Baadshah of Ghazal’s Jagjit Singh’s visit to PhoenixAuthor : Azindia Correspondent
Our side of the story.
Jagjit meaning “Jagg jeet liya ho ” (World conqueror) needs no introduction
‘The Legend Live in concert tour’ was performed to a packed audience at the Orpheum theatre in phoenix, on the eve of Thanksgiving on 25th. When Manish Gupta & AZIndia formed an alliance to bring the Ghazal maestro to phoenix, there were no doubts that this would be anything but a success, and Jagjit Singh the Legend confirmed this as he greeted the audience and broke the silence of tha auditorium by feeding the hungry audience with his popular ghazals.
What followed was almost three hours of musical marvel, as he sang one famous ghazal after another, hardly pausing, even between songs as he made the trademark effortless transition from one ghazal to the next. All this, while the entertainer commanded the audience's rapt attention, who sang-along some of those immortal Urdu lyrics, applauding as he delivered one song after another.Theevening included -Honthon se chhoo lo tum, chitti na koi sandes,mirza ghalib,tum itna jo muskura rahen ho, Hazaron khwaishe hai aisi, Woh kagaz ki kashtti
Over the years, like all other genres, ghazals have also undergone change. However, Jagjit’s signature style continues to rule the heart of connoisseurs and commoners alike. Be it the emotion like love or a painful feeling of loneliness, ghazals gives a melodious or melancholy touch to every emotion.
He is an entertainer, not just on stage, but off it, as he punctuates his conversation with humour, which can tend to be on the wrong side at times, but makes up for it with the class with which he delivers it.
AZIndia team was fortunate to meet Jagjitji up close during his stay; the first thing that strikes you is the impression of a hearty person, who answers questions, not with the political correctness of a diplomat, but with the markedly carefree manner of one who speaks his mind. In one of the conversation he mentioned "When I used to come to US earlier, I would sing in small mehfils now I get to sing in big venues. But, people enjoy music just the same."
However, talking about music in Bollywood and the shortage of ghazals there, he scoffs with a sharp remark, "Those people don't have any background in ghazals, or in the literature of classical music, They just know how to steal and make music."
On an emotional note, the maestro explains that doing justice to any art is the sole responsibility of the artiste and this would happen only when one puts in heart and soul into it.The man who has dedicated a lifetime to music is a thorough optimist about the future and popularity of ghazals, "It's not true that ghazals or classical music have depleting audiences. My fans range across all age groups. Even young people love to listen to ghazals,". Well said!!!
So here goes our Thanksgiving Dinner with Maestro of Ghazal…
"The event was a great success and it would not have been possible without you all. We at AZIndia along with Manish Gupta are overwhelmed by the positive feedback we received via all the wonderful e-mails and calls. Yes, as everyone requested we will do our best to bring this kind of entertainment LIVE in Arizona instead of making you all watch on various media outlets (you tube etc..)."
For those who missed .. on tube