<p>"Hassan sahib and I always wanted to sing together. He had sent me six-seven songs when he was in good health. He wanted to come to Mumbai or wanted me to visit Pakistan to record together.<br /><br />However, due to various reasons, things didn't work out. Then he quit singing because of his ill health," Lata told reporters.<br /><br />Following a paralytic stroke, 83-year-old Hassan stepped down from playback singing over 80 years ago. Later due to severity of his illness he completely departed from music. He now lives a secluded life in Karachi. Showing her respect for the king of ghazal, Lata has recorded the song 'Tera milna bahut acha lagta hai' (I like meeting you) and made it a duet.<br /><br />"Hassan sahib first composed and sent a rough track to me. I asked Mayuresh Pai, who had worked with me on an album, to compose the music for the song. After Mayuresh was done with the final composition, I recorded my part of the song. The song, which was initially a solo track written by Farhat Shahzad, is now our first and last duet," she says.<br /><br />Lata never performed in Pakistan and also doesn't see any possibility as she has already bid adieu to stage shows. She said there is immense mutual respect and love among the artistes of both sides of the borders.<br /><br />"Many times there were proposals about my shows in Pakistan. I got invites as well but unfortunately it did not materialise. Now I don't do stage shows and it is not possible in future also," says the Bharat Ratna awardee.<br /><br />Hassan, who is coming to India next month for treatment, has wished to meet Lata, Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. Lata says he will be accorded a warm welcome at her residence as usual.<br /><br />"I have heard about this. If he has wished so, I am more than happy to welcome him. He has been to my home when he visited the country last time. During his first visit at our place, many years back, he enjoyed traditional Maharashtrian food. He knows each and every member of my family.<br /><br />"But I don't know whether he is in a condition to come here or not. I have heard that he is critically ill and almost bed ridden," the veteran singer says. Walking down the memory lane she recollects her first meeting with the singer whom she considers as having one of the finest voices in the world.<br /><br />"I met him in Toronto, some decades ago. I was there for a show. I attended his show over there and I was so touched. He is a great singer," she recalls. They could not meet for many years after that but remained in touch.<br /><br />Hassan came to India in 2005 and met Lata. He was on wheelchair that time and could barely speak. "He was here for almost one hour but could not speak much. He was very ill. I feel really sad about his condition and will pray to god for his speedy recovery," says Lata.</p>
<p>"Hassan sahib and I always wanted to sing together. He had sent me six-seven songs when he was in good health. He wanted to come to Mumbai or wanted me to visit Pakistan to record together.<br /><br />However, due to various reasons, things didn't work out. Then he quit singing because of his ill health," Lata told reporters.<br /><br />Following a paralytic stroke, 83-year-old Hassan stepped down from playback singing over 80 years ago. Later due to severity of his illness he completely departed from music. He now lives a secluded life in Karachi. Showing her respect for the king of ghazal, Lata has recorded the song 'Tera milna bahut acha lagta hai' (I like meeting you) and made it a duet.<br /><br />"Hassan sahib first composed and sent a rough track to me. I asked Mayuresh Pai, who had worked with me on an album, to compose the music for the song. After Mayuresh was done with the final composition, I recorded my part of the song. The song, which was initially a solo track written by Farhat Shahzad, is now our first and last duet," she says.<br /><br />Lata never performed in Pakistan and also doesn't see any possibility as she has already bid adieu to stage shows. She said there is immense mutual respect and love among the artistes of both sides of the borders.<br /><br />"Many times there were proposals about my shows in Pakistan. I got invites as well but unfortunately it did not materialise. Now I don't do stage shows and it is not possible in future also," says the Bharat Ratna awardee.<br /><br />Hassan, who is coming to India next month for treatment, has wished to meet Lata, Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. Lata says he will be accorded a warm welcome at her residence as usual.<br /><br />"I have heard about this. If he has wished so, I am more than happy to welcome him. He has been to my home when he visited the country last time. During his first visit at our place, many years back, he enjoyed traditional Maharashtrian food. He knows each and every member of my family.<br /><br />"But I don't know whether he is in a condition to come here or not. I have heard that he is critically ill and almost bed ridden," the veteran singer says. Walking down the memory lane she recollects her first meeting with the singer whom she considers as having one of the finest voices in the world.<br /><br />"I met him in Toronto, some decades ago. I was there for a show. I attended his show over there and I was so touched. He is a great singer," she recalls. They could not meet for many years after that but remained in touch.<br /><br />Hassan came to India in 2005 and met Lata. He was on wheelchair that time and could barely speak. "He was here for almost one hour but could not speak much. He was very ill. I feel really sad about his condition and will pray to god for his speedy recovery," says Lata.</p>
