Damadam Mast Kalandar is one of the popular songs that doesn’t need any introduction. Several recreated versions of the track were loved by the audience. But, do you know, who is the original composer of the song? ‘Master’ Ashiq Hussain is the man behind the beautiful melody, who also sang many songs for Pakistani cinema. India TV’s Editor-In-Chief and Chairman Rajat Sharma shared the video that highlights the plight of the singer on his Twitter timeline and it went viral in a few hours.
It is clear from the video that the financial condition of the singer is not good. He can be seen describing his journey. According to a report in Dawn, Hussain lives in a slum at the Bazar-e-Hakiman near the Bhatti gate in old Lahore. His house has no electricity and food is scarce. According to the report, his son Hussain’s son Asif Ali, a talented keyboard player, was forced to sell pakoras at the roadside to feed the family. Ali, a heart patient, passed away in 2014.
Hussain is credited for composing beautiful melodies in Pakistani films such as Jabroo, Aakhri Dao, Billo jee, Azmat-e-Islam, Shaam Savera, Aadmi, Kaale log, Jaib Katra and Waris Shah.
Ironically, many singers who have created their own version of this popular song Lal Meri Pat (Dama Dam Mast Qalander) not only minted good money but also became popular.
Reactions pour in on Twitter, singer Mika Singh offers help
There is nothing permanent in the glamour world and the condition of the talented singer is another proof. As soon as the video was shared, it went viral with more than 1,100 likes and over 300 retweets.
Popular singer Mika Singh, who had also created his own version of the song, has offered help to the singer. People all over the world have expressed their views on the video.
Hussain’s masterpiece Dama Dam Mast Qalandar has been rendered in the voices of Jagjit Singh, Noor Jehan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and many more singers.
