Ghazals are a soothing balm when feeling down or just if you are in ’’a mood to feel melancholic’’ (I’m guessing most guys might not be able to identify with the latter part ;) (?!))
Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Uddhas, Bhupinder, Mitali Singh, Peenaaz Masani, Anup Jalota, Chitra Singh, Ashok Khosla, Nina and Rajendra Mehta, Talat Mehmood, Hariharan, Ghulam Ali and so many more...
Sometimes it feels like.. everyone should know Hindi/Urdu just so that they can understand and appreciate Ghazals... especially those sung by Jagjit Singh!
He has a rare lilt in his voice, a silken touch, a special something - which makes him stand out in the world of ghazal singers. According to him, it is brought about by rigid training and (voice) culture. When listening to him singing, you get the feeling that ’’ohhhhhhh! how does this man know exactly what emotion I am going through’’ - its just amazing the way he captures that feeling in his ghazals, his voice...
Some of his best ghazals that I like (I am sure I will be missing out on many, as I do not have that large a collection of his, I admit)
This is my compilation of likings from ’’The Golden Collection’’ series - ’’Film hits: Jagjit and Chitra Singh’’ (also added a few others which I like) The album is a set of 2 cassettes (also used to be available on CD)
Hothon se choo lo tum,
mera geet amar kar do (Jagjit Singh)
- A romantic number with a sad edge to it, an all-time favourite
(Film: Prem Geet, Lyrics: Indeewar)
Tum Itna jo muskura rahe ho
kya gham hai jis ko chhupa rahe ho (Jagjit Singh)
- A soulful number, an observant take-off on the beloved
(Film: Arth, Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi)
Tum ko dekha to ye khayal aaya
Zindagi dhoop, tum ghana saaya (Jagjit and Chitra Singh)
- One of their best ghazals! Giving hope, soothing and soul-stirring.. (just these two lines are enough to give you goose-bumps!)
(Film: Saath Saath, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar)
Woh Kaagaz ki kashti (Jagjit Singh)
- Moody, reflective, nostalgic
(Film: Aaj, Lyrics: Sudarshan Faaqir)
Yeh bata de mujhe zindagi (Jagjit and Chitra Singh)
- Self-pitying and mournful, but beautiful
(Film: Saath Saath, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar)
Yun zindagi ki raah mein, majboor ho gaye (Chitra Singh)
- Sad and melancholic number, very good rendition
(Film: Saath Saath, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar)
Yeh tera ghar, ye mera ghar (Jagjit and Chitra Singh)
(Film: Saath Saath, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar)
Jhuki jhuki si nazar (Jagjit Singh)
(Film: Arth, Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi)
Rishtaa yeh kaisa hai (Chitra Singh)
(Film: Aaj, Lyrics: Madanpal)
Koi ye kaise bataaye (Jagjit Singh)
(Film: Arth, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar)
Pyar mujh se jo kiya tumne to kya paaogi (Jagjit Singh)
- Questioning with humbleness
(Film: Saath Saath, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar)
(p.s.: there are more in this 2-cassette album, I’ve listed the ones that are close to my heart)
Appendix:
Some others I like (all sung by Jagjit Singh (non-film))
Tere Baare mein jab socha nain tha
Main tanha tha magar, itna nahin tha
(Album: Saher, Lyrics: Meraj)
Yeh jo zindagi ki kitaab hai
Yeh kitaab bhi kya kitaab hai
- Philosophical, melodious and soulful
(Album: Saher, Lyrics: Rajesh Reddy)
Yaad nahin, kya kya dekha tha,
saare manzar bool gaye
- Commenting on how love makes one lose everything
(Album: Saher, Lyrics: Nazir Baqari)
Badi haseen raat thi
(Album: The Latest, Lyrics: Sudarshan Faaqir)
Most of the film hits are all-time favourites (that is why they appear on the list anyways). Just goes to prove the range and repertoire of Jagjit Singh, ghazal singer par excellence!