Jagjit Singh mesmerises listeners

IT all depends on what we mean by time-less. If we mean we have less
time and would like to experience the best from a singer's repertoire,
then Jagjit Singh is easily Ghazal king.

Terribly infectious and hummable, Jagjit's baritone pierces through
our senses creating a web of beauty and harmony that we cannot but
enjoy to the last dying note.

Besides his impeccable recital of the compositions, Singh's deep
mellifluous voice, as usual, captivates the audience. "I am music
personified. I can visualise music 24 hours a day," said the Ghazal
king.

He says his best is still to come. And that his voice is like vintage
wine. ''Believe me, vocal training is perhaps the greatest challenge
for me, especially at this stage. I'm glad it's getting better with
age,'' Jagjit Singh.

''We have to learn to be a singer first. The music should be good,
the words should touch hearts, irrespective of the language, For me,
it's the quality of the concert that matters, and not the number of
performances. I have always been satisfied with my performances, and I
guess it's because I've created my own competition.'' Of course
there've been distractions and disturbances, but then as Jagjit
confesses, ''I am the son of the soil. I am no saint, neither am I
detached. I am very much in the system, and I enjoy it,'' he says, his
inspiration shining through innocence and appreciation. ''Education is
important, but not at the cost of innocence. This country doesn't only
need academicians, it needs Kapil Devs and Lata Mangeshkars too.'' And
what about more Jagjit Singhs? ''That's not possible, but my disciples
have their own identity. No doubt they get frustrated with this
overnight bathroom talent making it big through shows. Ghazal singing
needs patience, training, and it's not my fault that not many people
are into it,'' voices the man, pretty much okay with
remixes...''Except the visuals.

''My philosophy is to take it as it comes. I've never been
materialistic, neither have I charted on a calculated progression.
Everything's been slow and steady, and now I'm reaping my
investments,'' muses Jagjit, no price to success attached.