Saturday 1 January 2022

When Velvet Voice, Jagjit Met Ghazal Queen Married Chitra: love is Blind

Though many singers have tried their hands on Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, a song from the 1982 Shabana Azmi film, Arth, nothing touches your heart the way the original track does. Jagjit Singh's buttery voice makes “Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho” a timeless classic. 

Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. Two names. One identity. What truly has made them ‘unforgettable’ was the fact that their performances were not merely about sharab, shabab and shama and Parwana. They spoke of love, longing, dreams and dejection, hope and spirituality.

 

The pair grew iconic through the ’70s and ’80s, triggering a trend of ‘couple singers’ but remained peerless till Chitra turned silent one day... After losing their only son Vivek Singh (18) in a road accident, Chitra ‘lost her voice’ in 1990 and receded in the shadows.

 

The ghazal maestro, Jagjit Singh created a rage amongst the music lovers decades ago, but still continues to be synonymous with ghazals even for the younger generations.

 

There cannot be a single heartbeat that hasn’t been touched with the soulful voice of Jagjit ji. Later he got married to the ‘Queen of Ghazals’, Chitra Singh and they together democratized this musical form and created some incredible music together.

 

Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh together earned the name of the ‘King and Queen of Ghazals’. While everyone has their soulful hit tracks on their playlist, let us take you to their love journey.

 

Jagjit Singh began his professional career in 1961 by undertaking singing and composing assignments at All India Radio's (AIR) Jallandhar station.

 

Not from a well-off family, as a child Jagjit Singh used to study by the light of lanterns, due to lack of electricity in the house. In an interview, Singh had stated that they even lacked the facility of running water.

 

His father, Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman, who was a government employee, had hoped that Jagjit would become an engineer.

Jagjit Singh met the love of his life, Chitra Singh in a studio to record a jingle for an advertisement. When Jagjit Singh had fallen madly in love with a married lady, the husband had asked for his wife’s hand.

 

The love story of Jagjit Singh and his wife Chitra has been very filmy. In fact, Jagjit Singh had fallen madly in love with Chitra, had reached near her husband to ask for his wife’s hand.

 

Bengali singer Chitra Shome married Debo Prasad Dutta, an executive in a leading advertising agency in the mid-50s. They had a daughter, Monica, in 1959.

 

The Velvet Voice, Jagjit Met Ghazal Queen Chitra: For the first time in the year 1967.

Both Jagjit and Chitra met for the first time in the year 1967. Jagjit Singh met his life Chitra in a studio. Chitra had come to the studio to record the jingle of an ad.

Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayaal Aaya,

Zindagi Dhoop, Tum Ghana Saaya…

A music director wanted to mix the voices of many singers and I was associated with Jagjit ji. When I met him for the first time, he was resting in the room.

 

Chitra had further said that after hearing his voice, I told the music director that his voice is very heavy. I can’t sing a song with him. However, Chitra later agreed to sing the song with Jagjit Singh.

 

The chemistry of Jagjit Singh and Chitra was very popular in the 70-80s. After the divorce from Chitra’s first husband Debo Prasad Dutta, Jagjit supported her a lot in this difficult time.

 

Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh’s chemistry worked like magic and there was no looking back for the much-in-love couple. Jagjit and Chitra decided on forever in 1969 and it was the latter’s second marriage.

 

Chitra says calling him a ‘ghazal singer’ would be restricting Jagjit’s genius. “He was a unique musician. He came to Mumbai (1965) with the same aspirations as anyone else. But his voice was so different it never could match any hero.

 

It only grew richer with time. When Mahesh Bhatt used his voice for Raj Kiran in Arth (1983), he was a lot younger and his voice was not so heavy. We also sang for Saath Saath (1982) where his voice suited the mood of the film.

 

But generally, his remained background songs.” She underlines Jagjit’s role in popularizing the ghazal. “Earlier the ghazal was referred to something sung for the elderly and those sung by Begum Akhtar, Angoori Bai and others.

