Tributes to Jagjit Singh
There was a lull in the world of ghazals and ghazal singers in the sub-continent. A star by the name of Jagjit Singh appeared and emanated the sweet fragrance of ghazals. Ghazal singing dwindled in the sixties with the advent of Western music. The Shahenshah of Ghazal Talat Mehmood died. Barqat Ali Khan expired before that. In Pakistan, Mehdi Hassan switched to crooning film songs. Habib Wali, Munni Begum, Musarrat Nazir etc. kept the fire burning. Still, enough was not being achieved. Jagjit Singh filled the vacuum; he improvised and modernised ghazals and ghazal singing.
He along with Ghulam Ali rendered ghazal singing financially viable and profitable. They ushered in an era of resurgence of interest in ghazals. Jagjit's heavy voice enthralled the audiences. Jagjit's early ghazals were the best ones- "Ahista ahista, tumhe kaise batayu…tanha kyo ho, aag pani mein lagaya hoo…"
Jagjit Singh expired at the 'not yet ripe' age of seventy. He will be remembered for his exotic mellow yet robust singing. We pay rich tribute to the Ghazal King Jagjit Singh, his memory and works.
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