My loving tribute to Ghazal King Jagjit Singh on his 6th death anniversary
Remembering Jagjit Singh: Sirf Ek Awaaz Nahi, Ek Ehsaas Bhi
For a generation of youth which knows Arijit Singh (I am a huge fan
of his songs and comparison used for relative purpose only) as the messiah of Ishq
and Love , I proudly introduce them to Padmabhushan
Shri Jagjit Singh (iconic ghazal and playback singer, musician
and composer) who ruled the hearts of a generation of young music
lovers in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s.For many, “he” was the ultimate
messiah of “Ishq” and “Love”.
For Hindi film
music lovers and Ghazal fans of that era, Jagjit
Singh was their voice, someone who knew their heart and soul. Kahin koi dhadakta hua dil Toh Kahin koi
toota hua dil, Kahin Mashooqa ke Husn ki Tareef, Kabhi khoya hua pyaar Toh
Kabhi Kisi Se Judaai. Somewhere a
beating heart or a lonely soul grieving in the pain of separation from his/ her
sweetheart, someone somewhere praising the beauty of his beloved or soaked in those
memories of lost love or loss of a loved one. Jagjit Singh’s soulful and soothing
voice found a deep connect in their lives.
I was introduced to the world of
Ghazals through Jagjit Singh’s songs (he being the one and only reason for my
love for Ghazals till today). Just for information, a “Ghazal” is a Persian,
Arabic or Urdu word meaning conversation with one’s sweetheart, a poetic
expression in lyrical form (shayari) with fixed verses set to music. Ghazals are usually
songs about unreciprocated love or the beauty of love. I have been listening to
Ghazals for long but its only now while writing this tribute that I bothered to
check the literal meaning of the word.
I remember my aunt and my good friend
in college being great fans of Jagjit Singh. In fact I used to mock my friend
for being crazy about him (Since I also like many during my time thought Ghazals
were only for the old and boring types). But with passing time, I realized his
songs were slowly growing on me too. Very soon with the first few of his songs
that I listened to, I found myself to be already a part of his massive fan following
worldwide.
Jagjit Singh born Jagmohan Singh Dhiman
(8th Feb 1941- 10th Oct 2011) in Bikaner, Rajasthan came
from a humble background. From advertising jingles to playback singing, ghazals,
folk and devotional songs (Album Maa, 2006 was a huge success).
He made a mark in the Ghazal world in
the 1970’s when it was dominated by stalwarts like Talat Mehmood and Mehdi
Hasan. He revived and popularized ghazals, bringing it from the elite classes
to the masses in a career spanning 5
decades and over 90 albums. Together with his wife and renowned Ghazal singer
herself, Chitra (Shome) Singh, he achieved great fame and commercial success. Who can forget their popular duets “Us Mod Se
Shuru Karen Phir Yeh Zindagi” or the soulful “Meri Zindagi Kisi Aur ki Mere Naam Ka
Koi Aur Hai”, the catchy “Mere Jaise
Ban Jaoge Jab Ishq Tume Ho Jaayega” or the breathtaking “Sarakti Jaaye Rukh Se Naqab Ahista Ahista .
‘Love’ in the times of Jagjit Singh
was unspoken, passionate and eternal. Like a beautiful dream or a gentle
breeze, his songs were simple compositions with emphasis on melody and deep,
meaningful, mesmerizing words. In his soft
and gentle voice, they are not just words but a generous flow of precious gems
like:
Hum
Labon Se Keh Na Paaye Unse Haal-E- Dil Kabhi
Aur Woh Samjhe Nahi Yeh Khamoshi
Kya Cheez hai
Ishq
Ki Jaye Phir Samajhiye Zindagi Kya Cheez Hai
Hoshwalon
Ko Khabar Kya Bekhudi Kya Cheez Hai
(Film Sarfarosh 1999, Lyricist Nida Fazli)
Waqt
Rehta Nahi Kahin Tik Kar,
Iss Ki Aadat Bhi Aadmi Si Hai
Shaam
Se Aankh Mein Nami Si Hai,
Aaj Phir Aap Ki Kami Si Hai
(Album Marasim 1999, Lyricist Gulzar)
Apni Marzi Se Kahan Apne
Safar Ke Hum Hai,
Rukh Hawaoon Ka Jidhar Ka Hai Udhar Ke Hum Hain
(Album Mirage
1996)
Khair Main Pyaasa Raha Par
Usne Itna Toh Kiya,
Meri Palkon Ki Qataaron Ko Woh Paani De Gaya
Jaate Jaate Woh Mujhe Achchhi
Nishani De Gaya
Umr Bhar Dohraoonga Aisi Kahani de Gaya
(Album Sisilay 2002, Lyrics
by Javed Akhtar)
Listing
a few of his many classics :
·
Hothon Se Choo Lo Tum (Prem
Geet 1981)
·
Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayal
Aaya (Saath Saath 1982)
·
Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho
(Arth, 1982)
·
Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar (Arth,
1982)
·
Tere Khushboo Mein Bhase Khat (Arth 1982)
·
Gham Ka Khazana (Album
Sajda 1991 with legendary Lata Mangeshkar)
·
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi Shab
Bhar Raha Charcha Tera (Khamoshi)
·
Haath Chhute Bhi Toh Rishte Nahi Chhoda karte ( Marasim
1999)
·
Ek Purana Mausam Lauta Yaad
Bhari Purvai Bhi (Marasim 1999)
·
Chitti Na Koi Sandesh
(Dushman 1998)
·
Kiska Chehra (Tarkeeb 2000)
·
Koi Fariyaad (Tum Bin 2000)
·
Mai Bhool Jaaon Tumhe (Album Silsilay 2002)
·
Kabhi Yun Bhi Toh Ho (Album
Silsilay 2002)
·
Badi Nazuk (Joggers Park
2003).
With his growing popularity, his fans
and the music world bestowed upon him titles like Ghazal Samrat, Ghazal King,
Ghazal Maestro, Ghazaljit and so on. His live concerts were very popular because of his
connect with the audience with his charm,wit and humour, superb orchestration with
a blend of Indian and Western Instruments and those little variations or
“harkatein’ he used to bring in his songs while singing live.
His sudden demise on 10th
October 2011
left a huge vacuum in not just the world of Ghazals but in the hearts of
millions of his fans in India and across the world. As a Jagjit Singh fan and
admirer, I will always remember that day as an unfortunate one where I lost a
loved one, someone who touched my heart and soul through his music.
Kabhi Sochti Hoon..….
Ghazalein Aap Se Thi Ya Aap Ghazal Se. I am sure for me
and all your fans, Ghazalein Aap Se Hi Rahegi Hamesha.
True
to his name Jagjit, he conquered our
hearts forever. Even today whenever I listen to his songs, his voice brings
back nostalgia of the times gone by, a serene silence or a pause that we seem
to have lost amidst all the noise and hustle bustle of our fast paced lives.
Today, I
fondly remember him with these lines from one of his Ghazals
“Hum Koi Waqt
Nahi Hain Humdum, Jab Bulaaoge Chale
Aayenge”
Kaash!!!!! Your
Fans are waiting………………….......
Hoshwalon ko khabar : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEJDoiWrl1E
Tum
ko dekha toh yeh khayal : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GRqHkV9Bls
Us mod se shuru karen : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1pGCFnbLYA
Gham ka khazana : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkoE2kFdWag
Jayashree Nambiar Nair
10th October 2017
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