Tribute to Jagjit Singh on his birth anniversary

From Newsbuddy Desk

Today, February 8th, marks the birth anniversary of the legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, who revolutionized the world of music and brought ghazals to the forefront of popularity.

Born on February 8, 1941, in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, Jagjit Singh’s original name was Manmohan Singh Dhiman. His father, Amar Singh, and mother, Sardarni Bachchan Kaur, were his earliest influences. Following a suggestion by a astrologer, his father changed his name to Jagjit Singh, which proved to be a turning point in his life.

Jagjit Singh’s early education took place at Khalsa High School, followed by his graduation from D.A.V. College in Jalandhar. His interest in music led him to train under Pandit Chhaganlal Sharma and Ustad Jamal Khan.

In 1961, Jagjit Singh began his singing career with All India Radio, and in 1962, he performed at a function honoring the then-President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. He moved to Mumbai in 1965 to try his luck in film music, facing numerous challenges before eventually making a name for himself.

Jagjit Singh’s breakthrough came when he began composing music for ghazals, which quickly gained popularity. During this time, he met Chitra Shome, a music enthusiast who shared his passion for ghazals. The two got married, and Chitra Singh became an integral part of Jagjit Singh’s music career.

Together, the duo revolutionized the ghazal genre, incorporating modern instruments and melodies. Their album “Unforgettable” marked the beginning of their success, which continues to this day.

Apart from ghazals, Jagjit Singh also sang several devotional songs and recorded poems written by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In 1990, Jagjit Singh faced a personal tragedy when his 18-year-old son, Vivek, passed away in a car accident. This led to Chitra Singh stopping her singing career. A few years later, their daughter also passed away, leaving the couple devastated. Jagjit Singh eventually returned to singing, using music as a way to cope with his grief.

Jagjit Singh received numerous awards and accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 2003, and awards from the Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi. He also sang for several films, including “Arth,” “Saath Saath,” “Prem Katha,” “Tum Bin,” and “Dushman.”

Jagjit Singh passed away in 2011, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence music lovers to this day. We pay our humble tribute to this legendary artist on his birth anniversary.