Chitra’s tribute to Jagjit Singh

Ghazal singer Chitra Singh, who became a recluse after losing her 21-year-old son to a road accident, lost her husband, ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh early October last year. Nearly five months later, she’s decided to release an album comprising 12 of the late artiste’s unreleased songs to celebrate his 71st birthday.  The album will be unveiled at the Yaadon Ka safar concert on February 8 in the city, and will also be aired on Colors.

The channel, Global Indian Music Academy (GIMA) and event company Wizcraft have collaborated on the show that brings Indian and Pakistani singers together on one stage. The performers include the likes of Shaan, Ghulam Ali, Ustad Rashid Khan, Anup Jalota, Hariharan, Hans Raj Hans, Dr L Subramanium and Kunal Ganjawala. Apart from the musicians, Jagjit Singh’s family will make their first appearance at a concert after his demise. “His grandson has agreed to speak,” says Sabbas Joseph of Wizcraft, adding, “It’s the first official tribute that they are paying to Jagjit saab. We’ve got together all the possible singers who were close to him. We also have Shabana Azmi, Nida Fazli, Javed Akhtar and Mahesh Bhatt with us that day. They knew different aspects of the late singer, so we wanted them to speak as well.”

The reason Chitra agreed to release the album at the concert, according to Sabbas, is that she felt this was the most fitting tribute to her husband: “His albums were the most sought-after. And though she is releasing only 12 songs now, I’m sure in a year, she’ll release other records with his remaining last works. She doesn’t usually make public appearances, and quit singing long ago, but we’re trying to get her to record a sort of a prologue to the album. Let’s see if we succeed.”

On her part, Chitra says, “I’m filled with a deep sense of pride and joy that the music fraternity is coming together to remember and honor my husband on his birth anniversary. The tribute concert has my blessings and support.”