I have tried to think of a hundred ways to begin this post but couldn't reach to the conclusion as to from where should I start because I have always said that I have no regrets in life. I believe that life is the best teacher as it teaches us a lot everyday, so why to regret? Why not learn something from it rather then regretting it or brooding over it? But of late I have realized that it is easier said then done.
I am a die hard fan of Jagjit Singh as he is the one because of whom I have fallen in love with ghazals. To me he has given new dimensions to ghazals and have touched the heights of success in his career of five decades that is clearly unmatchable. I don't foresee anyone who can stay in the market for a period of five decades.
August 2011, a live program of Jagjit Singh was scheduled. My brother who is also a fan of Jagjit Singh was going to get the ticket for the show and checked with me if I was interested to join him. My wife also loves to listen to his ghazals, so I asked her if she would like to come to the show. She said we can always attend the show some other time as his live programs were organized regularly. I simply agreed with her and decided to watch the program some other time. Unfortunately, in September Jagjit Singh was hospitalized and he left this world in October 2011. I was really sad to hear about his death.
Few days after his death I was listening to music and decided to listen to ghazals of Jagjit Singh. The very first ghazal that played on my computer was:
"Huzoor aapka bhi aehteraam karta chaloon
Idhar se guzra, socha salaam karta chaloon"
and it brought tears in my eyes. I suddenly realized that the vacuum that Jagjit has created will never be filled by anyone. Moreover, there won't be any stage shows of Jagjit Singh. Why didn't I insist on that day to watch the stage show of Jagjit SIngh. I have done it many times in the past when my wife didn't want to go to a movie and I have insisted and have taken her with me. Why couldn't I do it that day? Why didn't I do it?
Well, this would be one regret of my life.
