Jagjit Singh

Name: Jagjit Singh
Birthday: Saturday, February 08, 1941
Star Sign : Aquarius
First Film : Aankhon Aankhon Mein










BIOGRAPHY

Jagjit Singh (February 8, 1941 - ) is a popular singer of ghazals in Hindi/Urdu and Punjabi, a composer and also a playback singer in Bollywood. Jag and Jit (both Hindi words) mean "World" and "Victory" respectively, thus the name meaning of the name is One who has won the world.

Jagjit Singh was born in Ganganagar (also called "SriGanganager"), Rajasthan. His father Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman, employed with the Government of India, originally hailed from Dalla village in Ropar district of Punjab and his mother Sardarni Bachchan Kaur came from deeply religious Sokhi family of Ottallan village near Samralla. His siblings include four sisters and two brothers and he is fondly called Jeet by his family. Although his late father wanted him to pursue IAS (a prestigious degree in Indian Administrative Service) as a career, he was later happy with his son's achievements in the world of music. Jagjit went to Khalsa High School at Ganganagar. He studied Sciences during higher secondary (after matriculation) from Government College, Ganganagar. He graduated in the Arts stream from DAV College, Jalandhar. He also acquired a Post Graduate Degree in History from Kurukshetra University, Haryana.

His association with music goes back to his childhood. He learnt music under Pandit Chaganlal Sharma for two years in Ganganagar, later for six years under Ustad Jamaal Khan of Sainia Gharana, under whom he learnt forms of Indian Classical Music such as Khayal, Thumri and Dhrupad. He was willing to learn from lesser known but talented musicians throughout his college days. The Vice Chancellor of Punjab and Kurukshetra University, Late Professor Surajbhan encouraged his interest in music. He arrived in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1965 in search for better opportunities as a career musician and singer. Like any other struggler, he too had his share of trials and tribulations. He lived as a paying guest and accepted every offer he received - be it advertisement jingles or performances at weddings and parties.