March 29, 2012
Washingtonians will have the privilege of taking a melodiously romantic trip with India’s Jaswinder Singh. Friday, April 6, 7:00pm — Sheraton Tyson is where the cruise begins.
By Sam Prasad Jillella – Special to MYDOSTI.COM
March 29, 2012
Washingtonians will have the privilege of taking a melodiously romantic trip with India’s Jaswinder Singh. Friday, April 6, 7:00pm — Sheraton Tyson is where the cruise begins.
By Sam Prasad Jillella – Special to MYDOSTI.COM
WASHINHTON DC — Awarded ‘The Young Ghazal Maestro’ title by the Indian Music Academy, Jaswinder Singh’s musical excellence is a perfect example of ‘nature and nurture’ working in concert.
“Young Ghazal Maestro” Jaswinder Singh: Gifted with a soulful silky-voice, and conditioned by a meticulous training regimen, Jaswinder will thrill Washington ghazal-lovers (Concert Tickets available at MYDOSTI.COM)
Music is in his family history and chemistry, and he is hard-working. The result — Jaswinder keeps pushing boundaries. He’s hot on the box!
In an interview with MYDOSTI.COM, a soft-spoken Jaswinder said: “I am from a simple family — a simple, dedicated and disciplined musical family. My dad, Kuldip Singh, a composer and music director, was my first teacher.”
Born in Mumbai, Jaswinder Singh obtained his initial training from his father, before joining the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya where he pursued his education in music. He was trained in classical singing by Dr Sushila Pohankar and Pt Ajay Pohankar.
“I am very fond of music. I listen to every form of music. I studied Western music, for a while. I play piano and violin. Very early in my musical life, I took a liking for ghazals,” says Jaswinder.
Ghazals have been introduced to South Asia through Sufism, the mystical form of Islam. It is possible to understand ghazal poetry well if you are familiar with Sufism. Many of the major ghazal poets were either avowed Sufis themselves (like Rumi or Hafiz), or were sympathizers with Sufi ideas.
Most ghazals can be viewed in a spiritual context, with the ‘Beloved’ being a metaphor for ‘God,’ or the poet's spiritual master. It is the intense Divine Love of Sufism that serves as a model for all the forms of love found in ghazal poetry.
Ghazal scholars agree that some ghazal couplets are exclusively about “Divine Love,” others are about "earthly love," but many of them can be interpreted in either context.
Traditionally invoking melancholy, love, and longing, ghazals are often sung by Iranian, Afghan, Pakistani, and Indian musicians. The form has roots in seventh-century Arabia, and gained prominence in the thirteenth- and fourteenth-century because of such Persian poets as Rumi and Hafiz and later due to Indian poets such as Mirza Ghalib.
A ghazal is a short poem composed of a series of about 5 to 15 couplets, each of which stands independently on its own as a poetic thought. Jaswinder explains: “The meaning of ‘ghazal’ is ‘conversation’ — a conversation with your beloved, with your lover. I have always loved ghazals, and been singing ghazals professionally since 15 years.”
Jaswinder Singh performed over 300 live concerts and, besides ghazal, specializes in Sufi and foot-tapping Punjabi songs. Anywhere he performs he creates unforgettable moments for his audience. He is earning comparisons to ghazal legends Gulam Ali, Jagjit Singh, and Pankaj Udhas.
Jaswinder has been a favorite among the South Asian community in North America and Canada. He frequently performs at ghazal programs in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Singapore, Malaysia, Muscat and other cities.
After years of fine tuning, he has perfected his art that separates him from the ordinary.
Sa re ga ma- HMV, one of the biggest music archives in India recently launched a music album “Ishq Nahin Asaan” comprising all the songs sung by the young ghazal sensation Jaswinder Singh.
Earlier he has released “Yours Truly” & “Dilkash” by Tips Music and has proved himself as a successor to legendary ghazal singers Pankaj Udhas and Jagjit Singh. This album indeed is going to add the exclusivity to the genre.
He has also been awarded the Best Singer and has stood First in the Mega finals of the most popular ZeeTV’s musical program Sa-Re-Ga-Ma. He sang for the film ‘Train to Pakistan & Amritsar.’
He sang on several Indian national and regional TV stations — Discovery Of India, Chitrahaar(DD1), Kacchi Kandh (Alpha Punjabi), Ittafaaq(ZEE), Raja Ka Baaja (DD1), are a few to mention.
Gifted with a soft, silky voice, and conditioned by a meticulous training regimen, he has proven to be an artist who has come a long way — and, he’s here to stay.
The April 6th concert of Jaswinder Singh, labeled ISHQ 2012, is hosted by Lavika Bhagat Singh of ‘One Entertainment.’ Thanks to One Entertainment, Jaswinder says he loves his Washington-fans.
A sneak preview of the soulful singing of Jaswinder Singh
When MYDOSTI.COM asked, “what do you have to tell Washingtonians?” a jubilant Jaswinder Singh articulated:
“After the death of Jagjit Singh there is a vacuum, and I represent the younger generation. I want your love, your support…
Come. Join me on the ghazal-cruise. You will love it!”
Special By MyDosti.com
