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Jagjit Singh: The last note in ghazal gayeki

Jagjit Singh: The last note in ghazal gayeki

Sathya Saran's The Life and Music of Jagjit Singh explores the legend's effect on musical tradition
20 Sep, 2015

In the last seventy years or so, if there has been one singer after Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hasan to have placed the ghazal gayeki on a firm footing, he is none other than Jagjit Singh.

In India – the land of its birth – Urdu has, over the last few decades, been sidelined as the language of Muslims (no one community can be held be responsible for this), but full marks to film music and no less to ghazal singers from both sides of the Wagah border, for its admirers are growing despite the overwhelming majority’s unfamiliarity with its traditional script.

Like Mehdi Hasan, whom he called his mentor, Jagjit was totally immersed in the poems he sang and internalised his rendition. Another point which merits mention is that despite the disadvantage of singing in what was not their first language, the two singers’ pronunciation of Urdu words was just as flawless as their command over the ragas that they chose to base their compositions on.

Coincidentally, both of them started their careers by singing film songs of established singers – Mehdi Hasan chose velvety-voiced Talat Mehmood, while Jagjit opted for a highly versatile Mohammed Rafi on stage. But they did not bask in reflected glory for a long time. They started singing ghazals, most of which were composed by themselves.

Jagjit-Chitra, the most popular singing couple — Photograph courtesy HarperCollins Publishers India
Jagjit-Chitra, the most popular singing couple — Photograph courtesy HarperCollins Publishers India

For his part, Jagjit Singh chose simpler poems and rendered them with intense feelings. If it would not have been for his rendition of ‘Baat niklegi tou phir door talak jayegi’ -- written by a not-so-well-known poet from Jalandhar at the time, Sudharshan Faakir -- many poetry-enthusiasts, more in Pakistan than India, would not have even heard his name. One can’t think of many poems which have such never ending appeal.

The nazm simply grows on the listener, which explains why the well known author and journalist Sathya Saran borrowed the opening line of the poem to christen her meticulously researched and brilliantly narrated biography of the inimitable vocalist.

The book is not entirely flawless. In the caption of the singer’s photograph with Jalal Agha and Shaukat Kaifi, the fourth person is named Kaifi Azmi, instead of Ali Sardar Jafri.

Saran had to rely on the failing memory of Chitra Singh when she mentioned only one performance of Jagjit in Karachi. That was in 1979, where he won thunderous applause from the guests and the gatecrashers at the Karachi Press Club. This reviewer happened to be there as a witness, who didn’t have to scale the wall.

Chitra sang with him on that occasion. But in 2005 when the Pakistan International Airlines was celebrating its golden jubilee, Satish Anand, a seasoned producer of movies and TV shows, was assigned the job of organising a musical programme featuring four well known Pakistani singers and one foreign vocalist. To be honest, Jagjit was not foreign to the music-enthusiasts among the audience.

A younger Jagjit waiting for a break — Photograph courtesy HarperCollins Publishers India
A younger Jagjit waiting for a break — Photograph courtesy HarperCollins Publishers India

It was on this visit that Jagjit took time off his hectic schedule to visit a stroke-stricken Mehdi Hasan.

Five years later when I was writing my book on the senior singer, I phoned Jagjit to get his views on the ‘shehanshah-e-ghazal’ (his words, not mine) and he enthused ‘Agar kisi ko ghazal gana seekhna hai tou Mehdi Hasan sahib say seekhye’ (‘If someone wants to learn to sing ghazals, then Mehdi Hasan sahib is just the right person’). Before he hung up Jagjit said he was yearning to see ‘Mehdi sahib’ back in harness.

But, as bad luck would have it, Jagjit passed away before his guru died. Mehdi Hasan wasn’t told about his friend’s death because, as his eldest son, said ‘Abba is in no position to bear this loss’.

Back to Saran’s book, she gives interesting details of how his albums were planned and how he selected the poems, worked on the compositions, recorded them and involved himself in post-recording sessions. His wife Chitra’s knowledge of Urdu was fairly limited so Jagjit had to work on her as well. He was a perfectionist, he also edited the numbers.

