Jagjit Singh

Early life and career

Jagjit Singh Dhiman was born on 8 February 1941 in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India (then Bikaner State) into a Namdhari Sikh Punjabi family. His father, Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman, was a surveyor with the government's Public Works' Department and hailed from village Dalla in Ropar district of Punjab.

Educated initially at Khalsa High School and Government College in Sri Ganganagar, Singh obtained an arts degree from DAV College, Jalandhar. Singh pursued his passion for music relentlessly. Like all parents in Indian middle-class families, his father aspired for him to become a bureaucrat. However, he also encouraged Singh and his siblings to learn music.

In March 1965, and without the knowledge of his family,

Achievement

Singh was still struggling to make a living in 1967 when he met the Bengali-born Chitra Dutta. She divorced her husband and married Singh in December 1969. Following the birth of their son, Vivek, the couple performed as a singing duo but it was not until the 1977 release of the album The Unforgettable that they found significant, and surprising, success. In the interval, the primary difficulty for them had been that the ghazal music genre was dominated by Muslim artists and especially those from Pakistan.

The Unforgettable, which was the couple's first LP, The Independent described it in 2011 as "ground-breaking ... it became a transformative, before-and-after milestone in the history of Indian popular and ghazals music. It remains that." Using modern arrangements, it consists of ten tracks that include two on which they sang as a duo and the remainder equally split between Jagjit and Chitra singing the lead. The Independent further noted that "This format of solo and duet performances from the first commercially successful husband-and-wife team in Indian popular music proved astonishingly successful."

Among their subsequent duo recordings of the 1970s were Shiv Kumar Batalvi – Birha da Sultan (1978), Live in Concert at Wembley (1979) and Come Alive (1979). Of those released in the 1980s, The Latest by Sudarshan Faakir was the best selling album with his lifetime hit "Woh Kagaz ki Kashti...Woh Baarish ka Paani". It was the first album by the duo with poetry of only one Poet. Ecstasies (1984) has also been described as "one of their finest". The joint projects ceased in 1990 when their 20-year-old son, Vivek, died in a road accident. Chitra felt unable to sing following these events. Monica, Chitra's daughter from her first marriage, committed suicide in 2009.

Although Jagjit continued to work and to have success after Chitra withdrew from public life he, too, was affected by the death of Vivek. The Guardian notes that he "suffered from deep depression and his anguish was often evident in his live performances." Aside from occupying himself with solo projects, which he performed in several languages, he collaborated with Lata Mangeshkar on an album titled Sajda, an Urdu word meaning "prostration".

Singh's work in film encompassed playback singing for productions such as Arth, Saath Saath and Premgeet. He composed all of the songs for the latter, as well as for the TV serial Mirza Ghalib that was based on the life of the eponymous poet, Mirza Ghalib.

On 10 May 2007, in the presence of numerous political and diplomatic luminaries at an event held in the Central Hall of the Parliament of India, Jagjit Singh rendered Bahadur Shah Zafar's famous ghazal "Lagta Nahin Hai Dil Mera" to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Albums

Personal life

In 1990, Vivek Singh (Jagjit Singh and Chitra's son) died in a road accident at the age of 20. This came as a profound shock to Jagjit and Chitra Singh. They gave up music for a full year after the death. At the end of that period, Jagjit returned slowly to music, but Chitra announced her retirement and declared that she would not sing or record any more songs. In 2009, his step-daughter, Monica Chowdhary, aged 50, died by suicide.

Singh had suffered from numerous ailments like diabetes and hypertension during his later life, and had undergone two heart bypass surgeries in 1998 and 2007. A chain smoker for decades, he had stopped smoking after his first heart attack.

Death

Singh turned 70 in February 2011. To celebrate his 70th birthday he committed 70 concerts in different parts of the world. He toured the UK, Singapore, Mauritius, inter alias, in 2011 and was due to perform with Ghulam Ali in Mumbai

A number of tributes have been paid to Singh after his death, and some tried to cash in on his popularity, which was criticised by his wife.

Legacy

A biography of Singh, entitled Beyond Time based on about 40 hours of interviews with him, was released in 2012. It was transcribed and edited by Ashrani Mathur. A biopic documentary by the name of Kaagaz Ki Kashti has been made on the life journey of Jagjit Singh, who broke through the norms and revolutionised the Ghazal scenario. The film traces the struggle and stardom in his musical career, the love & loss in his personal life and the scope and limitations in the music scenario of the times. The film directed by Brahmanand S Singh is currently available on Amazon Prime Video in India and worldwide.

Recognition

• In 2012, the State Government of Rajasthan posthumously awarded Jagjit Singh its highest civilian award, the Rajasthan Ratna.
• In 2002 and 2005, Singh was awarded the Indian Telly Award for the best title singer for a TV show.
• In 2003, Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, by the government of India
• In 1998, Jagjit Singh was awarded Sahitya Academy Award, a literary honour in India. He was awarded for popularising the work of Mirza Ghalib.
• Sahitya Kala Academy Award by Rajasthan government in 1998
• Ghalib Academy by Delhi Government in 2005
• Dayawati Modi Award in 1999.
• Lata Mangeshkar Samman in 1998 by Madhya Pradesh government.
• D.Litt. by Kurukshetra University, Haryana in 2003
• Teacher's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.8th Teacher's Achievement Awards.
• Google honoured Jagjit Singh with a doodle on his 72nd birthday on 8 February 2013.

Film scores

Discography

• Arth (1982)
• Saath Saath (1982)
• Aaeena (2000)
• Aarogya Mantra (2008)
• Adaa (1992)
• Ae Mere Dil (1983)
• A Journey (2000)
• Akhand Ram Naam (2009)
• A Milestone (1980)
• Amritanjali (2009)
• An Evening With Jagjit & Chitra Singh (Live)
• A Sound Affair (1985)
• Awaaz (2007)
• Baba Sheikh Farid (Shabads & Shlokas- 2006)
• Beyond Time (1987)
• Best of Jagjit & Chitra Singh (2005)
• Bhajans (Lata-Jagjit −2004)
• Bhajan Uphar (2008)
• Biraha Da Sultan (1978)
• Chahat (2004)
• Chirag (Also known as Live in Trinidad – Islamic Devotional- 1993)
• Classics Forever (2000)
• Close to My Heart (2003)
• Come Alive in a Concert (1979)
• Cry For CRY (1995)
• Dard-E-Jigar (2011)
• Desires (1994)
• Different Strokes (2001)
• Dil- Jagjit, Asha & Lata (2002)
• Dil Kahin Hosh Kahin (1999)
• Do Dil Do Rahein (A Tribute To Mehdi Hasan- 2007)
• Echoes (1986)
• Ecstasies (1984)
• Emotions (1989)
• Encore
• Essential Chants of Shiva (2006)
• Eternity (1978)
• Face To Face (1994)
• Forever (2002)
• Forget Me Not (2002)
• Gayatri Mantra (2008)
• Ghalib Live in Concert (2014)
• Ghazal Greats Jagjit Singh And Ghulam Ali
• Ghazals from Films (1989)
• Golden Moments (1999)
• Govardhan Girdhari (2011)
• Guru Govind Singh (1998)
• Hare Krishna (Live)
• Hari Om Tatsat (2003)
• Harmony
• Hey Govind Hey Gopal (1991)
• Hey Ram (Ram Dhun)
• Hare Ram Hare Krishna (1999)
• Hope (1991)
• Kahkashan,Doordarshan TV Serial (1991–92)
• In Search (1992)
• In Sight (1994)
• In Sync- Jagjit Singh & Asha Bhonsle
• Inteha (2009)
• Jaam Utha(1999)
• Jai Raghunandan Jai Siyaram (2002)
• Jai Siya Ram (2000)
• Jazbaat (2008)
• Jeevan Kya Hai (2005)
• Jeevan Maran Chhe Ek (Gujrati)
• Kabir (2007)
• Karuna (2007)
• Keertan (Gurbani- 2000)
• Khamoshi (2002)
• Khumar
• Khwahish (2002)
• Krishna (1983)
• Krishna Bhajans (1998)
• Koi Baat Chale (2006)
• Krishna Bhajans And Music For Divine Meditation (2009)
• Krishna Dhun
• Live in Concert (1988)
• Live in Concert at the Wembley (1980)
• Live in Pakistan (1979)
• Live in Royal Albert Hall (1983)
• Live in Sydney (2006)
• Life Story (Live- 2001)
• Live With Jagjit & Chitra Singh
• Live With Jagjit Singh (1993)
• Love
• Love Is Blind (1998)
• Maa (1993)
• Madho Hum Aise Tu Aisa (2003)
• Madhusudana- Shree Krishna Dhun (2011)
• Magic Moments
• Main Aur Meri Tanhai (1981)
• Man Jeetey Jagjit (1990)
• Man Mein Ram Basa Le
• Marasim (1999)
• Mara Ghatma Shrinathji (2007)
• Mehfil (1990)
• Melodious Pair
• Memorable Concert (Live)
• Memorable Ghazals of Jagjit and Chitra (1990)
• Mirage (1995)
• Mirza Ghalib (T.V. Serial- 1988)
• Mitr Pyaare Nu (2005)
• Moksha (2005)
• Morning Prayers And Music For Divine Meditation (2009)
• Muntzir (2004)
• Nayi Disha (1999)
• Nivedan (2011)
• Om- The Divine Mantra (2007)
• Parwaaz (live at the Esplanade, Singapore- 2004)
• Passions (1987)
• Phaldata Ganesh: God Who Fulfills Wishes (2006)
• Playback Years
• Pray For India
• Punjabi Hits- Jagjit & Chitra Singh
• Radhey Krishna Radhey Shyam (2000)
• Radhey Krishna Dhun
• Rare Gems (1992)
• Rare Moments
• Ravayat
• Rishton Mein Darar Aayi
• Romance
• Masha alla
• Royal Salute
• Saanwara (2003)
• Saher (2000)
• Sai Dhun (2005)
• Sajda (1991)
• Samvedna (2002)
• Samyog (Nepali)
• Shabads Live in the UK (2014)
• Shiva (Dhuns and Bhajans- 2005)
• Shri Ganesha (2010)
• Shukrana (2011)
• Silsilay (1998)
• Solid Gold (2001)
• Someone Somewhere (1990)
• Soz (2001)
• Stolen Moments
• Tera Bayaan Ghalib (2012)
• The Inimitable Ghazals Composed by Jagjit Singh (1996)
• The Latest (1982)
• The Life And Times of Jagjit Singh (2011)
• The Master and His Magic (2012)
• The Unforgettables (1977)
• The Voice From Beyond (2013)
• Together
• Trishna (Bengali-2001)
• Tum Toh Nahin Ho (2005)
• Unique (1996)
• Vakratunda Mahakaya (2006)
• Visions (1992)
• Your Choice (1993)
• Black & White (2008) - "Yeh Hindustan Hai" (Part 1)

