'The harmonium is silent': On Jagjit Singh’s 8th death anniversary, tributes pour in
Twitterati remembered the ghazal singer and his evocative songs.
By ET Online | Updated:
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Tributes pour in for music maestro Jagjit Singh.
NEW DELHI: In a world which is now ruled by electronic dance music and remixes of various songs, the legacy of Jagjit Singh still remains alive. Eight years after his death, fans on Twitter remembered the singer and his soulful renditions.
From colleagues to former CMs, Twitterati shared their memories of the ghazal king and wrote how his songs - that were themed on love, loss, separation - had shaped their views on life.
Born as Jagmohan Singh Dhiman in Sri Ganganagar, he rose to prominence with his angst-filled ghazals for Hindi films in the '80s. Over the years, he, along with his singer wife Chitra Singh, continued to regale millions, bringing to life Urdu poetry and lyrics. In a career spanning four decades and over 40 albums, he charmed Indians at home, and abroad with Hotho Se Jo Choolo Tum and Chitti Na Koi Sandesh.
While Anup Jalota (right) posted a video of Jagjit Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan (left) made a faux pas by wishing Jagjit Singh a happy birth anniversary. Singer Anup Jalota, who has collaborated with Singh on a few albums, mourned the loss. Remembering his one-time colleague, Jalota wrote that the pain of his voice still echoes in his ears. He said, ‘the harmonium is silent’ and that there will never be another singer like him.
बहुत याद आते हो जगजीत जी !!! मखमली आवाज के धनी जगजीत सिंहजी अब हमारे बीच नहीं हैं! लेकिन, उनकी आवाज की खनक और दर्द… https://t.co/p7opa6Mbfk
All India Radio, which once played Jagjit Singh’s songs on loop, also paid tribute, invoking the lyrics from one of his famous songs.
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'तुमको देखा तो ये ख़्याल आया ज़िन्दगी धूप तुम घना साया'.... With a combination of intense words & soothing voice… https://t.co/1Nj85JXFJQ
— ALL INDIA RADIO (@AkashvaniAIR) 1570680237000
Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, recalled the singer's contribution to ghazals in India and how he "took it to new heights." In an apparent mix-up, the senior BJP leader wished the maestro on his birth anniversary.
अपनी मखमली आवाज़ से ग़ज़लों को एक नई ऊंचाई देने वाले ग़ज़ल गायक स्व. #JagjitSingh को जन्मदिवस पर नमन! संगीत जगत को… https://t.co/Ak4M3qTUH4
Music, Love & More: A Tribute To India's Melody Maestro RD Burman On 80th Birth Anniversary
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The late Rahul Dev Burman, or Pancham Da as he was fondly known, would have turned 79 today. A celebrated music composer, he changed the sound of music in Indian cinema, leaving behind a rich legacy for generations to come.
A creative genius, Burman introduced influences from around the world in his works, giving us masterpieces like 'Aaja Piya Tohe Pyaar Du' and 'Rim Jhim Gire Sawan'.
So, on his birth anniversary as we hum to 'Aane Wala Pal Jane Wala Hai', even years later, here's taking a walk down memory lane.
The late Rahul Dev Burman, or Pancham Da as he was fondly known, would have turned 79 today. A celebrated music composer, he changed the sound of music in Indian cinema, leaving behind a rich legac..
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Pancham Da entered the music industry in the 1950s, with the weight of being the legendary Sachin Dev Burman's son. But it wasn't long before he stopped being known as his son, and carved a niche of his own.
In Pic: RD Burman (left) working with his father, the well-known Bollywood and Bengali composer-singer Sachin Dev Burman at a studio in Mumbai on April 15, 1965.
Pancham Da entered the music industry in the 1950s, with the weight of being the legendary Sachin Dev Burman's son. But it wasn't long before he stopped being known as his son, and carved a niche of ..
