Music is the soul of human body. It refreshes our mind and prepares us to think beyond our imagination. With the passing time it has also changed its course to varying tastes.
In the past few months, we have lost some great souls of the music fraternity like Ghazal maestro, Jagjeet Singh and Balladeer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Both of them gave a new meaning to music in their own ways.
We have many Ghazal singers like Ghulam Ali, Bhupinder Singh and Pankaj Udhas. But, Jagjeet Singh was specially known for his soothing voice, new style, meaningful lyrics and above all deep, heart touching melodies which brought tears in our eyes. Some of his masterpieces were- "Woh barish ka mausam, woh kagaz ki kasti" leaves behind the smell of rainy season and gets back the childhood memories. "Tum itna kyon muskura rahi ho, kya gham hai jo chhipa rahi ho" what a thought, hiding pain behind plauful smile, its all unimaginable. His renditions gave a new meaning to these songs. Deep and touching, that is the essence of songs, which we experience in his ghazals till date. It can never be old and outdated and will go on for a long long time.
Among other legends is also Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, whom we have lost recently. He was not only a singer,but also poet, lyricist, writer and music composer, all in one. He was a legend and visionary singer. Through his music, he wanted upliftment of society. His songs had a patriotic flavour. He wanted us to see the plight of the unfortunate downtrodden and with these songs, he spread the message of national integrity. Sometimes his songs carried us beyond our thoughts. Some of his soulful numbers are -
'Ganga amar Ma, Padda amar Ma, amar dui chokhe dui joler dhara Meghna, Jamuna', means whether India or Bangladesh, both are Mothers to me, partition doesn't matter.Further he sings,'Aiki asha, bhalobasha, kanna, hanshir aiki bhasha, Doyel, Koyel pakhir gane, aiki jontrona', whats a brillint thought - same language, same hopes, even birds sings in same pain, then why this unnecessary border line?
The poors are always exploited by rich, but, rich can never see the pain and the plight of the poor, who toil hard to make their both ends meet. For them he sings,'Amader jiboner ghame bheja sorirer binimoye pothe chole dola. Juge-juge chhuti mora kandhe niye dolati, deho bhenge-bhenge paure, ghume chokh dhulu-dhulu Raja-moharajader, amader gham jhore paure', but, nobody cares to understand their pains. But, he tried his best to leave a message through his songs.
Here is another piece,'Manush manusher jonno, jibon jiboner jonno, ektu sahanubhti ki manush dite pare na, o bondhu'. Here he requests all to have love,brotherhood and some mercy, that should be the main aim of our life. In one of his songs, he invites the people to come and enjoy life and forget misery and death like,'Aj jibon khunje pabi chhute chhute aye, maron bhule giye chhute-chhte aye, hanshi niye aye ar banshi niye aye, juger notun digonte sob chhute-chhute aye, bhalobashar panna, hire kuriye nibi aye, phagun phuler anonde sob chhute-chhute aye.
Through his song he asks Mother Ganga that by seeing his children in despair and crying in pains, how she can quitely flow, 'Bistirno duparer, osonkho manusher, hahakar suneyo, nissobde, nirobe, O Ganga tumi boichho keno'. In another song, 'O malik sara jibon kandale jokhon, amaye megh kore dao, tobu kandte parbo paurer sukhe, eiki bhalo noye' he requests God to let him cry for others than to cry on your own miseries. In a song, he said, I am a nomad, whole world is my family, thats why I forget my own abode.'Ami aik jajabor, prithibi amake apon korechhe, bhulechhi nijer ghaur. Ami Gangar theke Missisipi hoye Volgar roop dekhechhi, Ottowar theke Austria hoye Pariser dhulo mekhechhi, ami ellorar theke rong niye dure Chikago sohore diyechhi, Ghaliber sher Tashkonter minare bose sunechhi. Mark Twainer somadhite bose Gorkyr katha bhebechhi, bare-bare ami pather tane path ke korecchi ghaur, tai ami jajabor'. He assumed whole world as his own home and he released his imagination to soar.
All the songs and its impact penetrate deep inside our hearts. Music can change our lives and imaginative power and forces us to take some important steps to improve others' life as well. Its very essential for society and country's benefit and is an easy path to reach other's hearts. He was a true revolutionary.
These singers were our valuable treasures, which we have lost and the vacuum can never be filled. These legends dedicated their life to music, through which, they spread the message of love, brotherhood, national integration, patriotism and opened our eyes to see the national treasures we have in abundance.
The world will remember them for a long, long time to come. They will allways remain immortal in our hearts.
