Weekend Exclusive | Television writing is a monotonous job: Writer-Actor-Singer Ajay Jhingran

A singer with an unconventional voice; from being an award winning television writer he landed in the field of singing which was his core passion. He is a singer/composer/lyricist a combination which is hard to find in Bollywood. Rustic style, unconventional voice and is majorly influenced by Indian Sufi Music Genre. Yes I am talking about a man who gave such amazing numbers like Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi, Mann ye bawra, Khoya Khoya Chand and he had written the folk blockbuster hit of the last decade "tujhe lage na najaria" sung by Sonu Nigam.

Adgully caught up with Ajay Jhingran, a singer/composer/lyricist to know more about him and his journey. As a musician and lyricist he has created good music with a great combination of words; the combination which actually worked and ruled the hearts of many.

Commenting on his journey, he said, "My musical journey has been quite satisfactory as I had sung those kinds of song which I eventually wanted to sing with my specific style. The work done by and the praise which I got through the audience of India gave me clear pictures that yes my journey till date has been really beautiful. Also I am all set to produce great music in upcoming years too which will make my journey immortal."

Sharing some of the key high points of his journey, he said, "Few key points of my journey include: as i believe in producing musical masterpieces rather than just creating anything which will be just money minting to me. I had taken allot of risks in my life too just to fulfill my passion of being a composer, lyricist and singer, there was a time when I was one of the highest paid television writer and then also the time came in my life when I was just struggling to become a singer while leaving behind my television writing which was helping me to maintain a good standard of living in Mumbai. I met music legends like Sonu Nigam, Sudhir Mishra and Javed Akhtar and meeting them was always very inspirational in my life."

He belongs to a musical family where the house was always filled with ambience of classical music and Katthak. So it's quite obvious that Jhingran got interested in singing. He says, "I had a very different voice so I was worried that will my voice be accepted in the music industry as a singer or not? But my grandfather motivated me made me realize that I am naturally good and I am a singer with traditional voice, I listened to him and fortunately from that time onwards things have fallen in place."

Jhingran has also been a successful writer but undoubtedly he loves singing but also loves writing songs as compared to television serial writing. He feels that television writing is a very monotonous job, people work in television generally to earn money rather in place of working for passion. "I felt deep within that I wasn't satisfied with what I was doing so I left everything behind and I started my creative life afresh with song writing and singing," he added.

Well! if we look at today's scenario, there are so many shows of "singing genre,' so when asked Jhingran whether singing is becoming a fashion more than profession, he said, "Yes, it is correct there are many shows happening, but I dismay the fact that singing shows are creating a fashion wave through which is taking singing as a fashion."

He believes that singing is a pure form of art, not anyone or everyone can sing, singing needs allot of hard work, dedication and passion and is also of the opinion that reality singing shows give a platform to deserving singers to perform their art publically and get praise and money to survive.

Very proudly Jhingran chalked out some his best works which includes his first work as the lyricist for the album of Sonu Nigam which was named as Sanskar where he penned down all the songs in it. He also loves his performance as the singer of Sudhir Mishra's "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" and "Khoya Khoya Chand" also Billu Bhayankar from Billu Barbar is a kind of work which he really likes.

Singing has rich background and when it comes to singing who other than Late Mohammad Rafi Saheb, be a singer's inspiration. Rafi Saheb's voice modulation, vocal enactment & diction were just unbeatable and amazing. Rafi Saheb has been his singing superhero.

Some of his recent works include, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Rakth, Page 3, Athithi Tum Kab Jaoge, Aakrosh and Billu Barber. Currently Ajay is working on the lyrics of the Indian Tourism Board Anthem. Such a talented person, who had seen adversity, struggle, hype and success throughout his career, has a long way ahead! | By Aanchal Kohli [aanchal(at)adgully.com]