KOCHI: The world might be going gaga over A R Rahman’s Oscar winning composition ‘Jai Ho’ but legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh finds the song overrated.
The 68-year-old believes that getting the Academy award was a golden moment in Indian history but the song per se did not deserve the honour. “Getting an Oscar is no doubt a great achievement but the song for which we got the award is not so special. I do not understand on what basis it was awarded,” Singh said at a function where he released his new album ‘Inteha.’ The ghazal maestro said that he did not understand the lyrics of the composition and why it had become so popular that everybody from Indian political parties to international pop bands was eager to use it.
When it was pointed out that the lyrics were penned by Gulzar with whom he had given many hits, Singh said, “When I work with Gulzar I tell him to write poetry which my fans and I can understand.” Singh, who has composed hit music for films such as ‘Arth’ and ‘Saath Saath’ in the 80s does not seem to have a good opinion of today’s Bollywood music either.
“It lacks profound poetry and soulful tunes.”