Rekha Bhardwaj reveals how late Jagjit Singh once made her feel ‘so small’, said her voice had lost its ‘chamak’

Jagjit Singh once told Rekha Bhardwaj that the “chamak (the spark)” was missing in her voice, the singer recently recalled.

Singer Rekha Bhardwaj has spoken about how late Jagjit Singh once made her feel “so small". Speaking with News18, Rekha recalled her conversation with the late ghazal singer and how his remark was a "wake-up call" for her. Jagjit Singh had once told her that the “chamak (the spark) in her voice is missing". (Also Read | Annoyed Rekha Bhardwaj stops singing during concert as organisers set off fireworks, fans say: ‘She was calm, patient’)

Rekha Bhardwaj recalls when Jagjit Singh made her feel 'small

Rekha Bhardwaj sang the reprised Teri Fariyad in Tum Bin 2, which used Jagjit Singh's vocals from the original.

Recalling the time, Rekha said, "I wasn’t upset in the usual sense. I was upset, very positively. It wasn’t about ego. It was more that, I felt so small in that moment — I had been troubling him for almost two years, and he was always encouraging, always kind. But maybe I hadn’t realised that I wasn’t doing enough riyaaz (practice singing)."

When Rekha took inspiration from Jagjit's comment

She added that the comment from Jagjit was necessary for her to focus more on her singing. “It was like being struck with a Zen stick — a wake-up call. That comment from Jagjit ji was necessary. It showed me the vacuum I had in my practice. He never said anything negative but what he did say made me push myself more. Only someone who truly loves you will correct you," she added. Rekha and Jagjit sang together Tum Bin 2 song Teri Fariyad.

About Rekha, Jagjit's songs

Jagjit, throughout his career, sang ghazals as well as Hindi and Punjabi film songs. He lent his voice to many songs, including Chithi Na Koi Sandesh, Tum Paas Aa Rahe Ho, Hosh Walon Ko, Khumari Chaddh Ke Utar Gayi, Gurbaani, Kiska Chehra Ab Mai Dekhun, Koi Fariyaad, Badi Nazuk Hai, and Bhoool Jaana.