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Indian music maestro Jagjit Singh dies at 70
Simple Urdu poetry accompanied by mellow compositions and a soothing voice was his ticket to success.
Singh admitted in many interviews that he ventured into Ghazal singing to follow the footsteps of his idol, Mehdi Hassan.
MUMBAI / KARACHI: Indian musician and composer Jagjit Singh, who won generations of fans by reviving the traditional genre of ghazal tunes, died on Monday in Mumbai at the age of 70, hospital officials said.
Singh, dubbed “The Ghazal King”, had been in intensive care for three weeks after undergoing surgery when he fell seriously ill with a brain haemorrhage.
Ghazals are a poetic form of singing that originated in the Middle East and spread to India from the 12th century.
They were traditionally reserved for the elite, but Singh popularised the form in the 1970s and 1980s by pioneering a modern ghazal sound and using Western instruments alongside Indian classical ones.
“Unfortunately, he expired this morning,” said Mohan Rajan, spokesman for the private Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai.
As well as spreading the appeal of ghazal in India, Singh sang and composed for Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry.
Singh will be best remembered for his music in the films Prem Geet (Love Song) in 1981 and Arth (Meaning) the following year.
He last sang in the low-budget film Khushiyaan (Happiness), which is due in cinemas on Friday.
Jagjit Singh was born to a poor family in the north Indian state of Rajasthan on February 8, 1941.
He took to singing at an early age and like millions of other migrants, travelled to Mumbai, then known as Bombay, to make his fortune.
After initial struggles singing advertising jingles and performing at parties, he found a foothold in regional-language and Bollywood cinema, going on to form a successful duo with his wife Chitra in the 1970s and 80s.
When Singh was taken to hospital on September 23, he had been about to sing at a concert in Mumbai with Pakistani ghazal legend Ghulam Ali.
Updated from Print edition (below)
In memoriam: Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh is no more
Mirza Ghalib once said about a performer of his time: “My plight becomes a song when it reaches their abode”. This couldn’t be truer for Jagjit Singh – a man who made many contemporary and classic poets a part of pop culture through his soulful voice.
The 70-year-old Indian Ghazal maestro passed away on Monday in the Lilavati hospital Mumbai after being diagnosed with brain hemorrhage two weeks ago.
Ghazal music in the subcontinent has always been governed by Pakistani ghazal singers, such as Mehdi Hassan and Ghulam Ali to name a few, but if there was one Indian who created a global following and came close, if not parallel, to his Pakistani counterparts, it was Jagjit Singh.
Singh was born in 1941 in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan. He admitted in many interviews that he ventured into Ghazal singing to follow the footsteps of his idol, Mehdi Hassan.
Singh brought Ghazal to the masses – simple Urdu poetry accompanied by mellow compositions and a soothing voice was his ticket to success.
Ghazals like “Honton Sae Chu lo tum”, “Tum ko dekha to yeh Khayal aaya” and “Yeh Daulat Bhi Laelo” were a welcome change for the public as Ghazals sung in Pakistan were difficult to understand with the amount of Persian influence in the poetry.
“Jagjit Singh was a brilliant Ghazal singer and an even better human being,” said renowned Pakistani Ghazal singer Salamat Ali Khan. “His avant-garde approach despite being a Ghazal singer is what makes him an evergreen icon.”
In late 1960s, the Ghazal King married Chitra, also a singer, after which the couple produced many super-hit ghazals.
Among the many benchmarks was the unforgettable “Mirza Ghalib” TV series in which Singh provided the vocals to Ghalib’s ghazals.
In 1990, Singh and Chitra lost their only son Vivek in a car accident after which he cut down on the amount of albums he was producing.
“Jagjit Singh rose to fame at a time when he was faced with many competitors like Amanat Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan but he still managed to make his own mark,” singer Shafqat Amanat Ali told The Express Tribune.
Timeless songs like “Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar”, “Hosh Walon Ko Khabar Kia” and “Chithi Na Koi Sandes” made him popular in Bollywood. Yet, some still believe that he was under-utilised.
“It is sad that Bollywood couldn’t properly make use of his musical genius but at the same time his individual success is a testimony of his mass appeal,” Indian director Mahesh Bhatt told a local Pakistani news channel.
In 2003, Singh received the Padma Bhushan in 2003 – India’s third highest civilian honor. Jagjit Singh might have passed away but his memories still survive through the much played audio cassettes still lying in our cars.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011.
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RIP.
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I am in tears friends. He was an outstanding Gazal singer with real time melody and multiple qualities. All music lovers and professionals in this field will miss him. My heartfelt condolence to his family members, friends and music lovers. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.
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RIP.
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“Aah ko Chaahie Ek Umr Asar Hone Tak
Kaun Jiitaa Hai Tere Zulf ke Sar Hone Tak”
Jagit Singh will be truly missed.
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A legend has died today.. his ghazals have moved so many hearts around the world.. RIP meastro!
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God has taken away all good people, this year specially.
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Sob!! hic..
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I dont know why people liked his singing. To me he always sounded like he was saying something, but instead of speaking it, he was just singing it. But the music was excellent.Recommend
May his soul RIP.. a huge loss for millions of fans and music industry..
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Requiem in pace
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What a voice he was gifted with! A true king of Ghazals. You will always live in our hearts.
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Go well, Jagjit Singh.
Thanks for the memories and for the melody!
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RIP JS :( :( :(
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May the departed soul rest in peace. He was one class of a singer. U will definitely be missed.
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Had great respects for this singer, but he lost it when he abused A.R. Rahman and said Rahman is a third rate composer who doesn’t deserve the accolades coming his way.
Jagjit singh was a great singer (though limited in his talent as composer), but he somehow failed to appreciate a fellow musician, instead gave in to petty jealousy. That’s sad for he’d have been even more fondly remembered if it wasn’t for such pettiness.
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A big lost
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We love you & you will remembered till eternity! RIP
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He was a great gazal singer of the century.
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May his soul get peace in above. He was excellent gazal singer. His music was great.
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RIP Jagjit Singh jee.
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RIP, Sir.
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R.I.P Jagjit. It’s indeed a big loss to Ghazal fans. I’ll miss him.
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He was a great artist , and it was a great loss on Asia , we will never forget his memories.he had a great voice gifted with! He was really a king of Ghazals. he always live in our hearts.
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He was a great artist and it was a great loss on Asia , we will never forget his memories.he had a great voice gifted with! He was really a king of Ghazals. he always live in our hearts.
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A legend lost, RIP
Music industry will definitely miss him, i has attended on of his concert in Lahore.
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I do not like him.
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@Salman Mansoor: if you cant understand music then its your problem, if you can not appreciate a legend or write few lines for his tribute then keep yourself apart from writing something that makes you feel stupid among others. Learn to appreciate my friend and if you can not then learn to stay silentRecommend
Oct – 2011, stop being cruel to us!
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one of the few legends of ghazal around the world and the pioneer of indian ghazal,,,,its very sad to hear
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A Big lost for Asian Music, specially Classical Music and Ghazal.
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Great loss.
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Hmmm another legend left us :( i love his ghazals
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Whether a Muslim or Hindo the one who understands Urdu/Hindi and loves Ghazal has great respect for Mr. Singh he was a true artist we will miss you Sir. Rest In Peace. Marta Nahin Insaan Marni Se, Jeeta Hai Woh Hamari Dil Mein Sada Ke Liye.
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A true legend has gone for ever and will be remembered in our hearts for ever. I like one of his famous gazal and here is one line from it. Angoor Ka Daana Hoon Sui Na Chuba Dena Sui Jo Chubaye To Ras Tapkinga to Kismis Banjaunge – RIP
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A really BIG BIG Big losss
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My favourit song of jagjit sing is honto se chulo tum mera git amar kar do,ban jao mit mere mera git amar kar do.truly legend.Recommend
awww….now the whole world will cry on this and forgetting that everyday so many are dying and nobody cares about that.
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@Salman Mansoor – this is not a forum to criticize him, if you don’t like his songs thats okay but please abstain from criticizing someone when he passes away.
RIP Jagjit Singh !!
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Very sad News. A legendary Ghazal Voice is not among us anymore .What a sad news. God rest him in peace.
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We will miss him always! His voice has been my companion whenever i missed my loved-ones in my life. In fact he was the companion of all those who have break-ups in their lives. He gave a new life to Ghalib for the present day youth!!! We will miss you Jagjit sahib!!!
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With India, Pakistan has also lost a great Gazal singer’s of all times.
Jagjit Singh will always be remembered by millions of his fans including me.
“Mujeh Lotado Bachman Mera, Wo Kagaz Ki Kashti Wo Barish Ka Pani”
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This is truly a tremendous loss. Say what you may of Jagjit and his music the fact remains that it was him and him alone who not only did justuce to the lyrics but to the DICTION. In urdu poetry diction, pronuncuation are vital to the delivery.
A great loss for music and urdu poetry!
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you should hear ” hosh walon ko khabar kya ” from film ‘ sarfarosh ‘ not in the theatre but in Esplanade, singapore concert to know exactly what jagjit singh is. He left behind large fan belt across the sub continent.
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@Ali,
God forbid, what if your ‘apna’ passes away, would you rather move on thinking so many others are dying everyday..!!!
Indians condoled the death of Nawab Pataudi also in the same way. You cry because you loved their ‘art’, you loved their ‘hunar’. Because they were one and only.
Have some heart, sir..!!
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RIP He was trully king of Urdu Ghazals. i am gonna remember his show in london where he sang Gote te aah mayaa.Recommend
He re- introduced the genius of Mirza Ghalib to a new generation.
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Singh’s art and talent knew no boundries. He has done more to popularize Urdu Ghazals than nobody in modern India could. His was a messge of pure love and fun. His spirit has found the same peace which he was providing to millions of people around the world. I must say that after Talat Mehmood, Singh was the best Ghazal singer in India. An innings well played, RIP.
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His gift was to endow Ghalib to the masses ..
