Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Tribute to Jagjit Singh Ji – Celebrating His Legacy Through My Concerts

 

A Journey Through My Ghazal Tributes to Jagjit Singh

The journey of paying tribute to the legendary Jagjit Singh ji has been one of the most emotional and fulfilling chapters of my musical career. Each concert dedicated to him has been not just a performance, but a heartfelt remembrance of the maestro whose voice continues to echo in every ghazal lover’s heart.


Sajda – The First Tribute 


“Shishir Parkhie performing live at Sajda, his first tribute concert to Jagjit Singh held at Scientific Society Hall, Nagpur, in 2011.”

My first tribute concert titled “Sajda” was held at the Scientific Society Hall, Nagpur, soon after Jagjit Singh ji’s sad demise. The memories of that evening are still vivid — the hall was filled with emotions, and every song carried a deep sense of loss and reverence. It was my humble offering to the man whose music had been my greatest inspiration.

Siyahat – A Journey Through Emotions 

In 2013, my album Siyahat was released by Saregama (HMV). They wanted me to perform the ghazals live, recording videos for the album. For the concert, it was suggested that I present my album ghazals in the first half, and dedicate the second half as a tribute to Jagjit Singh Ji. This concert was held on The World Music Day.

“Shishir Parkhie performing ghazals from his album ‘Siyahat – A Journey Through Emotions’ during a special concert that also featured a heartfelt tribute to Jagjit Singh Ji. The event was presented by Saregama (HMV) in 2013.”

The list for the tribute segment, provided by Saregama, included timeless ghazals and nazms like“Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar”,“Ye Daulat Bhi Le Lo”,“Aahista Aahista”,“Baat Niklegi Toh Door Talak Jaayegi”.
All the performances from this concert are available on Saregama’s official YouTube channel, preserving the legacy for audiences everywhere.

Ek Shaam Jagjit Singh Ke Naam – A Tribute Ghazal Concert 


Poster for "Ek Shaam Jagjit Singh Ke Naam" ghazal concert featuring Shishir Parkhie, held during Sharda Mahotsav 2014 in Nagpur.

I performed "Ek Shaam Jagjit Singh Ke Naam" (An Evening in the Name of Jagjit Singh) as part of the grand Sharda Mahotsav 2014 in Nagpur, organized by Sharda Chowk Mitra Shardotsav Mandal. It was a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Jagjit Singh, and I was delighted to bring his timeless ghazals to life for the audience. Being part of Vidarbha's largest Sharda Mahotsav and connecting with music lovers through his immortal melodies was truly unforgettable.

Legacy of a Legend – Sai Sabhagrah, Nagpur 

After the success of Sajda, I presented another major tribute concert, “Legacy of a Legend – A Tribute to Jagjit Singh”, at Sai Sabhagrah, Shankar Nagar, Nagpur on 9th October 2015, on the eve of his 4th death anniversary.

“Shishir Parkhie performing at ‘Legacy of a Legend – Tribute to Jagjit Singh’ concert held at Sai Sabhagrah, Nagpur, on the eve of Jagjit Singh Ji’s 4th death anniversary in 2015.”

The evening began with soulful renditions of ghazals like Badi Haseen Raat Thi, Garaj Baras Pyaasi Dharti Par Phir Paani De Moula — each one taking the audience on a journey through the golden era of ghazals. The response was overwhelming. Listeners rejoiced with every familiar melody — Tere Khushboo Mein Base Khat Main Jalata Kaise, Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, and Kal Chaudavi Ki Raat Thi received thunderous applause. This concert was also later telecast on Insync Music Channel.

Forget Me Not – Israel Concert Tour 

Soon after the Nagpur concert, in November 2015, I was invited to perform a special tribute series titled “Forget Me Not – A Tribute to Jagjit Singh” in Israel.

“Official poster of Shishir Parkhie’s Israel concert tour ‘Forget Me Not – Tribute to Jagjit Singh,’ held in November 2015 at Heikhal HaTarbut Dimona, Ramle, and Matnas Ashdod. All shows were houseful, attended by Indian music lovers in Israel.”

The concerts were held at: Heikhal HaTarbut, Dimona – 16th November 2015, Heikhal HaTarbut, Ramle – 17th November 2015 & Matnas, Ashdod – 19th November 2015

Each show was houseful, and the response was overwhelming. Many Indians now settled in Israel also attended in large numbers and made the atmosphere truly magical.

One unforgettable incident still makes me smile — a local staff member, who didn’t understand Hindi or Urdu, came up to me after the show and said he had “really enjoyed the performance.” That, to me, was the greatest compliment — a true reminder that music transcends all barriers of language and culture.

Chitthi Na Koi Sandesh – Hits of Jagjit Singh 

Continuing the series of tributes, I presented another concert titled “Chitthi Na Koi Sandesh – Hits of Jagjit Singh” on 31st January 2016 at Mateshwari Bhavan, Jaripatka, Nagpur, organized by Jyeshtha Mitra Mandal.

“Shishir Parkhie performing the heartfelt ghazal ‘Chitthi Na Koi Sandesh’ during his first tribute concert to Jagjit Singh Ji in Nagpur, held just ten days after the maestro’s passing. The audience was deeply moved, with many overcome by emotion.”

This show once again brought alive Jagjit ji’s timeless ghazals — his music that so beautifully blends emotion, melody, and poetry. The audience relived those golden moments with every composition, and I felt blessed to see the unending love people still hold for him.


In Loving Memory

Even today, in every ghazal concert I perform, Jagjit Singh ji’s presence can be felt through his immortal creations. His ghazals continue to find a special place in every show, as audiences lovingly request and sing along.
For me, these tributes are not just performances — they are conversations with the soul of a legend whose music lives on forever.

Jagjit Singh ji will always remain the voice of emotion, the sound of poetry, and the melody of countless hearts.

No comments: