Life Story Of A Legend-Jagjit Singh

Jagjit Singh, (ghazal maestro) born (8 February 1941 – 10 October 2011) was a famous Indian Ghazal singer, songwriter and musician. Known as “Ghazal King", he gained acclaim together with his wife, another renowned Indian Ghazal singer Chitra Singh in the 1970s and 1980s. Their combination album comprising music from the films, Arth and Saath Saath is the HMV's largest selling combination album of all time. Sajda (An Offering, 1991), Jagjit Singh's magnum opus double album with Lata Mangeshkar holds the same record in non-film category. He had sung in numerous languages. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the government of India in 2003.

Jagjit Singh studied at Khalsa High School located in Ganganagar. After completing his matriculation, he took up science. He graduated in Arts from DAV College located in Jalandhar city and has a post graduate degree in history from Kurukshetra University, Haryana. His father wanted him to join the Indian Administrative Services. But when he saw his son achieving accolades in the world of music, he was more than happy. Jagjit learnt classical music under Pundit Chaganlal Sharma and achieved expertise in classical forms like Khayal, Thumri and Dhrupad.

In terms of Indian Classical music, his style of composing and Gayaki (singing) is considered as Bol-pradhan, one that lays emphasis on words. He highlighted this in his music for films such as Prem Geet (1981), Arth and Saath Saath (1982), and TV serials Mirza Ghalib (1988) and Kahkashan (1991). Jagjit Singh is considered to be the most successful ghazal singer and composer of all time in terms of both critical acclaim and commercial success. With a career spanning over five decades and a repertoire comprising over 80 albums, the range and breadth of his work has been regarded as genre-defining. He is the only composer and singer to have composed and recorded songs written by Prime Minister - Atal Behari Vajpayee - also a critically acclaimed poet - in two albums, Nayi Disha (1999) and Samvedna (2002).

Ghazal albums

The Unforgettables (1976)
Birha Da Sultan(Shiv Kumar Batalvi) Jagjit & Chitra (1978
Live in Pakistan (1979)
A Milestone (1980)
Main aur Meri Tanhaayee (1981)
The Latest (1982)
Ae mere Dil (1983)
Live at Royal Albert Hall (1983)
Ecstasies (1984)
A Sound Affair (1985)
Echoes (1985–86)
Beyond Time (1987)
Mirza Ghalib (Two Volumes) (1988)
Passion / Black Magic (1988)
Ghazals from Films (1989)
Man Jite Jagjit (1990)
Memorable Ghazals of Jagjit and Chitra (1990)
Someone Somewhere (1990)
H O P E (1991)
Sajda (Two Volumes with Lata Ji) (1991)
Kahkashan (Two Volumes) (1991–92)
Visions (Two Volumes) (1992)
In Search (1992)
Rare Gems (1992)
Face to face (1993)
Your Choice (1993)
Chiraag (1993)
Desires (1994)
Insight (1994)
Cry for Cry (1995)
Mirage (1995)
Unique (1996)
Come Alive in a Concert (1998)
Love is Blind (1998)
Silsilay (1998)
Marasim (1999)
jaam utha(1999)
Saher (2000)
Samvedna 2002
Soz (2002)
Forget Me Not (2002)
Muntazir (2004)
Jeevan Kya Hai (2005)
Tum To Nahin Ho (2005)
Life Story (2006)
Koi Baat Chale (2006)
Jazbaat(2008)
Inteha (2009)

Playback Singing

Khushiyaan (2011)
Gandhi To Hitler (2011)
Khap (2011)
Shah Rukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu (2011)
Malik Ek (2010)
Life Express (2010)
Firaaq (2008)
Kahaani Gudiya Ki (2008)
Black & White (2008)
Traffic Signal (2007)
Baabul (2006)
Chingaari (2006)
Umar (2006)
Shikhar (2005)
Kasak (2005)
Stop! (2004)
Dhoop (2003)
Joggers' Park (2003)
Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003)
Tum Bin (2001)
Shaheed Uddham Singh (2000)
Tarkieb (2000)
Sarfarosh (1999)
Khalnayak (1993)
Billo Badshah (1989)
Phir Aayee Barsat (1985)
Raavan (1984)
Bhavna (1984)
Arth (1983)
Saath Saath (1982)
Chambal Ki Kasam (1980)
Ek Baar Kaho (1980)
Aavishkaar (1974)