References

References

1. Mathur, Asharani. (2002). "Beyond time : the ageless music of Jagjit Singh". Habitat Arts.
2. "PM Manmohan Singh releases Stamp to Honor Jagjit Singh". news.biharprabha.com.
3. Bhardwaj, Deeksha. (2018-10-10). "Seven years after his death, seven songs that keep Jagjit Singh alive for fans".
4. (2022-10-10). "When Jagjit Singh's father 'almost ended relationship' with singer for cutting hair and beard; he was barred from performance due to the new look".
5. Nazir, Asjad. (25 October 2011). "Jagjit Singh obituary". The Guardian.
6. Sawhney, Anubha. (10 November 2002). "Unforgettable moments with Jagjit Singh". Times of India.
7. (11 October 2011). "Jagjit Singh". The Telegraph.
8. (10 October 2011). "Indian singer Jagjit Singh dies". BBC.
9. (10 October 2011). "Tributes to Jagjit Singh". Asian Image.
10. Vyas, Neena. (11 May 2007). "Small streams of protest swelled into national movement to regain freedom, says Kalam". [[The Hindu]].
11. (30 May 2009). "Chitra Singh daughter found hanging; was depressed, says family".
12. Shariq Majeed. (21 February 2012). "An emotional tribute to ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh". [[The Times of India]].
13. Badola, Shreya. (10 February 2012). "'Jagjit Singh was one in a million'". DNA.
14. (8 February 2012). "Shaan's tribute to late Jagjit Singh on his birth anniversary". [[Mid-Day]].
15. Pal, Divya. (11 February 2012). "A musical tribute to Jagjit Singh". [[The Times of India]].
16. (17 February 2012). "A musical tribute to Jagjit Singh". [[Mid-Day]].
17. (5 February 2012). "Jagjit Singh's name used for minting money". Zee News.
18. (11 November 2002). "Jagjit Singh... beyond time". [[The Hindu]].
19. (15 July 2017). "Jagjit Singh... Kaagaz Ki Kashti". The Hindu.
20. (31 March 2012). "Govt names seven for Rajasthan Ratna award". [[The Times of India]].
21. "Indian Telly Awards".
22. (20 May 2002). "'Music is therapeutic'". [[The Hindu]].
23. "Annual Dayawati Modi Award for Art / Culture / Education".
24. "Home - Blended Scotch Whisky – Teacher's Whisky".
25. Deoras, Neha Pandey. (8 February 2013). "Google celebrates Jagjit Singh's birthday with a doodle". Business Standard India.
26. (11 October 2011). "The Gujarati song that launched Jagjit Singh's career - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis".