Ghazal legend Jagjit Singh remembered
Auckland’s Kiwi Indians got together on Tuesday evening this week to pay tribute to India’s Ghazal legend Jagjit Singh, who passed away last week after a brief illness.
The maestro had performed in New Zealand several times in the past two decades. His last visit was in April this year, where he regaled a tightly packed Civic Theatre in downtown Auckland.
Several of his ardent fans that attended the prayer meet shared their experiences and memories with the maestro and his music, after the chanting of prayers. They also signed a condolence book.
National Party Member of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said artistes like Jagjit Singh could not be replaced; he was unique. Though Ghazals were not a new genre, it was Jagjit Singh who first popularised them in the 1970s, he said. On a personal note he narrated an incident that highlighted the deeply philanthropic aspect of the maestro’s personality.
Kiwi Pakistani leader, Mohammed Tauqir Khan, JP, QSM, spoke eloquently of his encounters with the maestro and also of his concerts in Pakistan. He also narrated a few incidents of the Ghazal King’s generosity – once having donated the entire proceeds of a concert tour to an ailing Ghazal maestro of Pakistan.
Indian Weekender publisher Giri Gupta recalled the maestro’s down to earth personality, saying he made everybody around him comfortable and had no airs about himself.
Ram Iyer of the Cultural Forum of India, one of the organisers of the prayer meet along with ABC Entertainment said, “The body is gone, but the soul will remain immortal. Jag ko jeet ne wale Jagjit Singhji, we are missing you.”
Mr Iyer was closely associated with Mr Singh’s New Zealand visits and was instrumental in organising the maestros' latest tour to New Zealand for ABC Entertainment, which was a tremendous success.
“For me it was a experience that I will never forget throughout my life, such a quiet and down to earth person, never demanding, no tantrums – in fact it was a good feeling all through managing the event,” Mr Iyer told Indian Weekender.
“I also had the privilege of being taken along to Sydney and Melbourne and all though here and in Australia he would always callout for me and check. The parting gift which he gave me was a personally autographed 10 CD set which was released on his 70th birthday consisting of 70 of his best songs, ghazals and bhajans.”
ABC Entertainment’s Malik Farishta also spoke at the event, recalling the maestro’s latest visit, which was part of his world tour on reaching the 70th year of his life. Little had anyone imagined that it would be his last.
The meet was held at the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. Hemant Parekh compered the proceedings, while also sharing his personal experiences with the maestro.
Auckland’s Kiwi Indians got together on Tuesday evening this week to pay tribute to India’s Ghazal legend Jagjit Singh, who passed away last week after a brief illness.
The maestro had performed in New Zealand several times in the past two decades. His last visit was in April this year, where he...
Auckland’s Kiwi Indians got together on Tuesday evening this week to pay tribute to India’s Ghazal legend Jagjit Singh, who passed away last week after a brief illness.
The maestro had performed in New Zealand several times in the past two decades. His last visit was in April this year, where he regaled a tightly packed Civic Theatre in downtown Auckland.
Several of his ardent fans that attended the prayer meet shared their experiences and memories with the maestro and his music, after the chanting of prayers. They also signed a condolence book.
National Party Member of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said artistes like Jagjit Singh could not be replaced; he was unique. Though Ghazals were not a new genre, it was Jagjit Singh who first popularised them in the 1970s, he said. On a personal note he narrated an incident that highlighted the deeply philanthropic aspect of the maestro’s personality.
Kiwi Pakistani leader, Mohammed Tauqir Khan, JP, QSM, spoke eloquently of his encounters with the maestro and also of his concerts in Pakistan. He also narrated a few incidents of the Ghazal King’s generosity – once having donated the entire proceeds of a concert tour to an ailing Ghazal maestro of Pakistan.
Indian Weekender publisher Giri Gupta recalled the maestro’s down to earth personality, saying he made everybody around him comfortable and had no airs about himself.
Ram Iyer of the Cultural Forum of India, one of the organisers of the prayer meet along with ABC Entertainment said, “The body is gone, but the soul will remain immortal. Jag ko jeet ne wale Jagjit Singhji, we are missing you.”
Mr Iyer was closely associated with Mr Singh’s New Zealand visits and was instrumental in organising the maestros' latest tour to New Zealand for ABC Entertainment, which was a tremendous success.
“For me it was a experience that I will never forget throughout my life, such a quiet and down to earth person, never demanding, no tantrums – in fact it was a good feeling all through managing the event,” Mr Iyer told Indian Weekender.
“I also had the privilege of being taken along to Sydney and Melbourne and all though here and in Australia he would always callout for me and check. The parting gift which he gave me was a personally autographed 10 CD set which was released on his 70th birthday consisting of 70 of his best songs, ghazals and bhajans.”
ABC Entertainment’s Malik Farishta also spoke at the event, recalling the maestro’s latest visit, which was part of his world tour on reaching the 70th year of his life. Little had anyone imagined that it would be his last.
The meet was held at the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. Hemant Parekh compered the proceedings, while also sharing his personal experiences with the maestro.
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