AR Rahman is being recognized internationally,with his music for Slumdog Millionaire getting the golden globe award and also getting 3 nominations in Musical category for Oscar.This is the first time an Indian musician is getting so much exposure and fame,but sadly he got blasted from a very unexpected corner. He is the target of Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh’s flak.
“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),” Jagjit Singh said on asked about Rahman’s music in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
“What does AR Rahman know about ghazals? He will never use a ghazal in his films. All they do is pick up tunes from the West,” Jagjit accused.
He also blasted Gulzar.
“What to say if Gulzar writes such songs. He can say ‘no’ if he wants. He is a man from great literary background,” an angred Singh said.
He criticised contemporary music directors of Bollywood as well. “Earlier, in the 60s and 70s, 90% of the music was based on the ghazal. Today, there's no poetry in the phrasing. It's all western and the language is tapori - a mix of English and Hindi. What kind of lyrics are Pappu can't dance saala?” Jagjit questioned.
It's a shocker.Nobody would have expected this from Jagjit Singh.He seemed a very prgmatic and a humble person.Well,not any more.With this outburst,he appears to be jealous that he is not getting as much fame as ARR is getting.
The counter question to Jagjit Singh should be,can he sing any other variety of songs other than Ghazals and Bhajans??
The answer is NO.
Nobody will say that Rahman lacks variety.His compositions all through these years stand testimony to this.
It's strange that Jagjit Singh seems to conviniently forget the fact that it's not Rahman who decides whether a film needs a Gahzal or not.It's the film situation that demands it,surely Jagjit Sigh will know this simple fact.If any film director asks for a Ghazal,surely Rahman will compose a beautiful Ghazal.
An elderly person like Jagjit Singh should have stayed away from these petty politics.
He has let down his fans.He has tarnished his own image.
One thing is sure, whatever Jagjit or any body else says about Rahman,Rahman won't respond to such silly comments.He is a very simple and down to earth person and he will continue striving for excellence.
Jagjit Singh has later tried to reduce the impact of his empty rhetoric.
Jagjit clarifies, “Actually what I meant was Rahman, being an innovative award-winning composer who connects with today’s Gen-Next, should also include ghazals written by stalwarts like Gulzar in his film repertoire.Of late, he has been confining himself to jazzy and folksy-fusion Indi-pop.Since he is versatile enough, he should be able to come up with fabulous ghazals and popularise them.”
He even says if Rahman composes Ghazals,he is ready to sing for Rahman..
Now I leave it there,on what was Jagjit Singh's intention in saying all these things...
1 comment:
Jagjit Singh makes a good point about the Westernisation of Indian music but he is guilty of the same thing. I like his and Chitra's singing but I can never listen to his music because it is full of guitars, bass guitar, synths, etc. I wish he would stick only to traditional instruments. The best ghazal composed were by Khayyam. Nothing can compare to the Umrao Jaan soundtrack. The tradional percussion, sarangi, sitar, etc is beautiful.
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