There’s music that you listen to…and forget.
There’s music that you listen to …and remember…
And there’s music that you listen to…and Live.
“Best” is a rather relative term, so I’d simplify it by saying, of a higher and improved quality compared to the norm. For example, when talking of a Bollywood Star, the name of Amitabh Bachchan or Shahrukh Khan pops up, while discussing computers, Microsoft is the common term and when analysing the fast-food industry, McDonalds is at the absolute top! In the same way, when speaking of Ghazals, one name is not far from people’s thinking…Jagjit Singh.
I believe an artist of Jagjit Singh’s calibre does not need an introduction, but just for the purpose of a ritual, I would say that with his truly enchanting voice, he modernised and commercialised Ghazals and gave them the mass appeal that they so desperately deserved! His genre of music is unique in the sense that it offers the listener with a complete package…marvellous and very soothing music, teamed with profound yet simple lyrics, expressed in a deep and soul-catching voice. I can continue my endless praise and admiration for Jagjit Singh’s style of singing and music, but for the sake of not turning this into a monotonous rant, I’d suggest we move on and introduce the countdown of gems, which in my humble opinion are The Five Best Ghazals of Jagjit Singh.
Gem Number 5: *Zindagi yun hui basar tanha
Album: Marasim – Memories Woven in Melody(1999)
Special Note: All lyrics in this album are penned by Gulzar, brilliantly at that! The voice of Jagjit Singh just brings life to the words making them sound even more realistic and heart-wrenching!
- Zindagi Yoon Huyi Basar Tanha
Kaafila Saath Aur Safar Tanha.
Apne Saaye Se Chaunk Jaate Hain
Umr Guzri Hai Is Kadar Tanha
In true Jagjit Singh trademark style, the Ghazal starts with a calming prelude, which immediately sets the listener into the relaxed and sombre mood of the ghazal, then moves into a placid melody, which maintains if eased pattern throughout. Then begin the words, which unravel the feeling of loneliness and the ultimate realisation of being alone with just an overwhelming silence that captures every moment of seclusion and alleviates it by several notches. In the midst of crowds, the sense of being alone still prevails and living alone becomes a forced habit. Silence makes rude and hurting noises, which pierce the solitude, making it an excruciating and unfruitful longing…
Gem Number 4:* Dhuan Uttha Hai
Album: Leela(2002)
Special Note: I believe, the music was the soul of this movie, without which it would have been an bungling affair! Personally, this particular song is really inspirational for me, and always acts like medicine in my low days. The song could be categorised as a sad one, but it does leave a ray of hope towards the end.
Har Ek Roz Naya Asmaan Khulta Hai,
Khabar Nai Hai Kal Din Ka Rang Kya Hoga,
Palak Se Pani Gira Hai To Girne Do,
Koi Purani Tamanna Pighal Rahi Hogi.
The first note itself screams of pain. A sense of impending doom hits the listener with the heavy bass and the deep and low notes, which I think suits Jagjit Singh’s voice best. There’s a cry of pain that can be heard, in the words and their meaning. There’s a feeling of stinging helplessness and a mystified urgency to make a decision. There are paths to choose, yet the destination keeps changing its course. In spite of all that, there’s always a new tomorrow, which is unveiled for one and all. As the melody concludes it thrusts a hope into the feeling of gloom saying that its best to forget the past and experience rainbow that the morrow has to offer.
Gem Number 3: *Tera Chehra
Album: Unique(1996)
Special Note: I searched for this song for ten years! Had listened to it when I was around 9 and it just kept haunting me for all these years. If it can make me look for the ghazal for a decade, you can just imagine how marvellously captivating it actually is! I cannot even express what this melody means to me…so I’m going to try my best here…
Ps: This is probably the “happiest' song featured in this list.
Tera Chehra Kitna Suhaana Lagta Hai
Tere Aage Chaand Puraana Lagta Hai.
Aag Ka Kya Pal-do-pal Mein Lagti Hai
Bujhte Bujhte Ek Zamaana Lagta Hai.
A soft sitar and pleasing beat carry the listener into a mellow middle-paced tune, which captures the emotions of inexplicable love so beautifully. Jagjit Singh sweeps the emotions in his charismatic voice and spills them out like pearls on satin covered ground. The beauty of that one person is so exceptional, that universal symbols of beauty like the moon and roses seem to pale in comparison. The spark that’s once lit, lives for a lifetime! The cheer brilliance of this ghazal is in the simplicity and the fact that any person who has ever cherished or loved someone can relate to each and every word of it!
Gem Number 2:* Koi yeh kaise
Album: Arth(1982)
Special Note: This is predictably the most well known film album of Jagjit Singh, with each and every ghazal radiating brilliancy! The melodious songs just add the extra appeal to the excellent movie. This song in particular was also very well picturised, and the singer’s voice suits the actor( Raj Kiran) to perfection!
- Ik Zara Haath Badha Den To Pakad Le Daaman
Uske Seene Mein Sama Jaaye Hamari Dhadkan
Itni Kurbat Hai To Phir Faaslaa Itna Kyoon Hai
A soft strumming guitar greets you and engulfs you into an entangle of love and the questions accompanied with love. Jagjit Singh’s voice sounds young and has incredible depth. The words are really quite simple and just a set of intriguing questions, but the way the singer portrays each and every emotion calls for acclaim! The words entwine into a doubtful phase of fondness when a person is not sure about the outcome of love and questions the path and destiny it will eventually have. Even though there is a magical attraction, the distances remain, and a feeling of questioning without a tangible solution fills the air.
Gem Number1:*Hazaron khwahishen aisi
Album: Mirza Ghalib(re-released 2004)
Special Note: This is by Far the best(in its relative and absolute sense) ghazal that I’ve ever heard in my life! Of course, when the master of Urdu Poetry, Mirza Ghalib, writes lyrics there is little to debate! This album was tuned for the serial based on the poet’s life, and was directed by Gulzar.
Mohabbat Mein Nahin Hai,
Fark jeene aur marne ka,
Usi ko dekh kar jeete hain,
Jis kaafir pe dam nikle…
It reeks of emotions, it cries of the deepest sentiments that man can feel and practically haunts you with words that slide in and out of your soul leaving the fragnance of brilliance behind! Yet again, Jagjit Singh needs to be applauded for the expressions he gives through his voice. The music is sombre and there is emphasis mostly on the vocals, which literally come into life with a voice so intense. The words describe the pain, which is inseparable with love, and delve most deeply into the complications of an unreachable jewel.