Saran rightly points out that until he appeared on the musical scene, ghazal singers were accompanied by tabla and harmonium only. The tanpura served only as a tonic. Jagjit introduced such sweet sounding instruments as guitar, flute and santoor. However, when he was recording ghazals for Gulzar’s unforgettable serial on Ghalib, the director saw to it that Jagjit only used instruments which were in vogue during the great poet’s lifetime.

Back to his live performances, Jagjit punctuated his renditions with jokes, which made the mood of the evening livelier.

Jagjit never got over the death of his son — Photograph courtesy HarperCollins Publishers India
Jagjit never got over the death of his son — Photograph courtesy HarperCollins Publishers India

Saran paints a complete picture of the singer, including his unfailing generosity and recalls several moments where he helped people in financial distress. At one time, she claims, he supported as many as ten impoverished families.

She also narrates the terrible tragedy that struck Jagjit and Chitra – the death of their son Vivek in a traffic accident. Chitra gave up singing completely, while Jagjit took time to pick up his tanpura. His renditions became plaintive but just as unforgettable as they were when he was recording his earlier ghazals.


Baat niklegi toh phir door talak jayegi: The Life and Music of Jagjit Singh by Sathya Saran. Published by HarperCollins India. Pages: 221. Available in Pakistan with Liberty Books, Karachi and Lahore.