 

Chitra ji was earlier married to Debo Prasad Dutta and had a daughter with him, Monica. Chitra ji decided to part ways with her former partner in 1968 and moved on to live separately with her daughter.

 

In this difficult phase, Jagjit ji lend his support to Chitra ji and her daughter, Monica. But when he expressed his feelings to her, Chitra didn’t say ‘yes’. And Jagjit was so much in love with Chitra that he went on to ask her hand from her ex-husband, and said:" I want to marry your wife."

 

I want to marry your wife

Chitra had said that this time was very difficult for her. But Jagjit Singh supported him a lot. After some time Jagjit Singh also expressed his feelings in front of Chitra. But Chitra did not agree to the marriage.

 

Chitra had further told that when I did not say yes to him, he went to my ex-husband Debo and said that I want to marry your wife. After which Jagjit Singh and Chitra got married in 1969 and were together forever.

 

In 1982, their ghazals for films Arth and Saath Saath lent the necessary gravitas to the offbeat films. In fact, the combo album of Arth and Saath Saath was the highest-selling cassette that year.

 

The first tragedy- Their son's death in 1990

It was a usual July evening. Jagjit was watching a film on video with wife Chitra, when news of their son’s accident tore their world apart.

 

Reportedly, Vivek’s car rammed into a BEST truck, which was repairing streetlights late at night on July 27, 1990. Shocked by the inconceivable trauma, Chitra lost her voice and withdrew into a shell.

 

“My world came crashing down (after Vivek's demise). I reduced to 43 kilos and looked like a ghost. I couldn’t face people — mera gala apne aap bandh ho gaya. It stayed like that for nearly 14 years,” Chitra recalled in a rare interview”.

 

Gradually, Jagjit immersed himself in music but memories of his son pervaded his life and art. “My son is my stage partner,” he’d often say.

 

At a musical night organized by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Jagjit reportedly said, “Rajiv Gandhi and my son shared the same birthday. Both died a violent death.” When he sang the ghazal Dard se mera daaman bhar de, many in the audience were left teary-eyed.

 

Chitra did try to return to singing but the emotional ordeal had dented her confidence as well. “One morning, while I was looking at Vivek’s photograph, I felt I was dishonoring my gift. Vivek was so proud of our singing. To honor his memory, I wanted to sing again.”

 

But, like an instrument not used for years’, Chitra’s voice had lost its edge. “It’s the biggest tragedy that I cannot sing. One day I’m doing well, the other day I’m back to square one. If I cannot match my calibre, I’ll let myself down,” she shared her reservations.

 

The Second Tragedy: Her daughter Monica committed suicide

Around two decades later, Chitra’s world was upturned once again when her daughter from her first marriage, ex-model Monica Dutta, committed suicide on May 29, 2009. She was 50. Monica married cinematographer Jehangir Choudhary in 1988. The couple had two sons, Armaan and Umair.

In 2005, she divorced him and married British national, Mark Houghton Roger Atkins, managing director of a firm in Mumbai. In 2007, she had filed a case of harassment against Atkins. A non-bailable was issued warrant against Atkins in 2008, who had already left the country.

 

Jagjit was touring America when Monica passed away. Devastated by the news, he cancelled all his performances and returned home. “Papa (Chitra’s endearment for Jagjit) was shaken after Monica’s death. She was like a daughter,” shared Chitra.

 

“My daughter was so beautiful and strong. But ultimately, she lost. She couldn’t cope any more. She had a rough life,” confided Chitra. “I was talking to her till 3 am. I must have been insensitive not to have sensed that she’d do such thing.

 

What kind of a mother am I? I should have given her more support…. I blame myself for that,” shared a wrecked Chitra.

 

Final Tragedy: Death of a soulmate-- jagjit passed away in 2011

Two years later, in 2011, a series of 70 musical events were planned worldwide to celebrate Jagjit’s 70th birthday. One such was a show with Ghulam Ali in Mumbai. Just prior to that, Jagjit, on 23 September 2011, suffered brain hemorrhage. He passed away on 10 October.

