Jagjit Kaur is an Indian singer and wife of famous Indian music composer Mohammed Zahur Khayyam (aka Khayyam). He died on August 15, 2021.
Wiki/Biography
Jagjit Kaur was born in 1931 (age 93 years; at time of death) in Punjab. From childhood, he was interested in movies and music and often participated in cultural programs organized at his school.
Family, Caste & Husband
He was born into a noble Punjabi Zamindar family. She married veteran music composer, Mohammed Zahur Khayyam in 1954. She had a son named Pradeep Khayyam, who died of a heart attack on 25 March 2012.
Khayyam with his wife and son
Career
He made his singing debut with the Punjabi film “Posti (1950).” He made his Bollywood debut as a singer with the film “Dil-E-Nadaan (1953)” under the composition of Ghulam Mohammed. He sang three songs in the film- “Muhabbat Ki Dhun Bekararo Se Poochho,” “Chanda Gaye Ragni Cham Cham Barse,” and “Khamosh Zindagi Ko Ek Afsana Mil Gaya.” However, it did not help him gain much recognition.
After a decade of her marriage with Khayyam, she sang the best song of her career titled ‘Tum Apna Ranj-O-Gham’ from the movie “Shagoon (1964).” The song later became the benchmark of his career.
Famous Songs
- ‘Kahmosh Zindagi Ko Afsaanaa Mil Gayaa’ from the movie “Dil-e-Nadan (1953)”
- ‘Pehle To Ankh Milana’ from the movie “Shola Aur Shabnam (1961)”
- ‘Tum Apna Rang–o-Gham Apni Pareshani Mujhe De Do’ from the movie “Shagoon (1964)”
- ‘Dekho Dekho Ji Gori Sasural Chali’ from the movie “Shagoon (1964)”
- ‘Nain Milake Pyar Jata Ke Aag Laga Dee’ from the movie “Mera Bhai Mera Dushman (1967)”
- ‘Chale Aao Saiyan Rangeele Main Vaari Re’ (with Pamela Chopra) from the movie “Bazaar (1982)”
- ‘Dekh Lo Aaj Humko Jee Bhar Ke’ from the movie “Bazaar (1982)”
- ‘Kaahe Ko Byahi bides’ from the movie “Umrao Jaan (1981)”
- ‘Saada Chidiya Da Chamba Vai’ from the movie “Kabhi Kabhi (1976)”
Address
7th Floor, Dakshina Apartments,
Juhu, Mumbai
Favorite Things
Death
On August 15, 2021, at the age of 93, Jagjit Kaur breathed her last at her residence in Mumbai. He died of an age-related illness. He was cremated at Pawan Hans Crematorium, SV Road Vile Parle, Mumbai.
Facts
- Jagjit likes listening to music and watching movies.
- Jagjit is known for his country voice and strong ability to deliver folk music. Music experts believe that his vocals flow from high to low notes, acquiring a soft finish.
- Jagjit’s singing career began with the film “Posti (1950).” It is also the first Punjabi film, where Asha Bhosle has lent her voice.
- Jagjit’s singing talent was first noticed by Khayyam during a music concert, where he sang classical songs. Khayyam approached her and offered her to sing for “Shola Aur Shabnam (1961).” He sang a solo and a duet with Mohammed Rafi in the film. Since then, Khayyam and Jagjit’s musical bond has never been broken.
- Jagjit and Khayyam meet for the first time at the Dadar Railway Station flyover bridge, where Jagjit follows him. At first, Jagjit was worried, mistaking him for a stalker. When Khayyam introduced himself as a music composer to her, she calmed down.
Jagjit Kaur with Khayyam
- Jagjit’s father opposes her marriage to Khayyam, but she is determined to marry only Khayyam. Although her father disapproved, her marriage to Khayyam was one of the first interracial marriages in the film industry.
- Even in her short singing career, she became one of Bollywood’s most versatile singers. From folk songs like ‘Ladi Re Ladi’ from “Shola Aur Shabnam (1961)” to soft melodies like ‘Tum Apna Ranj-O-Gham’ from “Shagoon (1964),” Jagjit has touched every shade of singing. His traditional wedding songs, such as “Kaahe Ko Byahi Bides,” “Chale Aao Saiyyan” and “Dekh Lo Aaj Humko,” are all for Khayyam and are considered gems.
- Although, she has sung fewer songs than her contemporaries Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar; all his songs are considered gems.
Jagjit Kaur and Khayyam with Asha Bhosle
- In an Interview, Jagjit Kaur told that even after she sang timeless classics like ‘Tum Apna Ranj-O-Gham’ from “Shagoon (1964),” Khayyam never suggested her name to the producers.
- When Khayyam turned 90, Khayyam and Jagjit decided to donate all their earnings to their charitable trust, ‘Khayyam Jagjeet Kaur KPG Charitable Trust.’ While talking about it, Khayyam said,
I have decided that I will donate my entire wealth to support artists and technicians, who are in need in the film industry. I have given everything I have to my country.”
Khayyam Jagjeet Kaur KPG Charitable Trust
- Reportedly, Jagjit Kaur is a classmate of the former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh. In 2006, Manmohan took time out of his busy schedule to meet Jagjit Kaur and her husband, Khayyam.
Jagjit Kaur and Khayyam with Manmohan Singh
- In August 2019, Khayyam fell while trying to get up from an armchair at home and had to be admitted to Sujay Hospital in Juhu. Following the incident, Jagjit experienced an alarming drop in his blood sugar count. Jagjit and Khayyam were given adjoining cabins named ‘Lily’ and ‘Tulip’ in the hospital. Khayyam died on 19 August 2019 due to a heart attack.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
