Jagjit Singh on A R Rahman | Jagjit Singh Interview Comments About A R Rahman and Ghajals
Jagjit Singh in an interview to one of the newspapers in India expressed his unhappiness at the sorry state of affairs of the ghazal in India and brought Rahman into the loop by commenting that Rahman does not have a sense of ghazal. Was it an off-the cuff remark or was it a reflection of the aficionados about preferring ghazal to popular music.Ghazals since their inception have been a prerequisite more of the connoisseurs and have survived and thrived only on the basis of patronage. The level of patronage may have differed from time to time, but it was never in competition with the popular music at all, more so after advent of popular cinema as a place of music. In the old times, the music directors were attuned to the nuances of ghazals, and the milieu was also such that it allowed scope for injection of ghazal into the oeuvre of a film composition.
But as the preferences changed, ghazals started losing patronage. For the present generation, which does not have much sense of Urdu as a language to expect, that they would appreciate the nuances of a ghazal is asking too much. It has also to do with the fact that the present generation likes to be anonymous in a crow, and the ghazal is a genre that has to be enjoyed more in the secluded confines of loneliness.
Such kind of ambiences are rarely created, it is the nature of life that dictates the choice of music. Was it not owing to this fact that ghazals also moved on to imbibe western instruments in the rendition to have connect with the audience.
As a matter of fact, it was Jagjit Singh who adopted guitar, violin etc., in a big way in his ghazals and created a sense of destruction by moving it away from harmonium and tabla. In association with Kuldeep Sood, he had come out with albums, which had purely western music base, and albums like Someone Somewhere, Insight etc., which created a new genre of ghazal fans. Disruption is a phenomenon, which is happening everywhere, and ghazal is no exception. Audience's tastes change. But to bring Rahman into the picture and also question the nature of lyrics may be too far-fetched. After all the master crafter of words, Gulzar, has also changed, and he is in line for an Oscars.
Besides, while Rahman may not have done much for ghazals, he has indeed served the cause of Indian music, by bringing in relief once again qawali and he has popularized it in a big way. May be, Jagjit Singh's rant would prod him to turn his spot light to ghazal as well, and it would indeed be a JAI HO moment.
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ReplyDeleteIt's quite embarrassing to see degrading comments written about a national treasure - Jagjit Singh. Although, I can understand the point of view, which some Indians without much thought choose to opt for - a blatant reactionary anger. But did anyone care before writing these things, in what context Jagjit Singh said this about A R Rahman (another source of national pride).
ReplyDeleteJagjit Singh knows how talented A R Rahman is. After all, he lent his voice under Rahman's direction for Jana Gana Mana like other legendary voices of India (Lataji, Asha...). And Rahman holds Singh's style in high regard as stated by him in an interview about Jana Gana Mana.
However, the question Singh raises is not about talent, it's purely a cultural one. Let's not forget (if you even know about it) Jagjit was the first composer ever to bring multi track digital recording to India. He used synthesizers long before any of his contemporaries did, and that too for a ghazal format. However, he kept the soul of Ghazal intact and never compromised on it.
It's not a question of awards. Jagjit Singh does not need any awards at his level, with a dedicated following of millions around the world, nor does Rahman. You should see the stir his ghazal concerts can cause anywhere his performances are announced. I recently attended his concert in London, the venue (Hammersmith Apollo) was oversold and jampacked. Although it was an evening of ghazals, the buzz was like you'd get from attending an Eric Clapton or Bob Dylan concert. Since, last four decades, this is what Jagjit Singh has been doing for ghazals.
The point Jagjit Singh seems to be making is that AR Rahman should do more for traditonal forms of Indian music with his talent than what he's been doing over recent years. And that's true. Oscars, at times are not great measures even for cinematic triumphs, let alone musical depths. Otherwise, how come there haven't been any Oscar winnning Indian films in last couple of decades. Around the world Slumdog Millionaire is not even called an Indian film. It's referred as the British Film. And, that's why it even got noticed. I mean, come on, they have only just started giving Oscars to their own stellar black actors and actresses (see Denzel Washington, Halle Berry and Forrest Whittaker)after over 80 years.
It's shame how Indians can let go their own culture and pride for a bit of limelight elsewhere. If you want to see real hero who even the west reveres and I literally mean 'reveres'. Go and see Ravi Shankar while the maestro is still alive! The world of rock and roll owes him so much for what he gave the beatles and generations of music lovers!
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ReplyDeleteI can very well understand people's love for Rahman as I am also one of his fans but that doesn't mean Jagjit singh is a minnow. His sense of music is unique and it's shame that some people can write such a disgusting thing about this legendary composer & singer.
ReplyDeleteWe love you Jagjit as well as Rahman.
Both of you have right to express yourselves.
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ReplyDelete