Popularly known as 'The King of Ghazals', Jagjit Singh was born as Jagmohan Singh Dhiman in Rajasthan on February 8, 1941. Singh had four sisters and two brothers and was known as Jeet by his family. (All photos/mid-day archives)
For his ghazals, Jagjit Singh chose poetry that was relevant to the masses and was known for the revival and popularity of the form. His career spanned over five decades, during which he released 80 albums.
He was the only composer and singer to have composed and recorded songs written by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee - also a critically acclaimed poet - in two albums, Nayi Disha (1999) and Samvedna (2002)
The couple released 'The Unforgettable' album in 1976, and their work was highly appreciated.
'Hothon Se Choo Lo Tum', 'Hosh Waalon Ko' and 'Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahey Ho' are among his most memorable Bollywood numbers, and remain popular as ever.
For his immense contribution to music, Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003. A biography of Singh titled Beyond Time was released in 2012. It was based on about 40 hours of interviews with him.
Jagjit Singh was admitted in Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital for more than 2-weeks after suffering a brain haemorrhage, hours before he was scheduled to perform with Pakistani ghazal maestro, Ghulam Ali, in Mumbai. He breathed his last on October 10, 2011.
ADVERTISEMENT
