Life after Jagjit

“Bicchhra kuchh iss terah se ke rutt hi badal gayi

Ikk saksh saare shehar ko veeran kar gaya”

The Urdu couplet by poet Khalid Rashid is veritable summation of the emotive feel of fans of music maestro Jagjit Singh, the world over but hurts the sentiments of his life and music partner Chitra Singh the most. The unique couple made for each other and music who had defined and epitomised the elegance, erudition and esteem of all genres of music, especially the modern ghazal, which dealt with the whole spectrum of human emotions rather than the old “Mehboob se guftu” trend. Chitra Jagjit Singh (75) shares some of her memories and life after the demise of her mentor, guru and above all a loving life partner.

Coming from a musical family of Calcutta, Chitra had grown up listening to the drone of Tanpura and soulful musical strains emanating from the melodious voice of her mother, a well-known classical vocalist. Chitra, too, was inclined to music and imbibed the basics of music before she got married to Debo Parsad Dutta, also music enthusiast. Though an officer he had established a music studio in his house which was frequently visited by music composers and singer for recording. Excerpts from an interview withher

It is learnt that you out rightly rejected Jagjit Singh’s voice

Yes. Once my Gujarati family neighbour invited me to a concert at their home telling that a young boy from Punjab will sing for us. Due to over-crowding, I did not attend but the other day she brought the recording for me. To this, I said while sur and taal is good but the voice was too heavy ‘kharab lagta hai’. I heard Jagjit Singh properly when he visited my house for a recording directed by music director Mohinderjit Singh. Responding to his bell when I opened the door I observed him virtually sleeping along the wall. He entered our home studio and fell asleep in a corner. After other singers had recorded, Jagjit took over the harmonium displaying amazing control over the instrument and gayaki but I failed to like his heavy bass voice. I refused to record the planned duet with him.

What changed your opinion about his voice?

Once after a jingle recording in another studio, I invited him for a cup of tea. When I was preparing tea in my kitchen, he pulled out my harmonium and started singing a ghazal “Dhuan utha deevane ke jalte ghar se saari raat”. What a melodious composition weaving the lyrical intent to perfection. I was surprised and amazed to know that he had composed this complex composition during his college days. His music composing skills and singing was a revelation to me. Thereafter we met frequently for music practice as my husband Debo Dutta liked his voice.

How did your marriage with Jagjit Singh materialise.

Our close association grew into friendship and relationship. By now we were well known as duet ghazal singers of merit and a concert tour to Africa happened, which was an astounding success and established us as international performers. After my divorce with Debo Dutta, I had started living separately with my daughter Monika. Meanwhile I found Jagjit very supportive as far music and my life was concerned. He was fond of Monika. During the Africa tour, I found that he was humility and humanity personified and upon our return decided to get married for which Jagjit sought Mr Dutta’s consent. After a simple marriage ceremony at a gurdwara in Kolaba, we settled and worked hard to sustain ourselves by recording and performing tirelessly which eventually earned us enough fan following. We were invited by HMV to record their first LP.