 

“When I lost Baboo (Vivek) the question ‘why me’ would bother me. But spirituality changes your thinking. There has to be a reason for all this,” she said at the passing away of Jagjit.

 

That chapter of her life had been silenced forever.

It was great news for her fans in 2017, when after 27 years of staying away from music; Chitra was slated to sing at the venerated Sankatmochan Sangeet Samaroh on the premises of the Sankatmochan temple in Kashi. But an emotional Chitra broke down on stage and lamented her inability to perform…

 

But for her fans, her ghazals remains a cherished treasure. From gramophone records, cassettes and CDs to digital music platforms… they have a life beyond time.

 

But for her fans, her ghazals remains a cherished treasure. From gramophone records, cassettes and CDs to digital music platforms… they have a life beyond time.

 

Tu Nahi To Zindagi Me Kya Reh Jayega,

Dur Tak Tanhaiyon Ka Sahara Silsilaa Reh Jayega…

 

Hothon Se Chhoo Lo Tum, Mera Geet Amar Kar Do… Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh came as a breath of fresh air. Jagjit ji and Chitra ji were two names but one identity, and their voice will continue to resonate with ghazal connoisseurs and music lovers around the world!

 

Jagjit and Chitra together pulled ghazal out of the elite class drawing rooms and brought it to the masses. It has been ten years since Jagjit Singh passed away but his voice continues to resonate with ghazal aficionados around the world.

The End

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Friday 24 December 2021

Travelogue of Smart City Kanpur: Colonial Heritage:-Once Manchester of East

Generally speaking, people consider Kanpur as a dirty place, well sorry to say, its true but we do have some pretty good places to chill out. Kanpur which was once called Manchester of India. The city is also widely regarded as the "Leather City of the World".

Lal Imli--KANPUR
also known as Cawnpore is a metropolitan city. The second largest city of Uttar Pradesh as its Nagar Nigam covers an area of 403km square. Kanpur is home to numerous historical & religious sites gardens, parks.
 

The city serves as a proud center of learning with numerous reputed institutions providing the finest class of education. It boasted of India’s first IIT, one of the first Ordnance factory (Still running), a parachute factory and multiple leather and textile mills, of which many have closed down. 

 

Kanpur: from pages of History

In 1207 AD, Raja Kanti Deo of Prayag (connected to the throne of Kannauj) established the village Kohna, which later came to be known as Kanpur.

 

Kanpur continued its association with Kannauj during the reigns of Harsha Vardhan, Mihir Bhoja, Jai Chand and early Muslim rulers through the Sur Dynasty.

 

The first mention of Kanpur was made in 1579 during Sher Shah’s regime. Up to the first half of the 18th century, Kanpur was an insignificant village.

 

In May 1765, Shuja-ud-daula, the Nawab of Awadh, was defeated by the British near Jajmau . From 1773 to 1801, it was part of the Oudh kingdom and then came into the hands of the British.

 

At this time, the British realized the strategic importance of the site of Kanpur. European businessmen had, by this time, started establishing themselves in Kanpur. Kanpur passed into British hands under the treaty of 1801 with Nawab Saadat Ali Khan of Awadh.

 

Lal Imli: Proud of Kanpur. A great highlight of the City. Slow Decline of a Historic Heritage

With the first woolen mill of India, commonly known as the Lal Imli (literally meaning "Red Tamarind", for a brand produced by the mill) by the British India Corporation established here in 1876 by Alexander MacRobert.

Lal Imli-Kanpur
 The eastern and northern facades of the mill are reminiscent of the Palace of Westminster, due to their architecture, proximity to the Ganges River and with the north-east corner of the mill being topped by a clock tower similar to Big Ben in London.

 

Being located on the banks of the Ganges, there was a facility of traffic and industry. Therefore, the British gave birth to the industry and here the development of the city started.

