Politicians in Maharashtra mourned the death of Jagjit Singh Monday, saying the ghazal maestro’s absence will be felt by the music fraternity and millions of his fans. Expressing his grief, Governor K Sankaranarayanan conveyed his condolences to Singh’s wife Chitra. “Jagjit Singh was gifted with a rarest kind of voice that made his compositions elegant, beautiful and timeless. His death is particularly shocking as he had few more years of a brilliant singing career still left in him. In his death, Maharashtra has lost one of its proud jewels,” he said in a message. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said: “Jagjit Singh made ghazals a household name. He simplified the otherwise elite form of singing and made it understandable for a common man. In his death, we have lost a popular ghazal maestro.” Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said: “Singh might not be in this world in his physical form today, but he will always be present in our lives in the form of his ghazals and music. His ghazals were simplistic yet profound. His contribution to the spread of indian music in the form of ghazals and bhajans (devotional songs) cannot be forgotten.” People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also paid tribute to Singh and his concern for elephants who were being run over by speeding trains. “Singh’s efforts to help stop the cruelty to these magnificent giants will live on through PETA’s campaign until adequate steps are taken by the government to put their suffering to an end,” a PETA official said. Jagjit Singh had in April appealed to the then railway minister Mamata Banerjee to limit the speed of trains running through elephant corridors. Singh, who died in Mumbai after a brain haemorrhage at the age of 70, will be cremated Tuesday at Chandanwadi cemetery located in Marine Lines area of south Mumbai. Many Bollywood celebrities, including singers, are expected to attend the funeral.
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