Regarding his good friend Jagjit Singh in Satya Saran’s guide Baat Niklegi To Phir: The Life and Music of Jagjit Singh, filmmaker Subhash Ghai mentioned, “He could have misled the audience.” Ghazal participant Jagjit Singh, Mahesh Bhatt was satisfied that his voice “leaves you with the feeling of a friend touching you, a loved one touching you.”
Not simply Bhatt and Ghai, Jagjit Singh solid his spell on many together with his soul-shattering voice. He not solely confirmed curiosity to music connoisseurs, but additionally introduced ghazals into the mainstream with songs like “Tum Itna Jo”, “Koi Fariad”, “Hoshawalon Ko Khabar” and some others.
Jagjit Singh was born as Jagmohan Singh in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Belonging to a Sikh household, he was related to music since childhood. His father, a religious Sikh, acknowledged his inclination in the direction of music at an early age, and took Singh to temples the place he sang devotional Sikh hymns. His identify was modified to Jagjit on the suggestion of a priest.
His father didn’t permit his son’s expertise to be restricted to non secular hymns and determined to hone his son’s singing expertise. He despatched Singh to be taught classical Indian music from Pandit Chhaganlal Sharma for 2 years. Later, he realized music from Ustad Jamal Khan for six years. But, a choice by Singh modified her relationship together with her father without end.
When he reached Mumbai in 1965, Singh discovered it tough to search out work in Mumbai. To survive, he started singing at membership concert events. He sang just a few “stupid Punjabi songs” earlier than turning to ghazals, shares Subhash Ghai within the guide.
After working from studio to studio throughout his first six months in Bombay, Singh lastly received a break at HMV, as Saregama was known as on the time. He recorded his first EP (Extended Play) with one other artist (two songs on either side) underneath the musical course of CK Chauhan. Of the 2 songs, he sang “Sakiya Hosh Kahan Tha” in his personal fashion and the opposite, “Apna gham bhool gaye” In the fashion of Mukesh.
Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. (Express Archive Photo)
While the document was being ready for launch, HMV requested for Singh’s image which might be featured on the quilt. It was then that the late singer determined that he didn’t wish to be acknowledged as a Sikh singer who sings solely Punjabi songs. So, he determined that he would reduce his hair brief and reduce his beard.
In the guide ‘Baat Niklegi To Phir’, Singh was quoted as saying, “I was asked to take a picture of myself. I still had my long hair, my beard and my turban, and that’s when I decided to cut my hair. I knew then, that whatever picture was taken, I had to stay like this for the rest of my career, so I figured it was better to cut my hair. ‘Are you sure,’ asked the barber. “Yes,” I replied, and that was it, I had my hair cut.'”
As Singh takes the daring step, he should have forgotten about his efficiency at a marriage reception the identical night time. When he reached the venue, the organizers refused to let him in as they may not acknowledge him! Writer Saran mentions in his guide on Singh, “When he presented himself to sing at a wedding reception that evening, as he had been contracted to do, before he was given it to the people concerned. to explain that he was actually a singer. Evening entertainment.”
But Singh additionally confronted dire penalties for this transfer. This “nearly ended his relationship with his father” who dedicated the crime of reducing hair, is in opposition to Namdhari Sikh rules.
As one may assume, Singh’s troubled days didn’t finish there. He nonetheless did not get sufficient work and needed to do advert adverts and a number of other gigs in Mumbai to earn cash.
In Kaagaz Ki Kashti, a documentary on Singh’s life, Bhramanand Singh shares how the ghazal maestro needed to carry out at movie events to outlive in Bombay. It was right here that he grew to become mates with Rajesh Khanna and Dilip Kumar.
But calling in Bollywood got here solely within the 80s. Jagjit Singh made his debut within the Hindi movie trade with Mahesh Bhatt’s 1982 movie Arth. And, from right here on out, we received some soulful renditions from ‘King of Ghazals’ together with “Tum Ko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayal Aaya” (Saath Saath). “Hontho Se Chhoo Lo Tum” (Love tune), “Hosh Walon Ko” (Sarfarosh), “Letter No Message” (enemy), “Kiska Chehra Ab Main Dekhun” (logic) and “Badi Nazuk Hai” (Joggers Park).
It might have been 11 years for the reason that singer handed away, however Jagjit Singh continues to be alive within the hearts of a lot of his followers. As Lata Mangeshkar sang, “My voice is my identity…”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
