Jagjit Singh’s magic haunts anyone who hears him once
There's magic in his voice. Some of his songs bring tears to the eyes of even the most hardened listener. It may be the age of pop and rap music, Jagjit Singh still finds a place in the hearts of the youth and the older generation alike.
Some of the most popular songs sung by the music maestro will soon be coming out in a collection from Universal Music. The collection is called Jazbah, which means "emotion" in Urdu. "I have a strong connection with these songs. The original versions of the sings will feature in this collection and yes, I am emotionally attached to the songs as well," the singer says.
He has popularised the ghazal without taking away from it traditional elements. Even today, concerts at colleges and schools featuring great musicians always draw the biggest crowds on the evening Singh is scheduled to perform. Where does that magical quality in his voice come from? "You must ask my listeners that question," he laughs.
Jagjit Singh is an avid believer in technological improvements in recording and is eager to sing his favourites with advanced technology in place. "If I could, I would love to re-record everything I have sung. I want to use modern technology and see how it turns out then."
He was one of the first older musicians who did not shy away from using music videos to publicise his new albums or collections. They have worked well for him and he continues to believe in the ability of music videos to tell people about a forthcoming album. The video to Tera Chehra Kitna Suhana Lagta Hai was very popular as is the music video to the old favourite Tumko Dekha To Ye Khayal Aaya. "Music videos are an inalienable part of the music business. It is an efficient medium of publicity; one talks to the public through a music video. Without a video, how will the public come to know about new releases?" the maestro says.
Music, to Singh, is the most beautiful thing in the world. "Music can heal, it can be used for meditation." The singer puts his heart into every song he sings; the depth of feeling in his songs that brings on the tears is real. But the singer is disappointed with the current trend in popular music in the country. In spite of his belief in the good technology can bring to music, the musician acknowledges that hi-tech manouevers alone cannot make a melody. "A lot of sub-standard music is being produced. Technology in music is all very well, but people who have imperfect talents are becoming successful musicians. Computer engineers are turning music composers and directors. They don't know anything about music! One has to lay stress on quality while recording. Lyrics, singing, compositions, everything has to be perfect." Singh says.
The ghazal maestro also has grave reservations about talent hunts that have become popular reality television shows on leading satellite channels. While shows such as Indian Idol, Super Singer and numerous other shows catapult "talented" artists to 10 seconds of fame, Singh has nothing but scorn for such shows.
"It's not that there's no talent. Our country is full of talented musicians. But media is promoting the wrong kind of talent. Indian Idol is a stupid show, as are all other shows like it. The only talent hunt show on television that is good is Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. But this too is limited to film songs. Why can't the media stress on our beautiful folk songs, why can't there be competitions on classical songs? The judging of such too is defective. SMS polls cannot decide who is the best singer. The results look like they have been manipulated," Singh expostulates.
Unlike some musicians, Jagjit Singh does not blame the younger generation is for their psychedelic taste in music. "Youth will taste whatever they get. It's not the younger generation's fault if they are listening to sub-standard music. They don't know good music because they haven't heard it."
In other matters too, Singh is different in his views. While striking off low quality music, the maestro has nothing against remixed versions of old songs. "There's nothing wrong with remixes. They bring back in circulation old melodies. They're good. And there's no reason why they should retain their old sounds. Times have changed and so should the music. Some songs have even improved after being remixed. Modern technology has made them sound better. The only thing wrong with remixes is the visuals that accompany the songs. They are vulgar," Singh says.
Jagjit continues to weave his magic with his honeyed voice. The singer says a new album will be out in a few weeks. It's called Koi Baat Chale. Master lyricist and poet Gulzar has written the songs in this new album and the music is by Jagjit Singh. Watch out for it!
Some of the most popular songs sung by the music maestro will soon be coming out in a collection from Universal Music. The collection is called Jazbah, which means "emotion" in Urdu. "I have a strong connection with these songs. The original versions of the sings will feature in this collection and yes, I am emotionally attached to the songs as well," the singer says.
He has popularised the ghazal without taking away from it traditional elements. Even today, concerts at colleges and schools featuring great musicians always draw the biggest crowds on the evening Singh is scheduled to perform. Where does that magical quality in his voice come from? "You must ask my listeners that question," he laughs.
Jagjit Singh is an avid believer in technological improvements in recording and is eager to sing his favourites with advanced technology in place. "If I could, I would love to re-record everything I have sung. I want to use modern technology and see how it turns out then."
He was one of the first older musicians who did not shy away from using music videos to publicise his new albums or collections. They have worked well for him and he continues to believe in the ability of music videos to tell people about a forthcoming album. The video to Tera Chehra Kitna Suhana Lagta Hai was very popular as is the music video to the old favourite Tumko Dekha To Ye Khayal Aaya. "Music videos are an inalienable part of the music business. It is an efficient medium of publicity; one talks to the public through a music video. Without a video, how will the public come to know about new releases?" the maestro says.
Music, to Singh, is the most beautiful thing in the world. "Music can heal, it can be used for meditation." The singer puts his heart into every song he sings; the depth of feeling in his songs that brings on the tears is real. But the singer is disappointed with the current trend in popular music in the country. In spite of his belief in the good technology can bring to music, the musician acknowledges that hi-tech manouevers alone cannot make a melody. "A lot of sub-standard music is being produced. Technology in music is all very well, but people who have imperfect talents are becoming successful musicians. Computer engineers are turning music composers and directors. They don't know anything about music! One has to lay stress on quality while recording. Lyrics, singing, compositions, everything has to be perfect." Singh says.
The ghazal maestro also has grave reservations about talent hunts that have become popular reality television shows on leading satellite channels. While shows such as Indian Idol, Super Singer and numerous other shows catapult "talented" artists to 10 seconds of fame, Singh has nothing but scorn for such shows.
"It's not that there's no talent. Our country is full of talented musicians. But media is promoting the wrong kind of talent. Indian Idol is a stupid show, as are all other shows like it. The only talent hunt show on television that is good is Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. But this too is limited to film songs. Why can't the media stress on our beautiful folk songs, why can't there be competitions on classical songs? The judging of such too is defective. SMS polls cannot decide who is the best singer. The results look like they have been manipulated," Singh expostulates.
Unlike some musicians, Jagjit Singh does not blame the younger generation is for their psychedelic taste in music. "Youth will taste whatever they get. It's not the younger generation's fault if they are listening to sub-standard music. They don't know good music because they haven't heard it."
In other matters too, Singh is different in his views. While striking off low quality music, the maestro has nothing against remixed versions of old songs. "There's nothing wrong with remixes. They bring back in circulation old melodies. They're good. And there's no reason why they should retain their old sounds. Times have changed and so should the music. Some songs have even improved after being remixed. Modern technology has made them sound better. The only thing wrong with remixes is the visuals that accompany the songs. They are vulgar," Singh says.
Jagjit continues to weave his magic with his honeyed voice. The singer says a new album will be out in a few weeks. It's called Koi Baat Chale. Master lyricist and poet Gulzar has written the songs in this new album and the music is by Jagjit Singh. Watch out for it!
posted by Amarjeet Singh at 12:26 AM
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