Jagjit Singh - Songs, Career, Age, Family

Table of Content

• Biography
• Age
• Family
• Wife
• Death
• Career
• Top 5 Songs 
• Career Timeline
• Awards
• Interesting Facts

Biography

Jagjit Singh (born Jagmohan Singh Dhiman; 8 February 1941 – 10 October 2011) was an Indian composer, singer and musician. He composed and sang in numerous languages and is credited for the revival and popularity of ghazal, an Indian classical art form, by choosing poetry that was relevant to the masses and composing them in a way that laid more emphasis on the meaning of words and melody evoked by them. In terms of Indian classical music, his style of composing and gayaki (singing) is considered as Bol-pradhan, one that lays emphasis on words. He highlighted this in his music for films such as Prem Geet (1981), Arth (1982), and Saath Saath (1982), and TV serials Mirza Ghalib (1988) and Kahkashan (1991). Singh is considered to be the most successful ghazal singer and composer of all time in terms of critical acclaim and commercial success. With a career spanning five decades and many albums, the range and breadth of his work has been regarded as genre-defining. Singh's 1987 album, Beyond Time, was the first digitally recorded release in India.He was regarded as one of India's most influential artists. With sitar player Ravi Shankar and other leading figures of Indian classical music and literature, Singh voiced his concerns over the politicisation of arts and culture in India and lack of support experienced by the practitioners of India's traditional art forms, particularly folk artists and musicians. He lent active support to several philanthropic endeavours such as the library at St. Mary's School, Mumbai, Bombay Hospital, CRY, Save the Children and ALMA. Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the government of India in 2003 and in February 2014, the government released a set of two postal stamps in his honour.

Age

Shekhar Ravjiani was born on November 29, 1978, in Kutch, Gujarat, India. As of 2023, his age is 44 years. His sun sign is Sagittarius.

Family

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. 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.

Wife

Chitra Singh, born Chitra Dutta, is an esteemed Indian playback singer and the wife of the legendary ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh. She was born on March 23, 1945, in a musical family in Kolkata, West Bengal. Chitra Singh gained fame and recognition as a prominent ghazal singer alongside her husband, Jagjit Singh.

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 but suffered a brain haemorrhage on 23 September 2011. He was in a coma for over two weeks and died on 10 October at Lilavati Hospital, in Mumbai. He was cremated the following day at Chandanwadi Crematorium near Marine Lines 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.

Career

Jagjit Singh Dhiman was born at Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India (then Bikaner State). 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. There, he began his professional career in 1961 by undertaking singing and composing assignments at All India Radio's (AIR) Jalandhar station. Later, he studied to obtain a post-graduate degree in history from Kurukshetra University in Haryana. Throughout this time, and as a consequence of a natural talent that was spotted by his father, Singh learned music initially from a visually impaired master of Indian classical music, Pandit Chagan Lal Sharma and later from Ustad Jamal Khan of Maihar Gharana, who taught and trained him in all the prominent styles of Hindustani Classical vocal tradition such as Khayal, Dhrupad, Thumri and others. Throughout his teenage years, he performed on stage and composed music. Although his father, who was a government employee, had hoped that he would become an engineer, 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, Singh moved to Bombay, where there were many opportunities for music artists because of the Hindi film industry. He obtained work initially as a singer of advertising jingles and later progressed to playback singing

Top 5 songs 

Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho

This iconic ghazal is a testament to Jagjit Singh's mastery in expressing profound emotions through his soulful voice. The lyrics, penned by Kaifi Azmi, beautifully convey a sense of melancholy and resilience. With its haunting melody and heartfelt rendition, the song has become an enduring favourite among ghazal enthusiasts.

Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya

From the film Sarfarosh, this ghazal showcases Jagjit Singh's ability to create a profound impact with his voice. The song's poetic lyrics, written by Nida Fazli, delve into the complexities of life and the pursuit of dreams. Jagjit Singh's nuanced singing evokes a range of emotions, making it a timeless composition.

Yeh Daulat Bhi Le Lo

A masterpiece from the album Marasim, this ghazal highlights Jagjit Singh's ability to blend emotions and philosophical depth. The lyrics, penned by Shahryar, reflect on the transient nature of wealth and the importance of cherishing love and relationships. Jagjit Singh's velvety voice and soul-stirring rendition make this song unforgettable.

Koi Fariyaad

Featured in the film Tum Bin, this haunting ghazal showcases Jagjit Singh's versatility. The song's introspective lyrics, written by Faaiz Anwar, delve into themes of heartbreak and longing. Jagjit Singh's evocative singing, coupled with the mesmerizing melody, creates a captivating musical experience that resonates deeply with the listeners.

Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayal Aaya

From the film Saath Saath, this romantic ghazal is a testament to Jagjit Singh's ability to create enchanting melodies. The song's lyrics, penned by Javed Akhtar, express the euphoria of love and the beauty of precious moments. Jagjit Singh's soulful rendition and the song's timeless charm make it a cherished gem in his repertoire.

Career Timeline

Awards

•   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 the 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.
  

Interesting Facts 

• Jagjit Singh--born as Jagmohan Singh--obtained an arts degree from DAV College in Jalandhar.

• He began his professional career in 1961 by undertaking singing and composing assignments at All India Radio's (AIR) Jallandhar station.

• Not from a well-off family, as a child Jagjit Singh used to study by the light of lanterns, due to lack of electricity in the house. In an interview, Singh had stated that they even lacked the facility of running water.

• His father, Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman, who was a government employee, had hoped that Jagjit would become an engineer.

• He married Chitra Dutta in December 1969, and together they went on to release The Unforgettable in 1976.

• The couple's joint projects ceased in 1990, when their 18-year-old son, Vivek was killed in a road accident. Chitra felt unable to sing following these events. Monica, Chitra's daughter from her first marriage, committed suicide in 2009.

• He is the only composer and singer to have composed and recorded songs written by former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee--also a poet--in two albums, Nayi Disha (1999) and Samvedna (2002).

• In February 2014, the Government of India released a postal stamp Jagjit Singh's his honour.