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Before becoming a part of the B-town, Burman pursued his education in West Bengal. Inheriting the music gene from his father, Burman penned his first song at the age of 9 itself. His father used the composition, 'Aye meri topi palat ke aa', in the 1956 film 'Funtoosh'. The 'Sar jo tera chakraaye' tune was also a creation of his young years.
(In pic: RD Burman captured by a during some rehearsals in Bombay.)
Before becoming a part of the B-town, Burman pursued his education in West Bengal. Inheriting the music gene from his father, Burman penned his first song at the age of 9 itself. His father used the ..
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With Kishore Kumar, it was a musical match made in heaven. The duo collaborated on more than 30 films which belted numerous hit numbers. From soulful romantic songs to peppy, foot-tapping numbers, the duo had covered it all.
In pic: Playback singers Kishore Kumar (left) and Asha Bhosle with R D Burman in Bombay during 1986. It was the same year that the Kumar and Burman gave the world the super-hit 'Ek Main Aur Ek Tu'.
With Kishore Kumar, it was a musical match made in heaven. The duo collaborated on more than 30 films which belted numerous hit numbers. From soulful romantic songs to peppy, foot-tapping numbers, th..
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RD Burman and Asha Bhosle's love story brought together two of the biggest musical wonders of their time. The maestros met after having suffered the brunt of unsuccessful marriages. Bhonsle had eloped with Ganpatrao Bhonsle at the age of 16, and Burman had been married to Rita Patel.
The two fell in love and tied the knot in 1980.
In pic: Pop singer Boy George (centre) with Asha Bhosle and RD Burman (right), at the Sahar airport in Bombay on August 01, 1990.
RD Burman and Asha Bhosle's love story brought together two of the biggest musical wonders of their time. The maestros met after having suffered the brunt of unsuccessful marriages. Bhonsle had elope..
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RD had a stellar equation with fellow Bengali and acclaimed film-maker Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The musician brought to life super-hit films like 'Golmaal', 'Namak Haram', 'Khoobsurat' and 'Naram Garam'. Together, they worked in 11 films, and each film is a musical ode.
In pic: (Left to right) Lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, music director RD Burman, playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, and filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee during a pre-recording session at a studio in Mumbai on January 15, 1972.
RD had a stellar equation with fellow Bengali and acclaimed film-maker Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The musician brought to life super-hit films like 'Golmaal', 'Namak Haram', 'Khoobsurat' and 'Naram Garam'..
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Burman often took inspiration from Western dance music. One of his compositions which took leads from Western beats was 'Aao twist karein' from 'Bhoot Bangla' were inspired by 'Chubby Checker' song 'Let's twist again'. Another example was the song 'Tumse Milke' which was inspired by soothing music of Leo Sayer's 'When I Need You'. On some occassions, it resulted in allegations of plagiarism. Nevertheless, his foot-tapping compositions like 'Jahan teri yeh nazar hai', inspired by Persian artist Zia Atabi's 'Heleh maali', continue to be on people's playlists even today.
(In pic: Asha Bhosle (second right) and music composer RD Burman (second left) with pop singers Mike Nichols (behind Asha), Stephen (first right) and Boy George (third right) pose for a group photo in Bombay in 1990.)
Burman often took inspiration from Western dance music. One of his compositions which took leads from Western beats was 'Aao twist karein' from 'Bhoot Bangla' were inspired by 'Chubby Checker' song '..
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Burman's penchant for using natural, foley-inspired techniques transformed as unusual songs and sounds depicted on screen. In 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne', from Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), the spoon-on-glass sound heard in the beginning is an actual recording of a glass being struck by a spoon.
In pic: RD Burman flanked by noted filmmaker Nasir Hussain (left), lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and playback singer Shailendra Singh (right) during a pre-recording session at a studio in Mumbai on April 7, 1983.
Burman's penchant for using natural, foley-inspired techniques transformed as unusual songs and sounds depicted on screen. In 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne', from Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), the spoon-on-glass..
