
Basic Information:
- Full Name: Jagmohan Singh Dhiman
- Stage Name: Jagjit Singh
- Date of Birth: February 8, 1941
- Place of Birth: Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India
- Died: October 10, 2011 (aged 70), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Ghazal Singer, Composer, Music Director
- Genres: Ghazals, Classical, Devotional, Playback Singing
- Years Active: 1965–2011
Early Life & Education
Jagjit Singh was born into a Sikh family in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. His father, Amar Singh Dhiman, was a government employee, and his mother, Bachan Kaur, was a homemaker. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in music and received training in classical music under Pandit Chaganlal Sharma and Ustad Jamaal Khan.
He completed his schooling in Rajasthan and later pursued a degree in Arts from DAV College, Jalandhar. He later studied at Kurukshetra University, but his passion for music led him to Mumbai in the mid-1960s to pursue a career in playback singing.
Musical Career
Struggles & Breakthrough
Jagjit Singh struggled initially in Mumbai, performing in small concerts, composing jingles, and singing in minor film projects. His first major break came with the album “The Unforgettable” (1976), which he created with his wife, Chitra Singh. The album became a sensation, introducing a fresh and soulful style of ghazals to a wider audience.
Bollywood Career & Film Compositions
While Jagjit Singh was primarily known for non-film ghazals, he also contributed significantly to Bollywood as a music director and playback singer. Some of his notable works in Bollywood include:
1980s
- Arth (1982) – “Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar”, “Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho”
- Saath Saath (1982) – “Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayal Aaya”, “Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar”
- Prem Geet (1981) – “Hothon Se Chhulo Tum”
- Bazaar (1982) – “Dekh Lo Aaj Humko”
1990s – 2000s
- Sarfarosh (1999) – “Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya”
- Tarkeeb (2000) – “Koi Fariyaad”
- Dushman (1998) – “Chithi Na Koi Sandesh”
Jagjit Singh’s soulful voice added deep emotions to these songs, making them timeless.
Non-Film & Ghazal Albums
Jagjit Singh was a pioneer in bringing ghazals into the mainstream, making them accessible to common listeners. Some of his legendary ghazal albums include:
- The Unforgettable (1976)
- Echoes (1979)
- A Sound Affair (1985)
- Mirage (1995)
- Sajda (1991) (with Lata Mangeshkar)
- Marasim (1999) (with Gulzar)
- Beyond Time (1987)
- Someone Somewhere (1990)
His soothing voice and modern musical arrangements made ghazals popular among younger generations.
Contributions to Devotional & Patriotic Music
Jagjit Singh also sang numerous bhajans and devotional songs, including:
- “Hey Ram Hey Ram”
- “Om Namah Shivay”
- “Maa Durga Bhajan”
- “Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari”
He also sang patriotic songs, including “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” and “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna”.
Awards & Recognitions
Jagjit Singh received numerous awards and honors, including:
- Padma Bhushan (2003) – One of India’s highest civilian honors.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1998) for his contribution to ghazal music.
- Lata Mangeshkar Samman (1998) for excellence in music.
- Sahitya Kala Academy Award for his poetry and ghazals.
He was also the first Indian musician to record ghazals in digital format.
Personal Life & Tragedy
Jagjit Singh married Chitra Singh, also a renowned ghazal singer. The duo performed together and became one of the most iconic ghazal pairs.
However, in 1990, their only son Vivek Singh tragically died in a car accident. This loss deeply impacted Jagjit and Chitra Singh, and Chitra stopped singing publicly. Despite this tragedy, Jagjit Singh continued his musical journey, using his grief to create soul-stirring compositions.
Death & Legacy
On September 23, 2011, Jagjit Singh suffered a brain hemorrhage and was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. After being in a coma for over two weeks, he passed away on October 10, 2011.
Jagjit Singh left behind a vast musical legacy. His unique ability to blend classical elements with modern sounds made ghazals more accessible to the masses. Even today, his songs continue to resonate with listeners across generations.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2fuQbqtvQE&pp=ygUYIEphZ2ppdCBTaW5naCAgaW50ZXJ2aWV3