On the 83rd birth anniversary of ghazal king Jagjit Singh, celebs pay tributes

Gurnaaz Kaur

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Jagjit Singh’s timeless melodies have left an indelible mark on the hearts of music enthusiasts. The passion and devotion with which he sang brought life to music and how! As we celebrate the 83rd birth anniversary of the legendary ghazal maestro, singers from Punjab, both veteran and contemporary, pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Jagjit Singh.

Seeker of music
Hans Raj Hans, folk and Sufi singer

Hazaaron saal Nargis apni be-noori pe roti hai, badi mushkil se hota hai chaman mein Didawar paida — this couplet by Allama Iqbal fittingly encapsulated the persona of Jagjit Singh. He was a limitless singer and person; a seeker of music. He devoted his entire life to riyaaz, even in his final days. He did a lot of hard work to transform his voice. They say you truly get to know someone by either travelling or eating with them. I’ve had the privilege of both with Jagjit Singh. We were together for three months for a reality show. And that time spent in close proximity of Jagjit Singh makes me say that he was destined to be singer, an artiste of unparalleled uniqueness. He was one-of-a-kind, not just as a musician but also as a person. He played the role of an elder brother, a father figure in my life. He would advise me to save money, showed me how to channelize time. When he was working on a devotional album, Guru Maneyo Granth, he asked me to sing Baba Farid’s track with him and that experience is etched in my memory.

Broad spectrum
Vinod Sehgal, disciple of Jagjit Singh

The musical virtuosity of the legend can be measured by the spectrum of his work and his contribution to music. If connoisseurs of Hindustani classical music cherish his compositions in Raag Darbari, Lalit, Bihag, Bhairavi and more, on the one hand, the lovers of ghazal consider his interpretation of Mirza Ghalib as superb.

True maestro
Kanwar Grewal, Punjabi Sufi singer

Jagjit Singh put soul into ghazals with his melodious voice. His style of singing made him a world-renowned figure. He was a maestro who touched the souls of music lovers across the world. I used to listen to his songs often. He will be forever be missed by music lovers.

True inspiration
Rashmeet Kaur, singer-songwriter

Jagjit Sing is one of the purest artistes of all time. I grew up listening to him; he is a legend who put life into words. He is immortal and has an irreplaceable voice. He has been an inspiration to many in the industry, including me during my growing up years. I have so many favourites. Koi Fariyad would be on the top of the list for me.