Jagjit Singh speaks to Kareena N Gianani on being a family man, a content celebrity and giving up luxuries sans regret
At 66, Jagjit Singh is in high spirits. Clad in a cool peach T-shirt and khakis, he says his ritual of a morning walk and breakfast with friends at Gallops restaurant at Mahalaxmi Racecourse is something he looks forward to. And rightly so.
One look at the table seating Singh and his buddies sharing a joke, and you know what he is talking about. “This is what being a silver is all about. Surrendering to one’s family and dear ones,” he smiles warmly.
Singh realised age was catching up long before he was 60 and promptly changed his lifestyle and attitude to avoid a rude shock. “I’ve always loved my work and took great pride in doing up to 40 concerts a month. But at 55, I sat back and decided not to go on like that,” he says.
Singh soon cut down on work and started enjoying solitary moments with his wife and grandchildren. Other alterations followed. “I made it quite momentous,” Singh grins.
“Walking, exercising, giving up red meat — I also surprised myself when I suddenly said no to partying, drinking and smoking.” No excuses and withdrawal symptoms for this maestro. Singh says he came down to a straight naught after 20 cigarettes a day. It’s not that big a deal, really, he says.
“I see so many around me desperate to hold on to age and their old life. It’s your approach that counts. You get it right and you’ll have a smooth transition to this phase of life. If you don’t, it will leave you disgruntled.”
Singh admits that the process of ageing is different if you are well-known. “In my case, age has just made life better.” He takes pleasure when someone seeks advice, considers him wise and touches his feet at social gatherings. He often feels this has helped him age gracefully — all on his terms.
Singh is glad that he can stick to his guns and is in a position to decline offers if he senses interference. “Being a famous silver helps,” he says modestly. “But that doesn’t mean I am less adjusting,” he adds. “In fact, I feel a sense of selflessness. We tend to hold grudges in our youth — everything seems threatening. Now, I don’t succumb to stress because it’s just not worth it.”
Singh catches his friends’ conversation at the next table and hears the word buddhapa (old age). “Kaun buddhape ki baatein kar raha hai yahaan?” he turns and asks with a smile. The group assures him they aren’t discussing him and Singh turns back. He thinks for a moment and talks about the changes age ushers that one cannot shrug off.
“Sometimes, I am taken aback at the limitations. For instance, your sex life changes remarkably and there’s nothing you can really do about it, is there? You just make peace with the fact that you may never feel that thrill of a romance.”
If there’s one promise Singh plans to keep, it’s that of having his plate full. For this ghazal singer, there’s a lot to look forward to. “I have given up the limelight but not stepped down completely. I want to straighten out a few things — first my room and then my life,” he grins. “I will continue my riyaz and want to delve into bhajans instead of ghazals. Maybe I’ll pen a book someday,” he says.
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