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He will be missed by his fans…RIP
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its really quite relieving to see that in Pakistan also people love him, it shows that music has no boundary..anyways R.I.P. Ghazal Maestro.
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we love you jagjitji
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RIP Jagjit Sahab !!!!
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we love you, jagjitji
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I am very sad today on the demise of such a unique voice, and since my childhood till to this day I never gave up listening to
yeh Daulat Bhi Le lo,Yeh Shohrat Bhi Le lo
Bhale chheen lo Mujh se meri Jawani
Magar Mujh ko Lau do bachpan Ka sawan
Woh Kaghaz Ki Kashti Woh baarish Ka paani.
May god Keep your KASHTI Sailing in the waters of Heavens . We will keep your work alive as long as we are alive, Great Artist Jagjit Singh.
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RIP Mr. Singh!
You will always be remembered by your fans no matter wherever they live….your voice will echo for ages. The melody in Jagjit Singh’s ghazals and voice was really unique, and I always felt that the music and lyrics of his ghazals are having some sort of an effect on my soul, perhaps,his music was indeed a music for the soul. For the past many years, I always felt that his ghazals could provide relief and healing to a human heart and mind amidst all difficulties, problems and issues we face in our daily lives.
I could hear any ghazal sung by the great singer, but my favourite ones were/are ‘Hoshwaloun ko khabar kya’,'Daagh jigar ke sehlete hain’ and ‘Hoonton se cholo tum’.
My condolences to the friends and family of Jagjit Singh, and people of India on such a great loss.
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This shows what ca artist can do-bringing people together.
tremendous loss for the sub-continent
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Just read this ghastly news on ET.
And I played his album “Sajda” with Lata ji. Now I feel a lump in my throat and its hard to stop my tears.
Rest in peace Jagjit. You’ll always be missed.
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what a Ghazalgo he was. He already made his place in the hearts of millions of people His contributions to indian music will never be forgotten.I got a chance to meet him personally, he was a great person,May God give peace to his soul.
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Have no words.
Can’t forget his ‘Sarakti jayee hai rukh se naqab ahista ahista’, will take it to my grave.
Jagjit Singh R.I.P
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Kya Kahey aur Kehno ko kya reh Gaya….
R.I.P
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Why have my comments not been printed? It was sent yesterday
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Jagjit- like his name- he conquered the hearts of millions. Greatest of the greats. R.I.P
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This is the great loss of World of Ghazal, I am very sad after hear the news of death of Great Ghazal Musician Jagjit Singh.
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To all his critics;
Hum ko dushman ki nigahon se na dekha kijey
Legendary Singer, we will remember you ……RIP
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he gave us so many master pieces to listen like Wo Kaghaz ki Kashti, Koi Faryad, Hosh Walo ko khabar kya…. and so on!!!!!
really he will be remembered!!!
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Two maestro’s have left us this month, not a good month.
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@harkol:
Truth some time hurts,but must be spoken sometime,but today is not the day,it his day,do not rain on it.RIP,dear JAGJEET SINGH,he spoke to us in a way,it went straight to our heart,these days due to down load,and you tube,he will be only a click away,only we can not see him live,that’s my fond regret,but a heavy one,two great one in one week,loss is hard to bear,but we must.
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He brought Galib closer to me’Ah ko chaiye ek omar talab honey tak,kon jeetha hay’What a melodius voice?,the commercial world of bollywood under used him,the same with great Gulam Ali,that speaks volumes our poor taste.At least I have all his recording,he did not die like great Galib broke.We have to be thankful for these guys like Steve Jobs,far they lived among us,I’m blessed.Long live Gulam Bhai and rest in peace my soul mate,It appears I knew you personally,RIP
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JAGJEET jenhe jeta jagwalo ka dil… apni awaj ki daulet se ab chale gaye ham sab ke pas apni anmol awaz ki daulat …
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It is indeed very sad news for the admirers of contemporary Urdu ghazal, but let us not get carried away here. He was no ambassador for peace and neither was he a friend of Pakistan, as he made it abundantly clear in 2008 by asking his government to ban ALL Pakistani artists from performing in India, and by comparing Pakistani artists with toilet paper. Here is what he said: “”Bollywood should ban them [Pakistani Artists]. That’s all. It is as simple as washing your hands after using the toilet. India should ban or cut all relationships with Pakistan as soon as possible”. To see the full report see: http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicreporter/news.php?newscatid=1&newsid=795 . So, for all those making superlative comments about his big heart and music-knows-no-boundaries should perhaps educate themselves first about his narrow views in this regard. Let us limit our commiserations to his talent and contribution to modern ghazal singing, instead of making him into a champion for peace and love – something he wasn’t.
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Jaa kar jahaan se koi waapas nahin hai aata…
woh kaun si jagah hai..
Allaah jaanta hai….
You are my soul…….will remain with me till I can feel the heat, cold..happyness and tears
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Sri Jagjit Singh ji is the humanbeing deputed by god for the people,who need his MUSIC as a medicine.He did his job with sincearity which is priceless.
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