Jagjit Singh challenges AR Rahman

Jagjit Singh challenges AR Rahman

Ghazal maestro challenges Rahman to compose ghazals

AR Rahman's fans maybe raving about the 'Slumdog Millionaire' soundtrack, but that hasn't stopped Rahman from being criticised. For ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, Rahman's music is not 'real music'; and he has challenged the Oscar nominated music composer to sing ghazals.

"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'.

The ghazal maestro has accused Rahman of replicating western tunes; and he is also not impressed with Gulzar's poetry.

"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.

However, his fellow ghazal singer - Pankaj Udhas does not agree. "Rahman is a very talented artist; and yes, he can compose very good ghazals too," Udhas said.

Bollywood is, however, divided on Jagjit Singh's response to Slumdog's music.

Popular singer Alka Yagnik feels Bollywood music is situtional. "Music connected to films is situational, Music directors are asked to compose songs accoding to the script of the film."

While Yagnik feels Bollywood music is made accoding to the script, singer-composer Sonu Nigam completely agrees with Jagjit Singh. "Bollywood music is not real music, so that way I agree with Jagjitji, but Rahman is very talanted," he said.

Music director Lalit sen also agrees with Jagit Singh. "Whenever Jagjitji says something, it is always good...I completely agrees with him," he said. But, his bother and co-music director Jatin Sen echos Alka Yagnik's views. "We make music according to the script, but Jagitji is also not worng. There are no films nowadays where we can put ghazals, so we have to keep the script in mind."

As the debate continues, music composer Adhesh Srivastav feels Rahman has composed some wonderful music. "Rahman has made some beautiful classical compositions like Dil Se, where he has used Darbari Raga and Khwaja Mere Khwaja, so he can definately compose ghazals."

Rahman may have bagged several international awards, but the real test of Rahman's music lies in the reactions it evokes back home in India.

Timesnow.com

tch tch...sour grapes 😛

Kuch to loge kahenge...logon ka kaam hai kehna 😉

^ Agree

on WHAT ground does he say dat AR rehman is nyt talented....sumone who can compose songs like maa tujhe salam when 25-26 has to be a genius!!

whats wrong with him first adnan sami ( saying he is not a singer) and now A.R.Rehman!

sour grapes.......😡.........leave the poor guy alone.........he's brought so much glory to ur fraternity & country......instead of applauding his efforts they are busy berating him.......

Who says AR Rehman's music is not real music. Even if his tunes have a western touch to them, they are heavy on Indian/Carnatic classical music. ARR uses classical music like no one does- he makes it appealing to everyone, and not just the elite.

Talking about ghazals, has Jagjit Singh heard 'Dil gira dafatan' from 'Delhi-6'? It's a beautiful ghazal and sung very well by Ash Singh.

ARR is the most versatile composer- he can compose bhajans, qawalis, sufi songs, rock numbers, romantic numbers, wedding songs- all in one album! It takes a genius like ARR to mix so many genres in one album like he has in Delhi-6!

I am sorry Jagjit ji, I have tremendous respect for your talent but I don't agree with your views on ARR. Is he challenging ARR to include him in his next album?

I really respect Jagjit Singh as a singer....some of my all time fav. songs have been sung by him.

I liek some of Jagjit Singh's music, he is very talented

You're right Manali! Besides, not a lot of people listen to ghazals, and AR Rahman is a musical genius, something Jagjit Singh will never be! All the music he composed for films last year were successful! Besides, I'm a die-hard AR Rahman fan!!