Music world mourns death of Jagjit Singh

Mumbai, Oct 10 (IANS) Well known singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle Monday mourned the death of one of their own - renowned ghazal singer Jagjit Singh who passed away at a hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage at the age of 70, leaving a vacuum in the world of music.

'I am in shock after hearing about Jagjitji's death. It is such a big loss, an end of an era. He was one artist who never needed films to get popular. He was an instant hit,' said singing legend Lata Mangeshkar.

'I can't imagine the days when I will no longer be able to hear his silken voice, no longer be able to talk to him or listen to his new songs. Now his old ghazals is all we have. His soothing voice, his warmhearted nature are all gone now. He was the pride of India. I also feel bad for his wife Chitra, she is all alone now,' said Asha Bhosle.

An upset Usha Uthup added that she could not even begin to describe her sadness.

'I can't even begin to tell you how sad I am. It is a horrible feeling. I have known him for 42 years of my singing career. What a wonderful human being he was. I cannot forget his insistence on using some musical instruments that no one else did. It is such a loss. Love you Jagjit,' Uthup said in a choked voice.

Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas said he was 'shattered and devastated'. 'I didn't want to hear this news. I was hanging on a thin tread of hope that Jagjitji will remain with us. His style was incomparable. He revolutionised the entire approach of this form of singing and gave a new dimension to non-film music.'

Breathing his last at 8 a.m. Monday, Singh was admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Sep 23 after he suffered brain haemorrhage. He is survived by his wife Chitra Singh.