Jagjit Singh's demise, a huge loss: Lata Mangeshkar

Mumbai, Oct 10 (PTI) Mourning the loss of Jagjit Singh,
singing legends Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle and fellow
ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas said that his demise has left a
void in the music world.
"It is a great loss for the music industry but it is
a greater personal loss for me. I knew him well. I hoped he
would come out of the coma. But, God willed otherwise. He
worked very hard... sang from the heart. Listening to him,
people got intoxicated," said Lata Mangeshkar.
Expressing grief over the death of the legend, Asha
Bhonsle said that there will never be a person like him again.
"We will never get a person like him again. I last met
him at the GIMA Awards, we sat together and he asked me to
cook some dish for him. When he went in the hospital, we all
thought that he will come out fine from the hospital.
"He had a soothing voice, and was a very cheerful
person. He overcame his personal tragedies with a smile on his
face. I am feeling very sad for Chitra 'bhabhi'," Bhonsle
said.
Udhas said: "I knew him for the last 40 years. We will
never find a person like him who was so dedicated towards his
craft. Music was not a profession for him, it was a passion.
"He was the one who created non-film music in those
days. He took ghazal singing to another level. By nature, he
was a fighter. I have many fond memories with him. He really
left a legacy behind. It is a big loss to the music industry,"
added Udhas.
An emotional Usha Uthup said she still can't believe
that the Singh is no more.
"I can't believe it. It was because of him that ordinary
men could enjoy good Ghazal. We worked together in a jingle
when I was just staring my career. He is the person who
introduced the 12 string guitar and the bass guitar in ghazal
singing, in a way noone could. I spoke to him recently. What a
human being. It is a great loss," said Uthup.
"I first heard him when I attended an event at IIT
Kanpur named 'Music Night by Jagjit and Chitra' while in
school. He was an icon. There is nothing I can say to console
her (Chitra). All I can say is that he will never be
forgotten. I pray to god to give her the strength to recover
from the loss," said Shubha Mudgal.
"Jagjit Ji passes away. One of the saddest days for all
us music lovers. The golden voice will not sing anymore. Rest
in peace," said Shreya Ghoshal. PTI JCH
AGL