Beyond
Time : The Ageless Music of Jagjit Singh (With 2 Vols.-CD)/edited by Asha Rani
Mathur. New Delhi, Habitat Arts Pvt. Ltd., 2002, 164 p., photographs, $132.
ISBN 81-901563-0-6.
Beyond
Time : The Ageless Music of Jagjit Singh (With 2 Vols.-CD)/edited by Asha Rani
Mathur. New Delhi, Habitat Arts Pvt. Ltd., 2002, 164 p., photographs, $132.
ISBN 81-901563-0-6.
Contents: Foreword/Lata Mangeshkar. I. Family album: 1. Up to 1965. 2. Facet: poets & poetry. 3. Album : Birha da Sultan. II. Streets of gold: 1. 1965-1967. 2. Facet: the ghazal & perceptions. 3. Album: Mirza Ghalib. III. Saath Saath with Chitra: 1. 1967-1975. 2. Facet: composition & orchestration. 3. Album: the unforgettables. IV. The unforgettables and after: 1. 1976-1986. 2. Facet: a sound interest. 3. Album: beyond time. V. Triumph and tragedy: 1. 1987-1996. 2. Facet: introduction of new singing talent. 3. Album: the making of Sajda. VI. The Godfather of ghazal: 1. 1997 onwards. 2. Facet: giving to others. Album: Samvedna. A musical glossary. Discography. Acknowledgements.
From the foreword: "The world of music would not be complete without ghazals. The world of ghazals would not be complete without Jagjit Singh. Jagjit Sigh’s contribution to the world of music is unique.
"I have had the privilege of Singing various ghazals in films under the baton of great film composers. While some of these Stalwarts passed away in the mid seventies, at the same time, the ghazal was fast becoming redundant in the kind of films made in those days.
"I would yearn to hear, if not sing, a ghazal in films, but that did not happen too often and made me wonder whether this beautiful form of poetry would now be a forgotten art.
"But then Jagjit Singh arrived on the scene and has kept the ghazal flying high till today.
"His contribution becomes all the more significant, because, at a time when melody was going away from our film music, his compositions and singing style gave us renewed hope. Even more so, the sway of Hindi cinema and its situational songs was so strong that the new arena of non-film music, created by him, brought a complete freshness to the music scene.
"There is absolutely no doubt that Jagjit Singh with his unique composing and singing style is the torchbearer of the survival of ghazals in India.
"I recall having heard about his talent from various people including the late Madan Mohan. I also recall that on Madan Bhaiyya’s anniversary, I had suggested Jagjit Singh’s name to perform on the occasion and he regaled the audience with his scintillating renditions.
"The opportunity to work together came only in the early nineties. I sang a song in the film ‘Kanoon Ki Aawaz’ under his baton – it was a simple sweet tune – a song for Karva Chauth. I wonder if the film was ever released. I also recall singing with him for the film ‘Nargis’ and some others. But of course, the album ‘Sajda’ was worth its wait.
"I have many memories of ‘Sajda’. Most of all, my ill health during those days. But Jagjit Singh preserved and always made me feel comfortable and special. Even on days when I felt that my health was not up to its mark, he would cajole me and make me believe that he was satisfied with my rendition. ‘Sajda’ took a while to complete but the enthusiasm of both Jagjit Singh’s fans and mine made me feel that it was a worthwhile effort. In fact, ‘Sajda’ is a completely different ‘Offering’ in my repertoire of albums. I am glad that it also forms a pride of place in Jagjit Singh’s collection.
"There were many requests to do a follow-up to ‘Sajda’ but I think somewhere Jagjit Singh and I both felt that it should remain a singular experience!
"During the making of ‘Sajda’ I got to know Jagjit Singh, the person, better - a great composer and singer of course, and a very warm human being with a great sense of humour.
"The personal tragedy that befell Jagjit and Chitra was devastating. But it was the artiste in Jagjit Singh that surmounted this pain – in fact I could feel his latent anguish during the making of ‘Sajda’, all of which came out in his compositions for the album and may be somewhere in my rendition as well. Indeed, together we sang and created this ‘Gham Ka Khazana’.
"His dedication to his music remained solid. It was almost as if his worship of music was being addressed in the first ghazal I sang for ‘Sajda’ – ‘Dil Mein Ab Dard-E-Mohabbat Ke Siwa Kuch Bhi Nahin, Zindagi Meri Ibadat Ke Siwa Kuch Bhi Nahin’.
"I am glad that this book will chronicle Jagjit Singh’s musical journey and elucidate his devotion to music. His fans will find this book a most interesting experience.
"I wish Jagjit Singh a long innings; to remain at the pinnacle of one’s field for a long and uninterrupted period of time is a monumental task. But he has striven for this position and I wish him all the best to be able to retain it."