Jagjit Singh
Jagjit Singh | |
---|---|
Born | Jagmohan Singh Dhiman 8 February 1941 |
Died | 10 October 2011 | (aged 70)
Occupation(s) | Music director, composer, singer |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Musical career | |
Genres | Ghazal, classical, devotional, folk, Bhajan |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, harmonium, tanpura, piano, tabla |
Years active | 1960–2011 |
Labels | EMI, HMV, Saregama, Universal, Sony BMG, CBS, Polydor, TIPS, Venus, T-Series, Magna Sound, Big, Times |
Jagjit Singh (born Jagmohan Singh Dhiman; 8 February 1941 – 10 October 2011) was an Indian composer, singer and musician. He composed and sang in numerous languages and is credited for the revival and popularity of ghazal, an Indian classical art form, by choosing poetry that was relevant to the masses and composing them in a way that laid more emphasis on the meaning of words and melody evoked by them. In terms of Indian classical music, his style of composing and gayaki (singing) is considered as Bol-pradhan, one that lays emphasis on words. He highlighted this in his music for films such as Prem Geet (1981), Arth (1982), and Saath Saath (1982), and TV serials Mirza Ghalib (1988) and Kahkashan (1991). Singh is considered to be the most successful ghazal singer and composer of all time in terms of critical acclaim and commercial success. With a career spanning five decades and many albums, the range and breadth of his work has been regarded as genre-defining.
Singh's 1987 album, Beyond Time, was the first digitally recorded release in India.[1] He was regarded as one of India's most influential artists. With sitar player Ravi Shankar and other leading figures of Indian classical music and literature, Singh voiced his concerns over politicisation of arts and culture in India and lack of support experienced by the practitioners of India's traditional art forms, particularly folk artists and musicians. He lent active support to several philanthropic endeavours such as the library at St. Mary's School, Mumbai, Bombay Hospital, CRY, Save the Children and ALMA.
Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the government of India in 2003 and in February 2014, the government released a set of two postal stamps in his honour.[2]
Early life and career
Jagjit Singh Dhiman was born at
Educated initially at Khalsa High School and Government College in Sri Ganganagar, Singh obtained an arts degree from
In March 1965, and without the knowledge of his family,
Achievement
Singh was still struggling to make a living in 1967 when he met the Bengali-born Chitra Dutta.[5] She divorced her husband and married Singh in December 1969.[3] Following the birth of their son, Vivek, the couple performed as a singing duo but it was not until the 1977 release of the album The Unforgettable that they found significant, and surprising, success. In the interval, the primary difficulty for them had been that the ghazal music genre was dominated by Muslim artists[5] and especially those from Pakistan.[7]
The Unforgettable, which was the couple's first
Among their subsequent duo recordings of the 1970s were Shiv Kumar Batalvi – Birha da Sultan (1978), Live in Concert at Wembley (1979) and Come Alive (1979). Of those released in the 1980s, "The Latest" by Sudarshan Faakir was the best selling album with his lifetime hit "Woh Kagaz ki Kashti...Woh Baarish ka Paani". It was the first album by the duo with poetry of only one Poet. Ecstasies (1984) has also been described as "one of their finest".[6] The joint projects ceased in 1990 when their 20-year-old son, Vivek, died in a road accident. Chitra felt unable to sing following these events. Monica, Chitra's daughter from her first marriage, committed suicide in 2009.[5][6]
Although Jagjit continued to work and to have success after Chitra withdrew from public life he, too, was affected by the death of Vivek. The Guardian notes that he "suffered from deep depression and his anguish was often evident in his live performances." Aside from occupying himself with solo projects, which he performed in several languages,[7] he collaborated with Lata Mangeshkar on an album titled Sajda, an Urdu word meaning "prostration".[5][6]
Singh's work in film
On 10 May 2007, in the presence of numerous political and diplomatic luminaries at an event held in the Central Hall of the
Albums
Release Year | Album Name | Songs |
---|---|---|
1982 | The Latest |
|
1 December 1990 | Someone Somewhere |
|
1 February 1996 | Mirage |
|
1998 | Silsilay |
|
2000 | Saher |
|
Personal life
In 1990, Vivek Singh (Jagjit Singh and Chitra's son) died in a road accident at the age of 20. This came as a profound shock to Jagjit and Chitra Singh. They gave up music for a full year after the death. At the end of that period, Jagjit returned slowly to music, but Chitra announced her retirement and declared that she would not sing or record any more songs.
Singh had suffered from numerous ailments like diabetes and hypertension during his later life, and had undergone two heart bypass surgeries in 1998 and 2007. A chain smoker for decades, he had stopped smoking after his first heart attack.
