In a remarkable instance of musical collaboration, Lata Mangeshkar and Mehdi Hassan created a duet in 2011, fulfilling a long-standing desire to work together. The circumstances, however, were far from ideal. Hassan’s deteriorating health confined him to Karachi, while Mangeshkar remained in India. Consequently, their duet, “Tera Milna Bahut Achcha Lage Hai”, was recorded virtually, marking a unique moment in music history.
Hassan, despite his illness, composed the basic track and shared it with Mangeshkar. She then collaborated with composer Mayuresh Pai to arrange the music. The result was a beautiful duet that highlighted the unity of two great nations. The song served as a powerful testament to the enduring power of music to connect people despite geographical and physical barriers.
Mangeshkar shared her admiration for Hassan’s exceptional vocal talent, recalling their first meeting and his performance in Mumbai. She reflected on the bittersweet nature of their virtual duet and her feelings of sadness over Hassan’s final years. She recounted their final meeting when he was suffering. She remembered that the ghazal maestro’s one regret was the inability to sing with her.