Comments

Prabhakar Sep 20, 2015 05:18pm
Thanks for the article .Many times we Indians learn interesting information about India from Dawn. We are greatful to you.
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A Knight's Tail Sep 20, 2015 05:23pm
My favorite Ghazal singer in India-Pakistan.. Cannot think of anyone these days who can even come closer
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aftab Ahmed Sep 20, 2015 06:15pm
When he died, I could not believe. It felt like loosing someone close in the family. His music specially his collaboration with Gulzar sahib and his rendition of Ghalib ghazlas is not a treat a treat but a privilege to listen to. He was the one who popularised Ghazls for the masses without losing quality. His personal life tragedies are heart breaking. RIP sir.
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Kirby Sep 20, 2015 06:31pm
Indeed, a humble yet great human being he was. His greatness is simply evident from the photograph of him in the presence of his "Guru" Ustad Mehdi Hassan. What a moment that would have been for him. The fact that his death was kept a secret from Mehdi Hassan Saheb is a testimonial that their admiration of each other was based on reciprocity, respect, and love for what they both did for Ghazal Gayekee! Jagjit and Mehdi gee! You will never be forgotten. Thanks Dawn for sharing these Nuggets.
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sanjeev Sep 20, 2015 06:33pm
Jagjit Singh may be a popular singer but he is no match to legends like Ghulam Ali and Mehdi Hassan.There is lot less of gayaki in jagjit singh's singing.
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Rashid Sep 20, 2015 06:54pm
Jagjit one of the maestro of our time, his Ghazals are classic that are equally popular on both side of the Wagah borders.
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Indian Sep 20, 2015 07:13pm
@Prabhakar very true.. Our media should learn some journalism from Dawn. Few of his ghazals are so beautiful like hoshwalo ko khabar kya zindagi kya cheez hai. I must have listened at least 50 times :) Thanks Dawn.
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Asif Noorani Sep 20, 2015 07:31pm
We should not compare apple with oranges. Those who want to write to me directly can do so. My address is asifnoorani2002@yahoo.com
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Asif Noorani Sep 20, 2015 07:35pm
@sanjeev We should not compare apples with oranges. Do write to me at my email address: asifnoorani2002@yahoo.com, if you want a detail reply.
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K. Yusuf Sep 20, 2015 09:22pm
Jagjit was not a fan of Rafi Saheb at all. He never sang his songs. He chose Talat also as he himself said that he was weaned on Talat
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K. Yusuf Sep 20, 2015 09:23pm
Jagjit never sang Rafi songs
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Sudhakar USA Sep 20, 2015 09:30pm
What ever it is, he is a great singer in his own right. RIP Sir
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Shahid Sep 20, 2015 10:17pm
Credit goes to Jagjit Singh for improvisation in ghazal gyki which also attracted a very large young audiemce those who were not very fond of conventional gyki (usually a same verse or line repeating it in variation of the same raag it was composed in). Only people who understood raag or raagnis used to enjoy it more because of the semi classical natureof the gyki. Jagjit focused more on the mood of the ghazal and not experimenting with taans etc.
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Haris Sep 20, 2015 10:18pm
the real stars of ghazal Mehdi Hasan and Jagjit Singh are born in centuries . We hope somebody fills this vacuum
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S. Haider Sep 20, 2015 10:26pm
Heaven and earth meet together, when Mehdi Hasan or Jagjit gee sings.
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Satt Sep 20, 2015 10:33pm
We were last generation of Jagjit fans and admirers,now the new generation doesn't know about Jagjit Singh.They only know honey Singh.
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Imran Sep 20, 2015 10:50pm
Great man. Great talent. Great humanitarian.
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Kamal Sharma Sep 20, 2015 11:00pm
@K. Yusuf I disagree Yusuf as he always spoke very highly of Rafi Sahab in a few TV interviews I've had during his visits to Vancouver,Canada !
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shahid latif Sep 20, 2015 11:53pm
A singer in his own class. . Can not recount as to how many times I have listened to his CDs over and over again. The man never stops to transcends you into the magical world of melody and love. Art gets its appreciation on both side of borders without distinction. He will always be missed.
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Rashid Sultan Sep 21, 2015 12:20am
A maestro gifted by Allah. His haunting voice and sublime renditions are top feast for the senses. I lose myself listening to him & Chitra.
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Dr Syed Hyder Sep 21, 2015 01:21am
Probably the best ghazal singer after Mehdi Hasan Sahab.
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Al Karim Sep 21, 2015 01:58am
"Tum jo itna muskura rahe ho; kya gham hai jisko chhupa rahe ho." I listen to this song, over and over and still can't get over it.
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Al Karim Sep 21, 2015 01:58am
@Prabhakar I am grateful as well.
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Ajay vikram Singh Sep 21, 2015 02:00am
My interest in Urdu started with Ghazals of Jagjit singh. Couple of years from the day, i heard my first Ghazal of Jagjit, when i was in high-school, i got to learn complete Diwan-e-Ghalib. Entire urdu poetry of Mirza Ghalib. Then one statement of Ghalib, that he can barter his entire qalam in urdu, for his single verse in Farsi, i learned persian, and got in to the mystical world of Persian poetry. World of Saadi, Hafez, Khayyam, Ferdowsi. A bit later, i got interested in Islam as a comparative religion, and from there i moved on to Pakistan. I ended up reading at least 50 books on pakistan. One thing lead to another....but it all started with that ghazal of Jagjit singh. One rainy afternoom ....in delhi...when i was still in high-school...and first time in love with someone.
