This was probably the first time i was seeing a Ghazal maestro perform live. And what an experience it was. Jagjit Singh took to the stage dot on time, but he did not begin singing immediately. For the first 15 minutes, he did a sound check! 


Considering the event was happening at the open air theatre, Jagjit Singh personally checked the sound for each and every microphone, and made sure that each instrument sounded just perfect. Many people in the audience seemed quite impatient at having to wait, to hear that voice, but i really liked the way he was up-in-arms with the organisers, teaching them a lesson or two in sound check.


But despite the initial setup time, Jagjit Singh continued to engross us in his musical masterpieces one after the other for the alloted performing time. Jagjit Singh presented his ghazals, which were listened to, in pin-drop silence. The chill in the November air was just the perfect accompaniment. And you know what the best part was? The concert was absolutely free! Just kinda gave a fillip to that old cliche – the best things in life, always come free.

I was introduced to ghazals by my elder cousins who had cassettes filled with them. And although i am not a huge fan of ghazals as such, to me it meant only two people: Jagjit Singh and Pankaj Udhas.   


We lost one of them today. 


Here are some of the moments that i had captured back then. I acknowledge the poor quality, but then, for once i was more interested in the performance than photography. 

Some of my favourite Jagjit Singh ghazals:
Hoshwaalon Ko Khabar Kya
Jhunki Jhunki Si Nazaar
Hooton Se Chu Lo Tum, Mera Geet Amar Kar Do
Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho...
Koi Fariyaad

Thank you for making people like me appreciate ghazals and leaving behind an everlasting legacy. 


Take Care,
Ciao