Jagjit Singh: 1941-2011

Music lovers, critics and artistes in Pakistan are mourning the death of ghazal singer Jagjit Singh.

Music lovers, critics and artistes in Pakistan are mourning the death of ghazal singer Jagjit Singh.

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Pakistani folk and ghazal singer Shaukat Ali, who calls himself a great fan of Singh's art and personality, said, "He would not only sing poetry, but would paint it for us through his rendition. If we call Mehdi Hasan the emperor of ghazal, Singh was the king of ghazal."

"Jagjit Singh was a household name in Pakistan. Mirza Ghalib was a monumental landmark in his career. Through his renditions, he demystified Ghalib," said Khaled Ahmed, a music critic.

Imtiaz Alam, a music lover and secretary general of an organisation working for peace in the region, said Singh's folk song 'Juitti khal di' regaled the audience. "His music transcends borders and lives in people's hearts," he said.

Zeresh John, a Pakistani blogger, said: "With my father's passing away, I found solace in Jagjit Singh's ghazals."

"We are indeed drawing closer to the tragic end of a majestic era. We now have the responsibility to pass on what we were so generously given. The legend truly does live on," he said.