India's legendary 'ghazal king' Jagjit Singh was remembered by friends and admirers at a moving tribute held in his honour at the Haveli restaurant in Slough, west of London.
Chaman Lal Chaman, the veteran broadcaster and Secretary of the Voices of Kenya Union, who previously wrote lyrics for the great vocalist, including the hit number 'Saun Da Mahina', helped to arrange the musical bouquet in which other members of the VOKU also participated.
They included the Chair, Pritam Chaggar, popularly known for his programme Chacha Saheb, who spoke at length about the history of VOKU, and introduced a visiting artiste from India, Raj Kumar, who was brought over by VOKU patron Paul Riat and who sang some of Jagjit's memorable numbers. Vocalist Rekha, a new find from Kenya, also participated in the activities, bringing the freshness of her clear, melodious voice to her rendering of Jagjit's numbers.
Others who participated in the tribute included Mohamed Kassam, an experienced musician and composer who aptly coordinated the entire musical input and worked so hard to arrange rehearsals prior to their final production.
His efforts were supplemented by Durdana Ansari, a BBC artiste, who accompanied Raghbir Rahi and Mohan Jutley, as well as Deepak Khazanchi, who was so close to Jagjit and opened the programme with a shabad supported by a chorus of four supporting singers. Deepak is a prominent musician and a highly talented composer with a number of hit albums to his credit. He accompanied Jagjit on guitar in numerous live concerts all over the world. Another participant was Bobby Jutley, a brilliant tabla player who had the rare privilege of playing with Jagjit on a number of occasions.
Deedar Singh Pardesi also took part, along with his children, Raju, who accompanied his father, and Pinky, who sang Chitra's number, 'Charkha mera rangla.'
Asian Affairs' publisher Ajit Bhambra recalled his many years of friendship with Jagjit, describing him as 'a man of the people whose endearing personality and profound humanity captivated everyone he met, leaving them with the impression that here was a man who was one of them'.
He recalled meeting Jagjit for the first time in Kenya in the late 1960s, saying he was overwhelmed by both the man and his talent.
The two did not get to know each other properly until 1976, when they met in the UK and Jagjit launched Bhambra's new Punjabi newspaper, Sandesh International, as well as taking a keen interest in the publisher's film-making and literary activities and helping to jointly promote the cause of unity, peace and harmony through the concept of composite culture.
Back in 2003, as part of his mission to promote the ideals of composite culture, Bhambra launched a website - urdutahzeeb.net - which Jagjit supported wholeheartedly as its first patron. He also backed a series of seminars to promote the same causes, which were held in India and Britain.
Earlier this year Asian Affairs, in association with Punjabi Circle International, helped to organise a tribute to Jagjit in one of the committee rooms of the House of Commons, attended by British MPs, peers of the realm, as well as prominent NRIs and representatives of well-known non-government organisations. Jagjit personally thanked the assembled guests, saying, 'It has taken me 50 years to achieve this honour. I am sincerely grateful and deeply humbled by your kindness.'
At the tribute, Bhambra said: 'Other people will be better able to describe his musical genius but I want to remember Jagjit as a friend and fellow traveller of Indian origin who had a one-world outlook as well as a deep sense of patriotism. May his spirit rise to the heaven he deserves. He truly was a great man and a dear friend.'
Jagjit cared for his friends and their families almost as much as he cared for his own, and the tragedy of his son's death in a road accident in 1990 scarred not only him and his wife, Chitra, but all of us who shared his friendship. He became rather reclusive after that, taking comfort in music and meditation. When he re-emerged professionally and socially a few years later, he was the same man but slightly sadder. He sang gurbani (religious hymns) in his own inimitable style and touched the souls of millions.
world news in urdu and English | latest urdu news | islamic news | urdu news
