He lived true to his name- Jagjit conquered the hearts of millions

“Mein sattar ka hoon. Dikta nahin hoon na? Lekin hoon.” With this humorous remark, Jagjit Singh had the audience in splits and began the rendition of his ghazals. He enthralled them with his calm, sonorous and melancholic voice. 

The concert, which was held in Bangalore few months ago, was part of Jagjit’s commitment to host 70 live shows around the world this year. He was giving these concerts to commemorate his 70^th birthday. I witnessed the Sultan of Ghazal perform live for the first time and didn’t even imagine of it being my last! 

People attach various adjectives to describe Jagjit’s voice. All I can say is: his soulful voice can even pierce the heart of Brahma- The Creator. When Jagjit sings, the environment seems like a captive audience. The depth in his voice is truly captivating and diction as clear as a mirror.

The one thing I admired about the ghazal maestro was his fortitude and serenity. Jagjit regaled the audience with his wit and humour under a cloud of his own agony and pain. I felt he was like a swan- serene and composed on the outside, but paddling hard over his personal tragedies to keep him afloat. Just like his ghazals, life was full of similes and metaphors for the calm singer.    

Each time Jagjit cracked a joke during the concert and made people laugh, I was reminded of his song: “Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, Kya Gham Hai Jisko Chhupa Rahe Ho.” He made grief and pain look as simple as his ghazal.

The evening indeed was heart-warming; but his courage and perseverance was sublime. The indisputable ghazal maestro’s voice still rings clear in my ears; but it is his resilient spirit which is captured in my eyes. I went to the concert with a light heart to enjoy the evening; but returned home high-spirited: wanting to develop a strong heart to be able to negotiate with the vicissitudes of life!

Jagjit lived true to his name. He conquered the hearts of millions with his soulful voice. And apart from his voice and sense of humour, I was impressed with his positive, tranquil, never say die attitude.  

Jagjit took delight in entertaining the audience. He seemed to be in absolute harmony with his ghazal: “Hoshwalon ko khabar kya bekhudi kya cheez hai, Ishq ki jaye phir samajhiye, Zindagi kya cheez hai.”

The ghazal maestro was surely a winner in life. He took advantage of his rejections as a playback singer, and had the gumption to popularize ghazal. He made use of his poignant voice, and aptly positioned the brand Ghazal, especially in India.

Jagjit was born with a mission- a mission to conquer the hearts of the world, and showing them the way to lead a creative, productive and valuable life throughout ones existence.

To many, Jagjit was regarded as the ‘King of Ghazal’. To me the brand Jagjit is “King of life”. Metaphorically put: “Jagjit accomplished his mission. He has gone to come back with a brand new mission, in a brand new form!”     

By

Shivani Venugopal

PR Professional