 

First of all, East India Company started the business of Neel here. After the construction of the Grand Trunk Road in 1832, the town was connected to Allahabad. In 1864 AD, Lucknow, Kalpi etc. were added by roads to the main places. 

Adventurous Roaming in Kanpur: Places I visited– where history and beauty awaits

Nobody really thinks of travelling to Kanpur when asked with the question of a vacation, but the idea here is to appreciate the diversity of India, of a city that is perhaps still true to its heritage.

Kanpur is largely an industrial city but hidden within that smoke are some interesting gems that ought to be explored.

 

Thankfully I got a chance yo visit Kanpur. It was a marriage function that gave me some time to explore Kanpur.Hired an auto rikshaw for this adventure. I had decided first to take a walk along River Ganga.

(1)River Ganga: Sarsaiya Ghat Kanpur

Kanpur is situated along river Ganga. City has dozen Ganga Ghats. Sarsaiya Ghat is in mid of city, vey close to Bada Chauraha, Kachahri. One of ancient Ghat which is popular among pilgrims.

River Ganga-Sarsaiya Ghat-Kanpur
 

A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself. A good river is nature’s life work in song.

Sarsaiya Ghat--Kanpur

(2)Gurudwara Chintaharan Dukhniwaran Sarsaiya Ghat Kanpur

Gurudwara Chintaharan Dukhniwaran is situated at Sarsaiya Ghat in Kanpur city. It is considered the oldest gurudwara in Kanpur city. No other gurudwara in the world has this special distinction.

Gurdwara--Sarsaiya Ghat--Kanpur

Another specialty and uniqueness of Gurudwara Chintaharan Dukhniwaran is that Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, the 9th Guru of Sikh community stayed at this place with his devotees and family members for two days in 1665.

 

Guru was travelling to Assam through Patna Sahib when he stayed at Sarsaiya Ghat in Kanpur city.

 

(3). Green Park Stadium

No cricket fan can miss out on visiting the Green Park Stadium while staying in Kanpur. Established in the year 1945, the stadium is maintained by the Uttar Pradesh Sports Department. The stadium also has the biggest manually operated scoreboard in the world.

 

(4). Nana Rao Park

An enormous public garden located on Mall Road is another interesting place in Kanpur. This refreshing site is ideal for nature lovers and those looking for a isolated escape in the hustling-bustling city.

 

Lush green garden features life-size statues of prominent historical personalities including Tatya Tope, Lala Lajpat Rai, Rani Lakshmi Bai, and Ajizan Bai.

 

(5). JK Temple

JK Temple is one of the famous temples in Kanpur. Exhibiting an amalgamation of ancient and modern architecture, the temple was constructed under the supervision of the Singhania family in the year 1953.

J. K. Temple--Kanpur

The temple is dedicated to Radha Krishna .The temple campus is dotted with plants and trees of various varieties. There are three ponds inside the campus on west, north and south sides of the temple.

 

(6). Moti Jheel

Moti Jheel in Kanpur is a water storage site that is also one of the most famous tourist places in Kanpur. The rectangular lake was originally developed during the British Raj. You can indulge in boating apart from enjoying local delicacies from the food stalls.

Moti Jheel--Kanpur

(7)Kanpur Memorial Church.

One of the oldest and beautiful churches of India, the Kanpur Memorial Church is located on Albert Lane. Originally called the All Souls' Church is an Anglican church in Kanpur. It was built in 1875 in honour of the British who got velour during the Siege of Cawnpore in 1857.

 

The church was designed by Walter Granville, architect of East Bengal Railway. To the east of the church is the memorial garden which can be approached through only one gateway. 

Kanpur Memorial Church-Kanpur

It has a handsome carved Gothic screen designed by Henry Yule. Its center is occupied by the beautiful carved figure of an angel by Baron Carlo Marochetti, with crossed arms, holding palons , i.e. symbols of peace.

 

(8)Z Square Mall in Kanpur is spread in an area of around 5 acres.

