My Loss


Oct 10, 2011. Jagjit Singh left us.

Benaam sa yeh dard 
thahar kyon nahi jaata
guzar kyon nahi jaata
benaam sa yeh ...
maine dil se kahaa, ai deevaane bataa
jab se koi milaa, tu hai khoyaa huaa
ye kahaani hai kyaa, 
khushiyon ki aankh mein, baarishein bhar gayi
log aapno se bhi bekhabar ho gaye,
khushbooyein chooni thi, shauk mein kho gaye
paake jugnu zaara roshni ke liye....
dil tarasta hai aab zindagi ke liye
jo beet gaya hai vo

Never did I anticipate the magnitude of the loss for me. I knew I loved his voice. I knew that enchanting voice soothed my soul with the poignant lyrics, but I was unprepared for the deep melancholy that has crept into my heart since his demise.

Like for a million other fans, he has played a strong role in my life by helping me understand all those emotions better and coping with them. He is that one person who has consistently stood by me even in my solitude as I matured with each passing year of my life. It has been a realization of how much he has been a part of my life.


When I hear the daughter talk about her favourite music, ghazals are not in the scene. The music matters, the lyrics, not as much. And when they do, it is more because the music is peppy and catchy leaving one humming along. Has it changed much since my times? I am not really sure for I see the crass Bollywood numbers ruling the roost everywhere. (No offence meant for Bollywood has a lot of good music to offer too!)


Maine dil se kahaa -, ai deevaane bataa
hai ye kyaa silsilaa

I often used to wonder if Jagjit Singh felt the happiness, sorrow, love, despair and many a times helplessness that he  invoked in us listeners, as intensely.  I know he did.

But I wish I could ask him myself.

It has been five years now.

Ek khalish dil ki yeh, kya se kya kar gayi

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