Face The Music |  2009-01-29

Jagjit Singh is not happy with Rahman's music

At a time when the entire nation is rejoicing at Bollywood‘s new found fame internationally, few of our musicians back home don‘t seem to be happy with Rehman‘s achievement and glory.



Jagjit Singh, who is respected and well regarded by all music and ghazal connoisseurs, has publicly passed negative comments about Rahman. He has openly challenged him to sing ghazals, and has called his music unreal.

"It is a fact, just that nobody is saying it, but everybody knows...Rahman josh mein aa kar ghazal banayee (If he has it in him, he should compose ghazals),", he said in a recent interview.

Ghazal baba, this is not fair. Ghazal is a different genre of music altogether. Rehmaan is a composer for films. Different musicians specialize in different forms of music. And by the way, he‘s composed ghazals for ‘Tehzeeb‘. Its another story that no one heard them. Tch , tch.

Ghazal essentially encompasses the theme of pain and at the same time, the beauty of love. Film songs on the other hand are theme oriented, and have to cater to the script and mood of the film.

Music at the end of the day speaks one language, and there is no harm in being inspired from western music, if the flavor ends up being Indian.



Why should Rehmaan even attempt singing ghazals, when his voice is not made for it? Will you ever be able to render ‘Vande Ma Taram‘ the way he did in the higher octave?

While Jagjit Singh disapproves Rehman‘s compositions, Lalit Sen sees eye to eye with him. "Whenever Jagjitji says something, it is always correct...I completely agree with him," he said agreeing with Jagjit.

What understanding does Lalit have of music? After churning out some disastrous numbers in ‘My Brother Nikhil‘, which was released almost 4 years back, one has hardly heard of him.

Shall we call it envy or mere frustration? It is surprising, how artists of the highest league cannot digest the success of their contemporaries and criticize each other openly and refuse to appreciate good music as a whole.

It won‘t be far, when Beethoven will be tagged as a mediocre musician for not having composed ghazals. Blimey!

The Pseudo bitch

Bitch, you certainly seem to be one of the pseudo types who seem to lap anything international.The movie sucked and so did the music but cuz the west sez its good you have to agree  | imemyselfindian

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I completely agree with you bitch.. Its a different matter criticizing someone‘s composition for whatever reasons but to criticize because they do not compose a particular genre is insane..  | Bloo

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hey imemyselfindian. comeon. slumdog is a fantastic film. you are nuts. i agree with the bitch here.
 | green

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u dont hav to be a "psuedo" to appreciate rahman‘s music.He didnt make music just for slumdog, he has given amazing scores for roja, guru, jodha akbar, swades etc etc etc. its jus that some ppl dont want to like anything no matter how good it is. | fashionista

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Wow...geez, I have to agree with the bitch here. I agree that Slumdog was not Rahman‘s best work, he has given us better music in Roja, Bombay, Jodha Akbar, Lagaan....the list goes on. But what the hell is the problem with you when someone from out nation is recognized internationally. Why the f*** do you have to say things against them? Especially people like Jagjit Singh, who has done nothing but sing ghazals all his life, and age has now caught up with him, he just gets cranky at anything. I have seen his concerts. On the other hand, Rahman is such a humble guy. He is even shy of speaking anything as a thank you note on various occasions.

Give him a break, and rise as one nation to celebrate the success of a great composer. Here is to Rahman.....Cheers! | canadianbitch

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tsk tsk...envy is not good Jaggu

I wonder if Jagjit can compose or sing anything except Ghazals...he has done nothing new for the last few decades, while Rahman continues to produce innovative compositions.

Jagjitji..."Tum itna kyon jale ja rahe ho...kya gham hai jisko chhupa rahe ho" | greenwithenvyyaar

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the old aging hag is purely envious and obviously looking for his own 15 minutes of fame. | alexandra

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I agree with the Bitch and Jagjit Singh as well. I mean, it must be hard for someone like Jagjit Singh to understand that why the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire got so much appreciation in the West. Honestly speaking, there wasn‘t a lot of originality in the Slumdog Millionaire soundrack. I respect both Jagjit Singh and Rehman becuase they‘re both kings in their own fields. Jagjit Singh is from the time when it used to take lots of talent to compose and sing, but now days its not that hard for new producers to compose. Also, the old folks don‘t appreciate new inventions, that are not hugely accepted by lots of classical music pandits.

Bottomline is, Rehman can‘t do what Jagjit Singh does, and vice-versa. Lets all not discuss this topic anymore. We should all enjoy the success of Slumdog Millionaire after all its India that is getting famous more than individuals.

Warmly,
MD
 | MD

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Jag is right

I wont call ARR mozart or beethoven.. fr crying out aloud. He is another recycler of tunes. As for winning the GG, well let him enjoy, but the fact is, this wasnt even his own best tune, let alone the best tune. | Ava

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I love Jagjits songs.Very soulful.But I don‘t agree with him when he says Rehman doesn‘t compose good music.He is a class of his own.He has brought about a revolution in the Bollywood music scenario. | jeerarice

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There is no doubt about it that Jagjit Singh is an asset. His songs are so soulful, they can soothe broken hearts.But he is conservative in his views about music.I agree with the bitch here.Rehman has composed excellent music too.They can‘t be compared to each other.So he shouldn‘t make statements in public like this. | beena singh

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Agree with Ava. | Sonali

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simple

seems more like hindu vs muslim case here...simple as that. | simple

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