Well, for all those who say, heritage sites in Hyderabad are not well-maintained (and I do agree with all those people who say so), here's one that stands out in contrast, proving, that if the authorities (the Archaeological Society of India) take the necessary measures, the monuments can be maintained extremely well.The Jagjit Singh concert at the Taramati, was therefore as much a treat for music-lovers as for lovers of heritage structures.
And speaking to Jagjit Singh was quite the adventure of my journalistic career. I waited for him in the green-room at Taramati before the show. However, the man landed up at the venue only minutes before his show was scheduled to start. Well, that meant, his tabla player ushered me out of the green-room saying, "Not now...After the show...pakka." So, we wait through the show. (No complaints, though, for the show was quite fabulous as he belted out one beautiful ghazal after another under the beautiful starry sky). Moreover, the APTDC (organisers) had arranged for quite a nice spread.
However, after the show, Jagjit ji hopped ontp his c
ar...and left! Well...no...that wasn't that, for we (that would be another desperate reporter from a website and desperate and sleepy old me) hopped onto the musicians' car and followed him! Yeah, and that too...till the far end of the city, quite literally, for he was put up at the Golconda resorts, some 25 km away from civilisation!And then, we found him, whisky glass in hand and surrounded by friends, wife Chitra, and other hanger-ons who were only too happy to share the table with him!
But he did step out for a brief chat...brief...but candid! After all, a mere 7-8 minute chat, but after more than two glasses of whisky...can be entertaining. So, he answered questions with a humour, which on quite a wry strain, generated smiles, less out of the inherent wit, and more because he was, well, Jagjit Singh!
Click on this link for the interview that was published in Hyderabad Times, dated December 12:
