Mehdi Hassan passes away in Karachi

India-born Ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan, the melodious voice behind evergreen hits like 'Patta patta, boota boota' and 'Kab ke Bichhare', died today following multiple organ failure at the age of 84.

Hassan, who had millions of fans in India and Pakistan, had been admitted to the Agha Khan Hospital in the southern port city of Karachi some days ago. He had been in a serious condition and was on ventilator.

"My father passed away at 12:22 PM after a long battle against different ailments," his son Arif Hassan said. "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."

Listen to Best Songs of Mehdi Hassan

Hundreds of fans gathered at the hospital on learning of his death.

Hassan was born into a family of traditional musicians at Luna village in India's Rajasthan state in 1927. His family migrated to Pakistan at the time of Partition in 1947.

Hassan cut back on his performances in the late 1980s due to illness. Hassan leaves behind his nine sons and five daughters. He married twice. Both his wives are dead.

Source: TOI