“Z Square Mall” has more than 150 top national and international brands. The mall is owned by ZAZ Tanners Group. 

Z-Square-Kanpur

The best part of the mall is its location. It is located in the heart of Kanpur city known as Mall road. Z Square Mall got started in year 2010.

 

Banarsi Tea Shop at 80 Ft Road

Banarsi Chai-Kanpur

One of the best tea one can have in whole Kanpur very hot and creamy tea. There are always flocks of people waiting for tea, especially in the morning, where thousands of people sip tea everyday.

Banarsi Chai-Kanpur

The milk and cream Chai with a tinge of Cardamom served in a earthen Kullar tasted heavenly. The accompaniments of Samosa with potato masala filling melted away in the stream of piping hot chai and I had to order another chai to satisfy myself.

 

Paan Masala of Kanpur

The chewing pan masala culture and spitting everywhere and staining everything that comes in the way thereby, started from this very city, Kanpur in 70s.

Reached its peak in 80s and 90s when pan parag, the numerous uno king of the pouch revolution hanging in every corner paan shops reigned supreme.

 

Thaggu ke laddu and Badnam Kulfi

The oldest shop is located in a noisy, chaotic lane with a bustling crowd at Bada Chauraha in Kanpur. This place has a motto "Aisa koi saga nahi, jisko humne Thaga nahi." Meaning that there is not even a single dear one whom we have not cheated. 


Remember the Abhishek Bach Chan and Rani Mukherjee starrer movie Bunty Aur Babli from 2005? The movie was a super hit but it also brought into limelight a small sweet shop in Kanpur called Thaggu ke Ladoo where one of the important scenes of the movie was shot.

Badnam Kulfi--Kanpur
 

BABA Biryani from Kanpur

This has become a signature food from Kanpur. My various friends from Kanpur recommended this dish until i myself tasted it. Baba ki Biryani is the best biryani in Kanpur.

 

Perfect blend of zaffran and other spices, ghee, chicken pieces and the onion slices mix perfectly to create a delightful plate.


The rate is most reasonable. The tandoori murgh, is also astounding, complete your meal with firni custard, lassi and kulfi, all are equally great.

 

Typical Kanpurias: They feel proud being called Kanupriya.

You will notice a lot abusive tone which they don’t mean all the time but they say it because it’s casual.

 

They follow a simple rule “Never ever follow traffice rules, traffic lights are just 3 colors for them”.

 

“RANGBAAJI’ is not just a word for us it’s a long driven sentence which means “don’t show me attitude", a matter of ego and pride too.

 

If you are a girl then you will face a lot of problem with teasing though they will tease you with respect by adding didi in sentences. No doubt we will help if you need it.

 

Do not expect soft spoken people in Kanpur, they are blunt.

 

They celebrate Holi and Eid 2 times just to play with colours,which means we love to have fun a lot.

 

Try to avoid fight with aunties as they will direct it straight away to your character.

 

Kanpurias have a great sense of what you call ‘desi’ humor, and they will give you some of the best ‘vyang’, sacrcastic/leg pulling lines.

 

Don’t say bad things about the city, they know it’s not one of the cleanest, but they love it!

They love the chaat, paani ke batashe, aloo-tikki, malai makhhan, thaggu ke laddoo, badnaam kulfi, rabri, jalebi, imarti… and you actually won’t find the same taste anywhere else, or fail to appreciate them anywhere else, once you’ve had it.

 

People will recognize you and chat up with you after years, Ask about your entire family and always part with a sweet smile and ‘namaste’.

 

The Paanwaala will still remember your favorite Paan and treat you for free saying, “Arre kaisi baat kar rahe hein aap”, adding some more meethi supari.

 

Kanpuriyas will always be very glad to know that you belong to somewhere close by, like Lucknow, Unnao, Allahabad… “Arre phir toh aap humare padosi hue”.not all… but to sign off, Kanpurias will be Kanpurias.

The END