Death
Singh turned 70 in February 2011. To celebrate his 70th birthday he committed 70 concerts in different parts of the world. He toured the UK, Singapore, Mauritius, inter alias, in 2011 and was due to perform with
A number of tributes have been paid to Singh after his death,[12][13][14][15][16] and some tried to cash in on his popularity, which was criticised by his wife.[17]
Legacy
A biography of Singh, entitled Beyond Time based on about 40 hours of interviews with him, was released in 2012. It was transcribed and edited by Ashrani Mathur.[18] A biopic documentary by the name of Kaagaz Ki Kashti has been made on the life journey of Jagjit Singh, who broke through the norms and revolutionised the Ghazal scenario. The film traces the struggle and stardom in his musical career, the love & loss in his personal life and the scope and limitations in the music scenario of the times. The film directed by Brahmanand S Singh is currently available on Amazon Prime Video in India and worldwide.[19]
Recognition
- In 2012, the State Government of Rajasthan posthumously awarded Jagjit Singh its highest civilian award, the Rajasthan Ratna.[20]
- In 2002 and 2005, Singh was awarded the Indian Telly Award for the best title singer for a TV show.[21]
- In 2003, Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, by the government of India[5]
- In 1998, Jagjit Singh was awarded Sahitya Academy Award, a literary honour in India. He was awarded for popularising the work of Mirza Ghalib.[22]
- Sahitya Kala Academy Award by Rajasthan government in 1998[citation needed]
- Ghalib Academy by Delhi Government in 2005[citation needed]
- Dayawati Modi Award in 1999.[23]
- Lata Mangeshkar Samman in 1998 by Madhya Pradesh government.[22]
- D.Litt. by Kurukshetra University, Haryana in 2003[citation needed]
- Teacher's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.8th Teacher's Achievement Awards.[24]
- doodle on his 72nd birthday on 8 February 2013.[25]
Film scores
Year | Film name | Details |
---|---|---|
1966 | Bahuroopi | "Laagi Ram bhajan ni lagani"[26] |
1974 | Avishkaar | "Babul Mora Naihar" |
1979 | Griha Pravesh | "Baat Niklegi Toh Phir" |
1980 | Ek Baar Kaho |
"Raakh Ke Dher Ne", "Phir Pukara Hai" |
1981 | Prem Geet | "Hontho se chhoo lo tum" |
1982 | Arth | "Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar", "Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye", "Tere Khushboo Mein Base Khat", "Too Nahin To Zindagi Mein Aur Kya Reha Jayega", "Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho" |
Saath Saath |
"Pyar Mujh Se Jo Kiya Tumne", "Tum Ko Dekha To Yeh Khayal Aaya", "Yeh Bata De Mujhe Zindagi", "Yeh Bata De Mujhe Zindagi", "Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar", "Yun Zindagi Ki Raah Mein" | |
Situm | ||
1983 | Kalka | "Tarana", "Bidesiya", "Kaise Kaise Rang" |
Tum Laut Aao | "Aaj Tumse Bichhad Raha Hoon Main", "Ek Sapnon Ka Ghar", "Kadi Takreta Haal", "Title Music", "Tere Sapne Mere Sapne", "Zakhm Jo Aapki Inayat Hai", "Bichhadi Mori Saheliyan" | |
Zulf Ke Saye Saye | "Nashili Raat Mein" | |
1984 | Raavan | "Hum to Yun Apni Zindagi Se Mile", "Main Gar Mein Chunariya" |
Bhavna |
"Mere Dil Mein Tu Hi Tu Hai" | |
1985 | Phir Aayee Barsat | "Na Mohabbat Na Dosti Ke Liye" |
1986 | Aashiana | "Humsafar Ban Ke Hum" |
Long Da Lishkara | "Ishq Hai Loko", "Main Kandyali Thor Ve", "Sare Pindch Puare Paye" | |
1987 | Abhishek | "Deewaron Pe Naqsh Banane Ka Hai Junoon", "Meri Ajab Hai Zindagi" |
Rahi | "Zindagi Mein Sada Muskurate Raho", "Dard Kaisa Bhi Ho" | |
Aaj | "Rishta Ye Kaisa Hai", "Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti Part 1", "Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti Part 2, "Phir Aaj Mujhe", "Zindagi Roz Naye" | |
1988 | Mirza Ghalib | TV serial directed by Gulzar |
1989 | Aakhri Kahani | |
Doosra Kanoon (TV) | "Hum Dosti Ehsaan Wafa Bhool Gaye Hain" | |
Kaanoon Ki Awaaz | Music Director | |
Billoo Badshah | "Yeh Jo Ghar Aangan Hai (Sad)" | |
1991 | Kahkashan | TV serial directed by Jalal Agha, produced by Ali Sardar Jafri |
Diva Bale Sari Raat | "Boliyan", "Mitti Da Bawa", "Main Teri Aa", "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar", "Diva Bale Sari Raat" | |
1992 | Nargis | "Dono Ke Dil Hai Majboor Pyar Se", "Main Kasie Kahoon Janeman" |
1993 | Khalnayak |
"O Maa Tujhe Salaam" |
1994 | Neem Ka Ped | TV serial (Title song - Munh ki baat sune har koii) |
Khudai | "Din Aa Gaye Shabab Ke", "Ulfat Ka Jab Kisis Ne Liya Naam", "Ye Sheeshe Ye Rishte" | |
Mammo | "Hazaar Baar Ruke Ham, Hazaar Baar Chale" | |
1994 | Daraar | TV serial (Title song - Rishton Mein Daraar Aayee) |
1995 | Hello Zindagi | TV documentary (Title song - "Hai Lau Zindagi") |
1996 | Sailaab | TV serial (Title song - Apni Marzi Se, Rishta Kya Hai Tera Mera, Jeevan Kya Hai Chalta Phirta) |
