He wanted to sing ‘Jivan maran che ek’ in city just before he fell ill.
‘Jivan maran che ek, bahu bhagyavant chu, Taari upar maru chu, tethi jivant chu’ (Life and death are synonyms; I am so fortunate that I am dying for you as that makes me immortal). These are the words that Jagjit Singh wanted to sing in the concert ‘Ankit Thi Avinash Sudhi’ – a Gujarati music programme where he was scheduled to perform on September 25.
However, due to stroke-induced health complications he could not attend the concert which would have been his last before he succumbed to illness on Monday. Ankit Trivedi, a young poet and author who has often acted as a compere for Jagjit Singh’s programmes, said, “Jagjitji, one of the most humble soul and legend of ghazal was to share a stage with another ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali in Mumbai on Se ptember 2 4 . However, when we approached him for the programme in Ahmedabad on September 25, he immediately and gladly agreed saying that he had a special association with Gujarat and especially with Ahmedabad.”
Recalling his last meeting with him, Trivedi added that Jagjitji was also to sing Laagi Ram bhajan ni laagni’, a Gujarati song composed by Ajit Merchant and written by Veni Purohit, on September 25. “Jagjitji chose to sing this song saying that this was the first Gujarati song he had sung in the initial phase of his career,” said Ankit.
Another senior musician Gaurang Vyas said, “Jagjit Singh shared a close connection with the city as he was associated with a music organization, Shruti. He had started a series of his first concerts in Ahmedabad in 1970s and 80s. And he never forgot his roots.” After 1975, Jagjitji concentrated on ghazals and popularized ghazals amongst youth of the country by adding contemporary music to the form. His contribution to the music is unique.
Pathiv Gohil, who had organized Jagjit Singh’s ‘Gajal Simfni’ in the city in December last year, said, “The series of this unique programme was started from Ahmedabad as Jagjitji felt that the city was the first one that gave him love and the moral boost that he needed in the initial phase of his career.” This was his last big concert in Ahmedabad.
