Tribute: Jagjit Singh

A lot has been written about Jagjit Singh’s singing talent, but his absolute passion for horses and horse racing remains known to a few who were close to him. In a tete-a-tete with trainer Magan Singh Jodha, a close friend, we remember fondly the ghazal maestro and great racing enthusiast, Jagjit Singh.

Jagjit Singhji and I go back a long way, when I used to be a cinematographer, producing documentaries and ad films for Deboo Dutta, who was Chitraji’s ex-husband. The jingles and music for the ad films were done by Jagjit Singh, and it was during this time that we got close. He knew my father who was a jockey and as he used to frequently go racing we used to sit and discuss racing from that time. We used to go to the first enclosure from the ‘70’s and have our quiet bets and enjoy ourselves thoroughly at the races.

Shortly after, my father decided to apply for a trainer’s license. As he needed eleven horses to start off with I spoke to Jagjit and he agreed to buy five horses. So along with late Col. Govind Singh, my father-in-law, they decided to buy the horses he needed, and that’s how my father took up a trainer’s license in 1983. In 1984 they had their first winner with Sound Affair, the name of one of his famous albums. Many of his horses were named after his music albums.”

He went on to buy horses regularly winning the Northumberland Trophy with Volcan, barely missing out in the Indian Oaks by a head. He then decided to import a mare and the result was a filly that ultimately went up to Class1.

He met his soul mate in another renowned Indian Ghazal singer Chitra Singh and they came to be known as the first successful husband wife duo of modern Ghazal singing. The couple came out with an album named Beyond Time in 1987 when tragedy struck the couple and their only son, Vivek Singh, died in an accident at the age of 21. The shattering episode had moved the couple so much that Chitra quit singing while Jagjit then took recourse in his music and spirituality.

“We tried to spend more time with them during this incredibly trying period. The road leading up to their house was named after their son and is known as Vivek Singh Road. Chitra found solace in the beautification and landscaping of that road.

Jagjitji, a Padma Bhushan awardee, was a witty man with a tremendous sense of humour. But, after the tragedy he started believing in the power of those who could forecast the future, numerology, and more, emphasising the fact that he was aware that destiny is not in his hands. He was part of a jovial group of friends that met in the morning at Gallops, for their morning walks and breakfast, and believing so much in the power of colours, he set a colour code for each day of the week. When he passed away on a Monday we were all in white.

He had a beautiful home in Lonavla and would lovingly talk about the rooms he had created for his son and others. One day enroute to Pune for the races he said, “I smell Babu (Vivek)” and went on to tell me that he told him that we were going to win a race. We did, and when it happened he just looked at me and our gaze locked, understanding what he had just gone through. It was a hair rising moment for me because I had just lived the moment with him. His eyes said it all. He wanted his son to spend six months on our stud farm, after he had finished his education in England, in order to toughen him up.”

“His passion for horses extended to rendering support for the inexperienced and young talent. He advocated the lesser use of the whip promoting the air-cushion whip. He was also on the Animal Welfare Board. He preferred having apprentices and claimers on his horse, those that had less use of the whip. I have seen him feed a foal of his with a bottle at our farm when the mare had died. He had a passion that encompassed it all.”

He was so keen to see his horses run that their racing schedule had to comply with the dates of his concerts. He always wanted to be there. He loved evenings at the stables, being in the company of horses. Chitra used to accompany him to the stables but rarely came racing. When Different Strokes had a great chance of winning he managed to persuade her to come racing and it’s a rare photo of her leading in a winner.

Beginners luck paid off when she came for the Indian Derby and put out a `100 on Noble Eagle. Jagjit realizing she was adamant on putting her money on a pace setter decided not to disappoint her, but put the money in his pocket. Well, he had to pay back big time!

The later untimely tragic death of his step-daughter only brought more grief to a heart already burdened by so much.

Jagjitji had a heart of gold. Stories that depict this are endless. “Every morning he would make us have black tea at Gallops so that he could collect the milk thereby saved and distribute it amongst the poor children at Haji Ali” expresses Magan as he remembers his dear friend. With simple deeds like these he personified humility. Jagjit Singh had a history of philanthropic endeavours too, such as the library at St. Mary’s School, Mumbai, Bombay Hospital, CRY, Save the Children and ALMA. He was an epitome of humility and had catered to his friends, family, fans and the society with care and diligence. He also started a Special Cancer hospital in Pune and supported an old age home there. He held charitable concerts for Mehdi Hassan to help his impoverished condition. “His abundant wealth was open to his family members and he would readily go out of his way to help anyone he could” believes Magan.

“He was very keen to do a show for the Hyderabad Golden Jubliee and was also planning to do a charity show at the R.W.I.T.C….unfortunately that was not to be. When he turned 70 this year he announced that he was going to have 70 shows all around the world. We all advised him against this because of the stress he would undertake in travelling to sing all over the world. He was determined and went ahead. I do not know how many shows he completed but it is possible that he was overworked and the stress told on him. He had a show with Gulam Ali and sent me a joke late the night before. Wondering what was wrong I called him up and he sounded so excited about coming to Pune to see his horses after the show. That was the last time I spoke with him.”

.” In memory of the legendary Jagjit Singh an innovative race, The Jagjit Singh Tribute Million has been framed and for the first time the Owner’s Association and four individual owners, in addition to the Club, have jointly contributed to the race. It will be a Million race, a Class IV handicap reserved for small owners only. While Jagjit will be missed dearly, his memory will live on forever in the meaningful ghazals that will continue to play long after he is gone.