Jagjit Singh
By Ramesh Mathew

Fans of Indian ghazal king Jagjit Singh paid rich tributes to the singer who died in Mumbai yesterday aged 70.
Terming Singh’s death as “a big tragedy and irreparable”, senior Indian community member M S Bukhari said it would make the sub-continent’s music scenario “poorer in the coming years”.
“I have been a great follower of Singh’s compositions and many of his musical albums are in my possession,” he said. Bukhari also recalled bringing some of Jagjit Singh’s albums with him when he arrived in Doha for the first time in the early ‘80s.
Paying glowing tributes to the musical genius, Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) joint secretary Usha Ravishankar said: “Singh sang from his soul and had done a lot to promote Indian culture and traditions at all his music concerts”. The music lover, who had the fortune of compering a show featuring Singh in early ‘90s in New Delhi, said it was doubtful any other singer respected and motivated their orchestra players like Singh did during his concerts.
“I always considered myself lucky for having anchored a concert featuring such an illustrious singer as Jagjit Singh in his heydays,” Usha recalled. 
Indian businessman and main patron of the Music Lovers Group Ganesh Srinivasan termed Singh as “not only an incomparable singer of the period but also a thorough gentleman who respected everyone who he met around.
Srinivasan said he always loved listening to Singh’s  ghazals, especially when he was alone. “His songs and musical compositions have a remarkable appeal,” said Srinivasan, who also recollected attending one of his concerts in Doha several years ago.
“Singh was one of my favourite ghazal singers and his untimely death leaves musical lovers like me in profound grief,” said North Indian Association president and music buff Harish Kanjani.
Kanjani also recalled his special liking for Singh’s well-known ghazal “Yeh daulat bhi le lo, yeh shurrat bhi le lo, magar mujh ko lauta do wo bachpan ka sawan..who kagaz ki kashti wo baarish ka pani.” The music lover also felt “this legend has no substitute but himself”. Kanjani, whose family has a huge collection of more than 60,000 songs, said he had with him most of Singh’s albums.
The image imprinted by Singh through his exceptional singing caliber with his gifted voice will remain indelibly eternal in the ghazal world, he said.
Bangiya Parishad president Animesh Sarkar described Singh’s death as “a big setback to Indian music”. Sarkar said his forum had once contacted Singh to host a concert in Doha but he expressed his inability owing to his busy schedule. “However, he told us to remain in touch with him,” said Sarkar.
Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association (KMCA) Syed Abdul Hye termed Singh’s death as a “terrible loss to the world of Urdu”.  “His voice and ghazal-singing talent contributed considerably to the ghazal world.  Many poets became overnight celebrities after Singh sang their verses in his melodious voice. He left behind his indelible imprints forever,” he said.
Hye said more than 15 years ago while he was on a business meeting in Doha, he came across a woman who wanted to know more about India. “During the conversation, she told me that she was a die-hard fan of Jagjit Singh. “Though she said she never understood Urdu, she loved his songs well. “Whenever I was exhausted, I would close my eyes and listen to Singh’s songs.  His voice has such a soothing effect”, Hye said quoting the woman’s words. Hye said he was totally surprised when he learnt that she had memorised a couple of Singh’s ghazals, without understanding a single word!
Nazakat Ali, President Punjab Music Group, a prominent Pakistani forum, said he was saddened on the death of “King of ghazals”. Singh is a great name in the music world, and is greatly respected any where among the music lovers, he said. “We have lost a great singer and master musician. He will always be remembered through his collections and creative works,” said Khan.
Janan Bangash, Pakistani Pakhtoon event organiser, said: “It’s a sad day for music lovers. Jagjit Singh will always remain amar (alive) through his magnificent music and the quality of poetic selections. He was indeed an all rounder in music world.”
Mohamed Riaz, a project manager in the Saudi Cables  and an avowed  music lover, said  Jagjit  had ruled the world of ghazal-singing close to four decades. “He will be remembered always through his extraordinary singing and composing skills. Music has no boundaries and such great singers will remain forever in  the hearts of the music lovers everywhere,” he said. (With inputs from Ashraf Siddique)
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