Legendary Ghazal King Jagjit Singh was born on 8th of February 1941 and sadly demise on 10th of October 2011. He gained applause together with his wife, who is one more well-known Indian Ghazal singer Chitra Singh, in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Recently a few his friends have celebrated the birthday of the Ghazal king Jagjit Singh, on 8th of February 2012, and thus to give a mark of respect to him we present the top 10 ghazals sung by him.
1. Aankhon Mein Jal Raha Hai Kyuun
This Ghazal is from the 1999 album 'Marasim'. The lyrics of this ghazal have been written by Gulzar and strikingly sung by Jagjit Singh.
Aankhon mein jal rahaa hai kyuun bujhataa nahiin dhuuan, Uthataa to hai ghataa saa barasataa nahiin dhuaan…
2. Ae Khuda Ret Ke Sehre Ko
‘Ae Khuda Ret Ke Sehre Ko’ is from the album 'A Sound Affair'. Jagjit Singh not only had rendered the ghazal but was as well the music director of it. The ghazal was highly praised for the appliance of flute and santoor in the music arrangement.
Ae khuda ret ke sehra ko samandar kar de, Ya chhalakti aankhon ko bhi patthar kar de…
3. Aap Aaye Janab
‘Aap Aaye Janad’ is a striking ghazal sung by Jagjit Singh from the album Jeevan Kya Hai which was released in the year of 2005. It discusses in relation to a meeting with a beloved one after a hiatus.
Aap aaye janaab baraso mein, Ham ne pi hai sharaab baraso mein, Phir se dil ki kali khili apani, Phir se dekha shabaab baraso mein…
4. Baazeechaa-e-atfaal hai duniya
‘Baazeechaa-e-atfaal hai duniya mere aage' was a different ghazal which used in the television serial 'Mirza Ghalib', directed by lyricist Gulzar. Jagjit Singh's role in the course of his ghazals in the direction of the serial was something extraordinary. He is well-known to have achieved much fame from the television serial 'Mirza Ghalib', which he believes as one of his first stepping stones towards the title of King of Ghazal.
Baazeechaa-e-atfaal hai duniya mere aage, Hota hai shab-o-roz tamaasha mere aage…
5. Daastaan-e-Gam-e-dil unko sunaaee
‘Daastaan-e-Gam-e-dil unko sunaaee na gayi' is from the 1973 album 'Magic Moments'. The melody of this ghazal has been composed by Jagjit Singh himself, and the lyrics have been written by Jigar Maroadabadi. Interestingly, this work of art was initially offered next to with the works of Edvard Munch, who was a Norwegian painter.
Daastaan-e-Gam-e-dil unko sunaaee na gaee, Baat biga.Dii thii kuchh aisii ki banaaee na gaee…
6. Dhoop Mein Niklo
Penned down by Nida Fazli, ‘Dhoop Mein Niklo Ghataaon Mein Nahakar Dekho' stays behind as one of finest Jagjit Singh's ghazals. This ghazal is one from the album 'Sajda'.
Dhoop mein niklo ghataaon mein naha kar dekho, Zindagee kya hai kitaabon ko hataakar dekho…
7. Hazaaron Khvaahishen Aisi
Released in 1988, this master piece ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi' was delivered by the maestro Jagjit Singh for the album 'Mirza Ghalib'. The lyrics are certified to Mirza Ghalib and the ghazal was made use for the television serial 'Mirza Ghalib'.
Hazaaron Khvaahishen aisi ki har Khvaaish pe dam nikale, Bahut nikale mere armaan lekin phir bhii kam nikale…
8. Kisi ka yoon toh hua
‘Kisi ka yoon toh hua kaun umar bhar phir bhi' was composed and sung by Jagjit Singh and was showed in Ali Sardar Jafri's 'Kahkashan'. The lyrics of this ghazal were penned down by Firaq Gorakhpuri.
Kisi ka yoon toh hua kaun umar bhar fir bhi, Ye husn-o-ishq to dhokha hai sab magar fir bhi, Nazaar baar zamaana idhar se guzra hai, Nayee nayee si hai kuch teri reh-guzar fir bhi…
9. Kisko qaatil main kahoon
‘Kisko qaatil main kahoon’ was a Ghazal penned down by Jagjit Singh himself. He pleasured himself in having the intensity to learn skilfully the Urdu language, and indeed he had done master in it. He was a one-man army who did not just sing, but as well directed most of his music and as well penned down many.
Kisko qaatil main kahoon kisko maseehaa samajhoon, Sab yahaan dost hee baithe hain kise kya samajhoon…
10. Na Keh Saki Bahar
This is one of the Jagjit Singh’s much well-liked ghazals. Na Keh Saki Bahar was a piece of Jagjit Singh's album named as 'Visions', which was released all over in the year of 1995. After hearing this track, Jagjit's emotional and expressive version leaves you for demanding more and more.
Na keh saaqi bahaar aane ke din hain, Zigar ke daag chil jaane ke din hain…
Few awards felicitated to Jagjit Singh
In 2003, Singh was honoured with the respected Padma Bhushan, as India's third highest civilian award, by the Government of India.
In 1998, Jagjit Singh was rewarded with Sahitya Academy Award, which is known as a literary honour in India. He was rewarded this literary honour for making popular the work of ‘Mirza Ghalib’.
Sangeet Natak Academy Award.
Sahitya Kala Academy Award by Rajasthan Government in 1998.
Ghalib Academy by Delhi Government in 2005.
Dayavati Modi Award.
Lata Mangeshkar Samman in 1998 by Madhya Pradesh Government.
D. Litt. by Kurukshetra University, Haryana in 2003.
