Music

'Jagjit Singh was planning a world tour'

Shabana Azmi, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, October 11, 2011

First Published: 13:41 IST(11/10/2011)
Last Updated: 16:10 IST(11/10/2011)

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Part 1: Jagjit Singh's last concert

I cannot imagine Arth without Jagjit Singh’s voice. The songs, Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye Ki Woh Tanha Kyun Hai… and Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho… are sung with such truth and such soulfulness that I get gooseflesh listening to them even today. And on screen, I was able to react the way I did, because

the stimulus was so sensitive and the situations so poignant.

Jagjit had a gifted voice but he raised the ghazal to such heights because he respected the word…the lafz… and was able to communicate its true meaning through his soul.

A ghazal of abba’s (her poet-lyricist father Kaifi Azmi) is what I’d like to sing to Jagjit today… Rehne Ko Sad Dehr Mein Aata Nahin Koi, Tum Jaise Gaye Aise Bhi Jaata Nahin Koi…

One day, before his brain hemorrhage, he was discussing a world tour with Javed (lyricist-husband Javed Akhtar) that they were planning for next year. He was perfectly healthy then. Aisa lagta hai jaise kala ki duniya ko nazar lag gayi hai (It seems like a dark cloud has shrouded the world of art).

Remembering his movie melodies...
* Koi Gesu Koi Aanchal Hamein Aawaaz Na De… Ek Baar Kaho (1980)
* Hontho Se Chhoo Lo Tum… Prem Geet (1981)
* Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar - Saath Saath (1982)
* Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar..., Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye…, Tere Khushboo Mein Base Khat…, Tu Nahin To Zindagi Mein Aur Kya Reh Jayega…, Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho… – Arth (1982)
* Hazaar Baar Ruke Ham Hazaar Baar Chale… – Mammo (1994)
* Kiska Chehra Ab Mai Dekhun Tera Chehra Dekh Kar… – Tarkieb (2000)
* Badi Nazuk Hai… – Joggers’ Park (2003)
* Har Or Tabahi Ka Manzar… – Dear Friend Hitler (2011)