‘I was craving for invite’
Srinagar, Dec 8: Day after the You-Tube sensation, Terra Naomi, performed live on the banks of Dal Lake, the environs would again come live on Wednesday when the Ghazal maestro, Jagit Singh, would enthrall the audience with his melodious voice.
 The long wait would come to an end after more than 12 years when Singh had performed in a private concert.
 “Kuch Na Kuch to Zaroor Hona Hai, Saamna Kal Tou Aap Ke Sath Hona Hai”, Singh sang the couplet for people of Kashmir at a press conference here.
 Considered to be one of the pioneers of the modern Ghazal, Singh, turned nostalgic. “I was eagerly waiting for the day when people of Kashmir would invite me again to perform here.  The day has come finally and my dream has come true again,” said Singh.
 Singh who shot to fame with some memorable numbers including Woh Kaagaz Ki Kishtee, Chitee Na Koi Sandesh, Tum Itna Jo Muskara  Rahay Hou, said he remembered performing in Kashmir in 1997. “I performed for a very select group of people in a private concert. I am happy to come and sing here again. Tomorrow it would be semi public concert,” he said.
 The concert has been organised by Times of India group in collaboration with some local business houses. It would be staged at Sher-i-Kashmir International convention Centre on the banks of Dal lake, where Naomi performed on Monday to send a message across the world for the battered environment.
 The 700 seats at the SKICC have already been sold out. “I   expect more people to come. 700 seats are not enough for a public concert but at the same time an open concert could not be organized due to cold weather,” Singh said.
 The Ghazal King, however, promised to visit Kashmir again in summers.
 “I will be coming again in summers to perform for the people,” Singh informed.
 When asked for the message he wanted to send across to people, Singh said music itself was a big message. “I sing Ghazals, which are full of love. I want a good audience.”
 He had a word of advice for the amateur and struggling singers. “I was born in Rajasthan and had to struggle hard but I finally succeeded. So would you but the only condition is to struggle hard,” he said.
 Singh also had a suggestion for the media.
 “You have been only pinpointing bad things in Kashmir. There are good things, which are also happening, highlight them only,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Dec 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Dec 2009 00:00:00 IST