Singh was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Mumbai´s Lilavati Hospital on September 23, following brain hemorrhage and had undergone dual life saving surgeries.[break]
He was 70 and is survived by his wife Chitra Singh.
The recipient of India´s third highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan, in 2003, Singh has sung in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Sindhi, and Nepali languages.
According to music composer Alok Shree, the Nepali album “Samyog” that Singh recorded in 2005 is his last album to date.
Reminiscing about his encounter with the maestro, an emotional Shree said, “I’m a huge fan of his singing. But it was his heart, his down-to-earth nature that touched me the most. A world renowned singer, he agreed to sing with a virtually unheard of composer from Nepal and the respect he gave me was unparallel to what I’ve experienced. It was the highlight of my career.”
Shree fondly remembers Singh feeding him meethai and giving him a head massage, to ward off his nervousness. “I was a nervous wreck just being next to him. The aura of Jagjit Singh demanded respect. And when it came to directing him, I was petrified. Lest you forget he was an amazing composer himself, however, he sensed my discomfort and tried to calm me down.”
He had a voice that was uniquely beautiful and mellifluous, perfect for poetic form of singing that Ghazal is, shared Mandira Dhungel, who runs the Ghazal show, Inner Secrets at Hits FM 91.2.
CARTOON: RAJESH KC
“In my 15 years as a radio presenter, there’s not been a single instance when his songs haven’t been requested for or dedicated to. I myself feel the show’s incomplete without playing a song by him,” added she.
Singh will live on in the hearts and minds of millions of fans of all ages who listen to his music, and continue to collect his works. And the love of the maestro goes so far as to singers impersonating their idol, and some of them have become so good they are sure to keep him alive through his music.
A recipient of numerous awards, including the Best Singer from Radio Nepal in 2055 BS, Rambhakta Jojiju shared that Singh’s music is a regular request among the patrons of Ghar E’ Kabaab, Hotel De l’Annapurna in Kathmandu where Jojiju performs with his wife Itu regularly.
“Every one of us has been influenced by his singing. In trying to imitate him, many have found a pathway to singing,” shared Jojiju, adding, “There’s not a single night when we don’t get a request of Jagjit’s and Chitra Singh’s soulful numbers.”
Ghazal had its roots in the Middle East and spread to India in the 12th century. The genre saw a revival in the 1970s and 1980s and at the forefront of this revolution was Singh. Instrumental in the evolution of this traditional music form, he incorporated Western instruments alongside Indian classical ones and pioneered the modern Ghazal sound.
Called Jeet by his family, Singh was born in Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan on February 8, 1941 to Amar Singh Dhiman and Bachan Kaur.
Singh initially embarked on studies to become an IAS officer at Kurukshetra University of Haryana, India, but destiny had something else planned for him, and he left for Mumbai in 1965 to try his luck as a singer/composer.
After years of struggle, Singh’s fame eventually rose beyond the realm of advertising jingles and performing at parties, securing a strong foothold in regional language and Bollywood cinema music. Singh’s breakthrough came in the critically acclaimed movie “Arth” by Mahesh Bhatt.
He went on to form a successful husband-wife duo with Chitra in the 1970s and 80s. Their duet “Woh Kagazki Kashti” is still among the most requested and air-played songs even on the Nepali airwaves.
The demand for Singh’s Ghazal is also evident in the consistent album sales at record stores. Sujan Thapa, salesperson at Suwal Music and Movies at Lazimpat, shared, “Jagjit Singh’s CD sale has always been positive. People come looking for his ghazals and they almost always look for his greatest hits.”
PHOTO: AFP
According to Thapa, frequent buyers consist of middle-aged people but youngsters also have been interested in his music. “It’s shocking to hear about his demise, and like any other high profile singer, his CD sales are expected to reach an all-time high,” added he.
Often called the Ghazal King by the legions of fans and his peers, Singh’s passing has left a void in the music industry and garnered a barrage of condolences from the world. The social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter have been overrun by statuses from fans and celebrities alike.
The last song he sang was in the low-budget Punjabi film “Khushiyaan” (Happiness) by Emmy-nominated Indian producer-actor Trilok Malik, which is due in cinemas this week.
A discography that spans five decades, Singh mesmerized and inspired many artists and performers with his soulful numbers. His legacy will live on for a long time to come through his music which will be hummed and played by his fans for years to come.
Related story
Seven Indian policemen arrested for unauthorized raid in Kathma...