Tejasvini | "Raat Ghataye Jaadu Khushboo" | |
1998 | Dushman | "Chithi Na Koi Sandesh" |
1999 | Bhopal Express | "Is duniya mein rakha kya hai" |
Sarfarosh | "Hosh Walon Ko" | |
Heena | TV serial (Title song - Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye) | |
Pal Chhin | TV serial (Title song - Koi atka hua hai pal shayad) | |
2000 | Tarkieb | "Kiska Chehra ab mai dekhun" |
Shaheed Udham Singh | "Sassi", "Gurbaani" | |
2001 | Deham | "Yun To Guzar Raha Hai" |
Tum Bin | "Koi Fariyaad" | |
2002 | Leela | "Dhuan Uttha Hai", "Jaag Ke Kati", "Jabse Kareeb Ho Ke Chale", "Tere Khayal Ki" |
Vadh | "Bahut Khoobsurat" | |
2003 | Dhoop | "Benaam Sa Ye Dard", "Har Ek Ghar Mein Diya", "Teri Aankhon Se Hi" |
Joggers' Park |
"Badi Nazuk Hai" | |
Pinjar | "Haath choote" | |
Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai | "Aisi Aankhen Nahin Dekhi" | |
2004 | Veer-Zaara | "Tum Paas Aa Rahe Ho" |
STOP | "Dil Tarasta Hai" | |
2005 | Aap Ko Dekh Kar Dekhta Reh Gaya | |
2006 | Umar | "Khumari Chaddh Ke Utar Gayi" |
Baabul | "Kehta Hain Baabul" | |
2007 | Pyar Kare Dis: Feel the Power of Love | "O Saathi" |
2010 | Shahrukh Bola "Khoobsurat Hai Tu" | "Bhool Jaana" |
2011 | Gandhi to Hitler |
"Har or tabahi ka manzar" |
Khap | "Tumse Bichhad Kar" | |
2013 | Riwayat | "Aansu Kabhi Chhalke Nahi" |
Discography
|
|
See also
References
- )
- ^ "PM Manmohan Singh releases Stamp to Honor Jagjit Singh". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Sawhney, Anubha (10 November 2002). "Unforgettable moments with Jagjit Singh". Times of India. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ "When Jagjit Singh's father 'almost ended relationship' with singer for cutting hair and beard; he was barred from performance due to the new look". The Indian Express. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
But Singh also had to face graver repercussions of this step. It "almost put an end to his connection with his father" who took offence as cutting hair is against the Namdhari Sikh principles.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Nazir, Asjad (25 October 2011). "Jagjit Singh obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Hunt, Ken (13 October 2011). "Jagjit Singh: Singer hailed as the maestro of Indian ghazal". The Independent. London. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Indian singer Jagjit Singh dies". BBC. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ "Jagjit Singh". The Telegraph. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "Tributes to Jagjit Singh". Asian Image. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ Vyas, Neena (11 May 2007). "Small streams of protest swelled into national movement to regain freedom, says Kalam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ "Jagjit Singh, famous Indian singer, dies at age 70". The Guardian. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ Shariq Majeed (21 February 2012). "An emotional tribute to ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ Badola, Shreya (10 February 2012). "'Jagjit Singh was one in a million'". DNA. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "Shaan's tribute to late Jagjit Singh on his birth anniversary". Mid-Day. 8 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ Pal, Divya (11 February 2012). "A musical tribute to Jagjit Singh". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "A musical tribute to Jagjit Singh". Mid-Day. Mumbai. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "Jagjit Singh's name used for minting money". Zee News. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "Jagjit Singh... beyond time". The Hindu. 11 November 2002. Archived from the original on 1 July 2003. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Jagjit Singh... Kaagaz Ki Kashti". The Hindu. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- ^ "Govt names seven for Rajasthan Ratna award". The Times of India. 31 March 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Indian Telly Awards".
- ^ a b "'Music is therapeutic'". The Hindu. 20 May 2002. Archived from the original on 19 October 2003. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Annual Dayawati Modi Award for Art / Culture / Education". Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ http://www.teachersachievementawards.com/pdf/taa_2006.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Deoras, Neha Pandey (8 February 2013). "Google celebrates Jagjit Singh's birthday with a doodle". Business Standard India. Retrieved 15 March 2018 – via Business Standard.
- ^ "The Gujarati song that launched Jagjit Singh's career - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dnaindia.com. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
External links
- Jagjit Singh on BBC
- Jagjit Singh at IMDb