PNCA) event it shows Ustad Medhi Hassan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan – both on wheelchairs – greeting each other and reminiscing about days gone by. What I like best about this is that they are both so clearly happy. Mehdi Hassan, in particular, looks much more frail than one remembers him to be, but unlike so many recent pictures we have seen of him, he is smiling and happy. And seeing that makes me happy too.
Naveed Riaz, who sent me the picture, had the following verse to offer as commentary on the photogrph:
Kya Hum Say Pareshaan Khushboo Thee, Ya Bund Hain Ab Kaliyon Kee Tarah?
Kya Misl-e-Saba Avaara Thay, Ya Ghar Say Nikalna Mushkil Hai?
Maybe our readers can offer their own commentary – in verse or in prose.
Its so good to see them togather . I feel so good
I have been at live concert with Mehdi Hassan,
just a few meters away,
-and I had a short conversation,
He is a very humble and nice man .
One of my good friends from Gulberg , Lahore was once upon a time living in close approximity,
-and here I heard the same.
Truly a man Pakistan has to value.
Sad.They have been dealt a cruel hand by fate.There was one function where Mehdi Hasan was brought on a wheelchair,he could not control his emotions and wept !
One song by Amanat Ali Khan (Fateh Ali Khan’s brother) stays in my memory :
Inshaa Jee Utho Ab Kooch Karo
Iss Shehr Main Jee Ko Lagana Kya
Great men who will leave immortal work of art for all of mankind. There is nothing greater than music – a language that can express any sentiment.
Amazing. Mehdi Hassan looks so frail.
Thanks for sharing.