‘Music Ko Alag Mat Kariye’: Jagjit Singh’s Timeless Message On Music Beyond Borders

Legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh once offered a powerful reminder that music transcends national boundaries, gently pushing back against a question that sought to label music by geography.

In a vintage interview that has recently resurfaced, the late artist was asked about Pakistani music. Rather than engaging with the regional tag, Singh underscored his belief that art should not be boxed by nationality. He stressed that music’s true essence lies in emotion, melody and sincerity, not in where it was created.

Addressing the topic diplomatically, Singh said in Hindi, “Music ko alag mat kariye… Music, music hai. Chahe unka ho ya hamara ho” , meaning “Don’t separate music, music is music whether it’s theirs or ours”. He added that dividing music by nation had created needless confusion.

The singer also spoke of his admiration for artists across borders, noting that he listened to and respected great performers from all backgrounds regardless of origin. His approach reflected a deep conviction that artistic merit transcends political or cultural divisions.

Jagjit Singh, often called the “King of Ghazals,” reshaped the genre and brought poetic expression into homes across the Indian subcontinent. Beyond his musical legacy, his comments continue to resonate in today’s polarized cultural climate, reminding listeners that true art connects people across boundaries.

Singh passed away in 2011 at the age of 70, but his music and his philosophy of universal artistry remain influential decades later.