Tuesday, October 11, 2011

When Ghazal dies

Aankhon se aasuon ke marasim puraane hain
Mehmaan yeh ghar mein aaye to chubhta nahi dhuaan

Jagjit Singh. Naam hi kaafi hai. For 45 years his ghazals enthralled us. He had a unique gift – he made you feel as if he was singing only for you. And that voice! It enraptured us, kept us glued to him. To most of us, Ghazal is Jagjit Singh.

I consider myself blessed. My father has a decent collection of Jagjit and Chitra Singh’s live performances. I was introduced to music heaven as early as 4 or 5. The first Jagjit Singh ghazal I ever listened to was a recording of ‘Kal Chaudhvi Ki Raat Thi’ performed at South Hall. Smashing start, wouldn’t you say? It is perhaps his finest work. Ever. I did not know it then but I was sold. Completely sold on the man.

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