Though many singers have tried their hands on Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, a song from the 1982 Shabana Azmi film, Arth, nothing touches your heart the way the original track does. Jagjit Singh’s buttery voice makes Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho a timeless classic.

Apart from his work, Jagjit’s personal life also made headlines. On his eighth death anniversary, we look back at Jagjit’s life, his marriage with Chitra Singh, and more.

JAGJIT’S FIRST MEETING WITH CHITRA

Jagjit was already ruling the world of music when he met his wife, Chitra Singh, in a recording studio in 1967.

On their first project together, Chitra didn’t want to record with Jagjit as she found his voice heavy. Chitra later agreed to record the jingle with Jagjit and thus their journey started together. They worked on several projects together, which included many memorable Punjabi Tappe.

JAGJIT AND CHITRA TIED THE KNOT IN 1969

Jagjit and Chitra’s chemistry grew stronger with time but when Jagjit asked Chitra to marry him, she didn’t say yes immediately. Reason being – Chitra was earlier married to Debo Prasad Dutta and they had a daughter together, named Monica.

In 1968, Chitra had parted ways with her husband and was living separately with her daughter. When Chitra didn’t agree to marry Jagjit, he went to her first husband Debo Prasad and asked for Chitra’s hand in marriage. He said, “I want to marry your wife.”

Chitra and Jagjit tied the knot in 1969. They became proud parents to their son Vivek.

THEIR SON’S DEATH IN 1990

Tragedy struck Jagjit’s family when Vivek died in a car accident at the age of 20 in 1990.

Vivek’s death left a deep void in Chitra’s life. She left the world of music and took the path of spirituality. Jagjit too took a break from music for a year. He, however, returned to the world of music only to make it his instrument to express his sorrow.

This wasn’t the end of their difficult time. Monica, Chitra’s daughter from the first marriage, committed suicide after her failed marriage in 2009. This left both Jagjit and Chitra heart broken.

JAGJIT PASSED AWAY IN 2011

Two years after Monica’s death, Chitra lost her husband too. Known to be The King Of Ghazals, Jagjit Singh ruled the world of music till he breathed his last on October 10, 2011.

Jagjit and Chitra together pulled ghazal out of the elite class drawing rooms and brought it to the masses. It has been eight years since Jagjit Singh passed away but his voice continues to resonate with ghazal aficionados around the world.