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.