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Akber Lakhani Sep 21, 2015 03:10am
Jagitsingh was a very good singer no doubt, but the first paragraph(Preamble) of your article, where you have said that the third singer after Begum Akhtari and Mehdi Hassan in last 70 years of so who put Gazal Gayeki on firm footing was none other than Jagjit Singh is far away from truth because before him, and even before Mehdi Hassan, it was NONE OTHER THAN TALAT MAHMOOD who brought Gazal Gayeki on popular level. It is true that Mehd Hassan was mantor of Jagjit singh, but Mehdi Hassan himself had said thet he folllowed Talat Mahmood in Ghazal Gayeki and he was his mentor. Your comments?!
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zeeshan dxb Sep 21, 2015 04:01am
Jagjit Singh was one singer that rose above being called an Indian singer alone. He was a south Asian gem. South Asia loved him. May his soul rest in peace.
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nasiroski Sep 21, 2015 04:12am
He indebted urdu speakers forever with his rendition of Ghalib Ghazals for the TV seriel
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Shahaam Sep 21, 2015 05:52am
Jagjit's ghazals are like medicine to me at times of stress. I can never have enough of it. May his soul rest in peace.
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zia Sep 21, 2015 06:01am
Jagjit was a very strong part of my childhood. His voice was part of daily life. Later in life I had the opportunity to attend one of his ghazal evenings. Master. Felt real loss when he left this world. When you grow up you realize that every person like him who may not be closely related you but he takes away part of you with him/her.
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Mirza Baig Sep 21, 2015 06:44am
Though I will always miss Jagjit Singh (May his soul rest in peace) for his unique Ghazal gaaiki and beautiful voice, my gut sense is that Ali Zafar is one of the artists who can replace, to some extent, the vaccum Jagjit Ji has left. I once listed teo Ali Zafar and was pleasantly surprised by the control he has on singing ghazal and delivery of words. He only needs to concentrate to it and someone bring to his attention that he has the right skills for Ghazal singing. He might need to work a little bit on his pronunciation like the difference between 'Qaaf" and "Kaaf" which Jagjit was great at even though he also hailed from Punjab.
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older Sep 21, 2015 08:00am
I listened to his song 'hoton pe choolo tum' hundreds of times. I keep loving it all my life
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almas mohommad , cuttack, india Sep 21, 2015 12:06pm
keep your good work dawn inspite of the the environment, well done humanity deserves to win.
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NoFame Sep 21, 2015 02:56pm
Still unable to bear (me or music industry) his loss :( Got addicted to his music since 13 and then grew up with his ghazals. Dont know why but his voice been like a wave - someone want it or not they have to move by that. Whenever im alone or want my own time, im spending my that specific time with his ghazals. My friends used to tell me im mad - whenever they asked me, your best celebrity you want to meet from India? my answer was always Jagjit and their response were like uo-ao why not some glamorous heroin?
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venkob Sep 21, 2015 08:00pm
This is the real value of India's contribution to the world. So many languages and Urdu is one of them. It is very sad that Urdu is regarded as only Muslims religion. I'm a Hindu Brahmin and my family has always been an awe for this language. I still remember the writings of my dad's co-brother and used to see him write letters in Urdu. It was a family TV time to watch Ghalib directed by Gulzar. The last I heard was in 90's and mostly from Mahesh Bhatt's film had a flavor of it.
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Noal Sep 23, 2015 12:35am
I once listened to a Ghazal of Jagjit and Citra that had words in it something like "... Ab be qarar di ko qarar agaye.." or something similar. Can't find that anywhere on you tube. Can someone please help? My respect for Mehdi Hassan is of course unparalleled to anyone.
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Vishakhadutt Patil Sep 23, 2015 04:13pm
Maybe the author forgot to mention Talat Mahmood - who was an inspiration to Mehdi Hassan as well as Jagjit Singh. Other Indian exponents of the Ghazal such as Ghulam Mustafa Durrani, Vithal Rao (The last court singer to the Nizam of Hyderabad), and the veritable K.L Saigal - all of whom preceded Jagjit Singh and were more popular - do not even find a mention in this piece. And indeed Jagjit Singh has sung Talat Mahmood and Saigal's songs as a tribute to them.
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Vijay Kumar Sep 26, 2015 02:45pm
Thanks to Dwan.............................. for such a great information about Jagjit Saheb. My favorite Gazal is- Ab khushi hai na koi dard rulane wala humne apna liya har dard jwane wala............
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Poonam Abbi Sep 27, 2015 06:40am
@Ajay vikram Singh Lucky you shrimaan, that you were inspired the way you were. I wish I tto had the good luck of going your way. But then the two of us existed in different times & as different persons. I was very much into Urdu & Hindi poetry, & some English poetry which I considered of the lowest level when compared with the Hindi, Urdu & other languages. I heard him in college, doing my Masters, when he visited his Alma Mater & performed there, before becoming the celebrity he later became. But what I envy you most is your chance to delve deep into the world of the great languages Urdu, Farsi & the world of comparitive literature.
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