Baritone route to the heart

Manpriya Singh

There is no running down the remix culture; after all it’s taken the music industry by a storm. But can Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho… be played in one’s head in any version other than the original? Lyrics, melody and a soulful voice, Jagjit Singh’s music had it all, the very fact that makes most of his works so unreachable in terms of remixes and so reachable to those outside of his generation as well as his genre. On his 79th birth anniversary, young musicians revisit the works by the late ‘ghazal king’, the music that didn’t make one pump their fists in the air, but close their eyes and give in to the magic of melody.

Lyricist composer Kunaal Vermaa specifically recalls listening to Tere Aane Ki Jab Khabar Mehke on repeat mode during the days he had just fallen in love. “Un dino naya naya ishq hua tha, so that song resonated with my feelings,” says the composer, who admits to being one of the ardent fans of the late legend. “So much so that when I started writing, I started with ghazals only. In fact, if Jagjit ji were to sing the song that would have been my debut. I had been after him for a long time; he liked one of the ghazals and agreed too. But God had other plans.” His upcoming song Tu Yaad Aaya, due next week, is where he has attempted to retain the essence of Jagjit Singh. “It’s inspired by the songs he’d render; the words have a similar feel, although I have used much simpler ones.” He adds, “Jagjit Singh ji was from Ganganagar and I am from Rajasthan, so I feel super-proud of this association with him too.”

Deep influence

From the ever peppy Punjabi tappe with his wife Chitra Singh, to Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayal Aaya, a song that hasn’t gotten a day old since he sang it, singer Shilpa Rao’s favourite would be the very Punjabi number Mitti Da Bawa by Jagjit Singh. Personally speaking, having given hits like Ghungroo Toot Gaye or recently released international song, Those Words, her musical influences go right back to childhood when she grew up listening to those ghazals. “My parents’ first date was a Jagjit Singh concert.”

Play on

Singer-composer Jubin Nautiyal admits to being a big fan of Jagjit Singh. “So much so that I have explored this whole side of classical and light classical singing by him that not many people have heard of.” Talk of being hooked to Jagjit Singh and he says, “He had the talent of singing the deepest of things in the simplest of ways. It’s the most beautiful form of art.” Chithi Na Koi Sandesh Jaane Voh Kaunsa Desh is the one that he really likes. “In one of my recent songs, Tum Hi Aana, I have sung it keeping Jagjit sir in mind.”

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Programmes to be held in jagjit singh’s memory

• North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) Patiala/Kalagram Chandigarh: Jagjit Singh ghazal contest 2020 and a concert at Mini Tagore Theatre on February 8.
• Rotary Club Chandigarh: A mehfil of Jagjit’s ghazals by RD Kailey at Mini Tagore Theatre on February 15.
• INTACH Karnal: Will hold a contest of ghazals of Jajit Singh at Gouraiya Karnal from 10 am and a unique multimedia presentation Baat niklegi toh… by author Sathya Saran on February 9 at 7 .00 pm.
• Haribhumi and Jagjit Singh Fans’ group Rohtak: Will present the ninth edition of Mehfil-e-Mousiqui-e-Jagjit by Jaswinder Singh Mumbai at Tagore Theatre, MDU Rohtak. Programme will be held on February 9 at 7.00 pm.
• The DD National Channel will broadcast a live concert as a tribute to Jagjit Singh by top Bollywood icons on February 8.

Did you know?

The fact that Government of India issued a stamp in his name posthumously or awarded a Padma Shri or the tickets for his concert at Royal Albert Hall were sold out in three hours flat or he was the first Indian musician to record a digital album back in 1987, titled Beyond Time! His last recorded song for the film Bandook had lyrics, Mrigtrishna Marusthal Ki, Chalti Ret Roop Dhar Jal Ki. Parting words from the legend!