My knowledge of Ghazals is limited and confined to blissfully enjoying the sheer melody. I have often wondered if Ghazal should belong to the evocative class. I must have been listening to Ghazals from my school days but could never go beyond considering them as the best soulmate for a disturbed mind.
Jagjit Singh enthralled us last evening. It must be sheer divine grace that he maintains the same voice and uniqueness that i first heard in 1985. He chose Hoton Se Chulo Tum for expansive raag vinyasa and i thought there was a bit of breach into Misr Yaman from Malhar (or i am as always wrong??). But that is not the point - in popular music, there is always a trade-off between orthodoxy and entertainment value. The beauty of Ghazal lies in the singer's dialogues as interlude. And Jagjitji's gifted voice stands out when he speaks. It would be an understatement to call him Ghazal King. He transcends such mundane descriptions when he is on the stage with his harmonium.
At 70, his breath control is amazing. A must-see for all atheists... Long live Sir.
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