In Remembrance of Jagjit Singh

I have never written a note in remembrance of anybody. But I owe this one to Jagjit Sir, a master of Ghazal music in his own right. Whenever somebody asked me what kind of music I liked most and who my favourite singer was, I would say Ghazals and Jagjit Singh without thinking twice.

Many of us, including me, find music an immense source of solace and peace, especially during our happiest and most difficult of times. I remember the time when I was a teenager and had my first crush. "Hosh walon ko khabar kya" by Jagjit Sir always put a smile on my face, no matter how often I listened to it. And then the time in college when I was going through one of the most emotionally taxing phases of my life. "Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho" and "kahin door(adaptation by Jagjit Sir of the original number from Anand)" helped me find peace when it was most scarce. Even today, there is hardly a week that goes by without listening to his songs. In some ways, his music has helped shape part of who I am today.

Music is a source of inspiration in our lives. But it takes a gifted musician like Jagjit Sir to make one realize that. I always thought I would some day go to one of his live performances. But I cldn't for one reason or the other. Now, I would be lying if I say I am deeply saddened by his death. I didn't know him personally and so I will not dare to pretend that I am anywhere as sad as his family or friends are right now.

But I will certainly miss him. Rest in peace Jagjit Sir.

Stranger in Madison

It’s been a couple of weeks since I arrived in the United States, Madison, the capital of the state of Wisconsin and home to the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin, to be specific. I would be lying if I say that I did not know what to expect since I have already been to the US before, as a tourist. But it is very different being a resident; it feels different. As a tourist, I always had that sense of hurry in my steps, trying to maximize the “throughput” – the number of “touristy” places covered in a given amount of time. Being a resident brings a sense of calmness, that ability to walk along any random street not caring where it might lead you, well, at least as long as you have a GPS to accompany you.

The other day I was walking on the lakeshore path along lake Mendota, past the undergrad dorms and the UW hospitals until darkness had its way and I had to cut my journey short. I was intending to walk until the university housing – Eagle Heights. It was very beautiful, to say the least. Well, it might get too boring walking alone too often. But I plan to do it at least once a month. It offers a wonderful setting for self-introspection, something which I value very much. Most of my friends must be wondering why I haven’t uploaded pictures of the city yet. Well, it’s just that I don’t want to act like a tourist in my home; yes, this place might be my home for the next few years.

I find Americans quite friendly. Many of them greet me while walking on the streets, well, not in the University area, but at those random residential quarters I wander to every now and then. They may not really mean it, but it is a nice habit, makes one feel glad. I hope to be able to make some American friends in this city. It might take a while given my shy demeanor. But I will try.

There are some challenges ahead of me. The word “funding” might sum it up. All in all, I have had a great fortnight at Madison, something I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.