BANGALORE: `Shaam-e-Ghazal’ rings as much grandeur as is exuded by the maestro performing at the show. Shaam-e-Ghazal was the live in concert of Jagjit Singh at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, organised by the Round Table India and The Ladies Circle India on June 18.The philanthropic organisations have successfully materialised the idea of captivating the Bangalore crowds with the magic of Jagjit Singh’s renowned Ghazal as well as offer funds raised to the needy of the society, through their community service projects. Jagjit Singh is a world renowned ghazal singer who had been exploring and subsequently enchanting us with the beauty of ghazals and other classical genres.Dubbed ‘The King of Ghazal’, he is the maestro in the realm of ghazals, treading success all the way for almost half a century. There had been no looking back since the release of his first album The Unforgettables, a collection of semi-classical Indian music in 1965. He offered freshness and uniqueness to the ghazal and altered the flow of this genre’s fate, which was previously confined to the elite. You name it and he has it for he had done an uncountable number of albums and concerts till date. Having mastered the intricacies of a music genre as traditional as Ghazal, he continues to sway the spectators with the soulful, melodious songs of love, devotion and loss. Here is an excerpt of an interview with Jagjit Singh before the concert.How do you feel about the charity concert for Round Table India? I feel very happy that they are doing a great job. Round Table India is a group of young people, young technicians to help solve the social problems. It is my pleasure to share the fund-raising possibility with them.As the King of ghazal, kindly enlighten us on what is ghazal Ghazal is a form of poetry with fixed format. It has certain disciplines that you have to observe like the rhythm, length of line and rhymes.Anything written in this style is called ghazal.Other than ghazal and bhajan, which music genres do you like? Appreciation can sprout from understanding the music genre. For, each one of them is unique. You should understand the music so that you could savour its beauty. One should know how to sing in the case of a performer. Obviously, I like classical music.Ghazal is known for its calm and soothing effects.In that context, what is your opinion of the contemporary pop music? First of all, they are on their own, just as traditional music is. Contemporary pop songs are also serving their purpose of entertaining and making money. They don’t have a stake in social and cultural responsibility.You have been accredited with bringing Ghazal, a genre previously restricted to the elite of the society to the masses.How does that work? As a singer, one has to heed the wishes of the spectator.In these times of information technology, media support is crucial to catch the attention of the masses.Pertaining to today’s stereotyped youth, who are inclined to Western music of pop and rock genre, where would you find ghazal ten years from now? Ghazal in a decade or so will likely go down in popularity but it will never die. It is a part of literature which is eternal. Just as Ramayana and Mahabharata were celebrated epics since time immemorial.It has been almost half a century of your career as a singer, how has the face of music changed since then? Change is inevitable and foreboding. With time everything changes. Your lifestyle of eating, dressing and education has been evolving.Literature too is not an exception and same is with music. Music is reflection of where the listeners stand at the moment, in what they find meaning and appreciate at the moment.It is said that in metro cities, the soothing effect of your voice on frayed nerves has prompted psychiatrists to prescribe them as stress relievers. Any comment on that? Music is therapeutic. I have come across fans who expressed such opinions. It is not only in metros for the ardent fans are more in the small towns.Having done numerous songs for films over a long stretch of time, what is your opinion of the music scenario in Hindi cinema? They adopt the music style according to the story and that has been working for them. My poetry and singing style doesn’t fit there. Films are mostly based on violence and sex where traditional music is the odd one out and has to take the backseat.Lastly, can you tell us about your upcoming works? As for concerts, I am performing every weekend, somewhere and I am preparing a new ghazal album and a devotional album.
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