Shafqat says Jagjit Singh revolutionised Eastern classical music. PHOTO: FILE
MUMBAI: February 9 marked the 75th birthday of ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh and that’s when Shafqat Amanat Ali took the opportunity to remind everyone of Jagjit’s legacy. The Pakistani crooner was all praises for Singh and how he had revolutionised classical music forever.
“Jagjit Singh-jee introduced a completely new style of ghazals by introducing western instruments beautifully”, said Ali. “The beauty of this fusion was that he kept himself rooted to eastern melody and style by always choosing the right poetry and mostly, complemented it with the right notes.” According to Ali, the ingenious musical composition is why Singh’s music appealed to both the masses and niche listeners. “His beautiful melodies will always keep ringing in peoples’ ears,” he added.
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As a classical musician, Ali is well-versed in the genre of ghazals himself. In fact, he describes it as “one of his favourite” kinds of music and something that has been a part of his family tradition for years. He has lent his voice to plenty of ghazals as well, such as Ghalib’s acclaimed Dil Hi Tu Hai Na Sang-o-Khisht. The singer burst into the international limelight with his performance of Mitwa from the 2006 Bollywood hit, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. He is currently in India, serving as a judge on Zee TV’s musical reality show, Asia’s Singing Superstar alongside composer Shankar Mahadevan.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2016.
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