It was the most memorable evening of my life, perhaps the best I have till date.
It is something I have always thought of being a part of. My eyes suddenly filled with joy when I saw a small advertisement in the newspaper('Bombay Times') about the concert of Padmabhushan Jagjit Singh Saheb in Vishnudas Bhave Natyagraheya-Vashi. I was en-thrilled at seeing the venue. Mumbai hosts numerous concerts of numerous people around the year but it was something different. It was in Vashi-a place where I resides. The venue also has a special significance in my life. When I joined Larsen & Toubro Infotech in 2007, it is this place where I had my induction function. It becomes the gateway for me of my transition from campus to company.
Although Jagjit Singh Ji was my favorite since childhood as I was amongst a few 'Taare Zamin Par' kinds who had a bechpan without comics and toys but I have grown up listening Jagjit Singh and Kavi Pradeep. An urge started within me when I first saw a video of Jagjit Singh Ji performing live at an esplanade in Singapore on television. That's when I decided to attend a concert of him if given a chance in life. Since the day I have landed in Mumbai, I tried many times to visit him in Worli but in vain. But this is the opportunity I decided not to let go.
Soon after seeing the ad, I shouted at my roomie to come out of the Poty and see what I have today. My roomei is well aware of my love for Jagjit Ji. It was done to buy the tickets on the very first day and attend the concert. We both got the tickets (although it was a little expensive but it was worth buying them) and all set to go.
Soon after seeing the ad, I shouted at my roomie to come out of the Poty and see what I have today. My roomei is well aware of my love for Jagjit Ji. It was done to buy the tickets on the very first day and attend the concert. We both got the tickets (although it was a little expensive but it was worth buying them) and all set to go.
It is the first instance in my 2 years of Mumbai life that I took more time to dress up compared to my roomie. It was my evening. The goosebumps are airlifting me. When we reached there, it was a pack house and I never expected that Vashi will have so many art lovers. This is a new learning for me that even this upcoming city has so many Ghazal lovers. The audience was all class and it was astonishing to be a part of them. Then comes the moment of the evening. My Lord arrives on the stage in a 'Satin Jogia Kurta'. He was looking so simple and calm. After making a salaam, he was straight on the bang. A true professional.
It was a lifetime experience listening him live. The musicians who came with him were perfectionists. Those who accompany him were a Sitarist, A flute player, An acoustic guitar player, An electronic guitar player, A dholak player and a tabla player. His sense of music was unmatchable, before they could start he knows what they'll play and how they'll play. It was a sheer epitome of perfection. His every word sung was as clear as a voice of an 18 year old. His singing is so pure and divine that it seems as if the God of singing has himself came down on earth. The audience was experiencing the aura he holds with himself. A 6 minute Ghazal was sung in 15 minutes with all the add-on possible. The fusion he creates and the Jugalbandi which his musicians plays can never be matched.
When he started 'Tera Chehra Hai Aaine Jaisa', the entire hall was echoed with clapings. When he sang 'Chitti na koi Sandes' the entire hall was in tears. When he sang 'Jhoom ke phir Rindon ne pila di' I was on an everlasting high. It is his charm and divinity that makes everyone to move like a puppet and change moods as per he switches between two Ghazals.
He sang for 3 hours and I have not dared to think anything else rather than being an immortal body and an everlasting soul. It feels as if I am so close to God and I'll not mind dying if he feels like taking my heart out. It was an experience which can not be contained into words. This evening will always be remembered till I am alive.
It was a lifetime experience listening him live. The musicians who came with him were perfectionists. Those who accompany him were a Sitarist, A flute player, An acoustic guitar player, An electronic guitar player, A dholak player and a tabla player. His sense of music was unmatchable, before they could start he knows what they'll play and how they'll play. It was a sheer epitome of perfection. His every word sung was as clear as a voice of an 18 year old. His singing is so pure and divine that it seems as if the God of singing has himself came down on earth. The audience was experiencing the aura he holds with himself. A 6 minute Ghazal was sung in 15 minutes with all the add-on possible. The fusion he creates and the Jugalbandi which his musicians plays can never be matched.
When he started 'Tera Chehra Hai Aaine Jaisa', the entire hall was echoed with clapings. When he sang 'Chitti na koi Sandes' the entire hall was in tears. When he sang 'Jhoom ke phir Rindon ne pila di' I was on an everlasting high. It is his charm and divinity that makes everyone to move like a puppet and change moods as per he switches between two Ghazals.
He sang for 3 hours and I have not dared to think anything else rather than being an immortal body and an everlasting soul. It feels as if I am so close to God and I'll not mind dying if he feels like taking my heart out. It was an experience which can not be contained into words. This evening will always be remembered till I am alive.
धुँआ उठा था दीवाने के जलते घर से सारी रात
लेकिन वो खामोश रहे दुनिया के डर से सारी रात.
रात यूँ जलते दिल पर तेरी यादों की बरसात हुई
जैसी एक प्यासे की चिता पर बरखा बरसे सारी रात.
लेकिन वो खामोश रहे दुनिया के डर से सारी रात.
सारी रात तो सपने देखे सुबह को ये महसूस हुआ
हमने अपना सर टकराया एक पत्थर से सारी रात
लेकिन वो खामोश रहे दुनिया के डर से सारी रात
लेकिन वो खामोश रहे दुनिया के डर से सारी रात.
रात यूँ जलते दिल पर तेरी यादों की बरसात हुई
जैसी एक प्यासे की चिता पर बरखा बरसे सारी रात.
लेकिन वो खामोश रहे दुनिया के डर से सारी रात.
सारी रात तो सपने देखे सुबह को ये महसूस हुआ
हमने अपना सर टकराया एक पत्थर से सारी रात
लेकिन वो खामोश रहे दुनिया के डर से सारी रात
