Posted on 21 December 2025:
Jitender Singh – Legendary Ghazal Maestro, Music Director & Cultural Visionary
Born on 7th December 1966 in the City of Temples, Jammu, Jitender Singh grew up in a cultured Dogra Jamwal Rajput family, drawing inspiration from his rich heritage. Today, he stands as a celebrated ghazal singer, music director, social activist, and founder of Dogra Samaj Trust Delhi, passionately working to reshape how the world perceives ghazal, Dogra art and culture.
His illustrious career is marked by milestones that blend artistry with service. He composed and performed India’s first-ever musical presentation of the Constitution of India in poetic form, Samvidhan Kavya, written by Sh. S. K. Gautam, IPS. He also had the honor of presenting a grand choir during India’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, broadcast live from India Gate across all satellite channels. His voice has resonated in historic settings, including a performance for Prince Richard Holkar ji Maharaj at Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar, and at the vibrant Tawi Festival in Jammu.
Jitender Singh’s journey has crossed borders, with his recent Australia tour receiving heartfelt acclaim from the Ramakrishna Mission and South Asian diaspora communities. As a vocalist, he has mastered the delicate nuances of ghazal, bhajan, sufi, and Dogri folk music, carrying the essence of Indian tradition to audiences worldwide.
Through his music and activism, Jitender Singh continues to inspire, weaving together heritage and humanity. His life’s work reflects not only the soul of an artist but also the vision of a cultural torchbearer dedicated to uplifting communities and preserving India’s timeless melodies.
A Voice Shaped by Tradition and Innovation
Influenced by diverse gharanas and guided by great maestros, Jitender Singh has evolved a style uniquely his own. His artistry shines across ghazal, Dogri folk, thumri, dadra, bhajan, and sufi, performed with equal ease and depth. The spontaneity of his murkhis, taans, and khatkas adds a rare brilliance, setting him apart from other artists.
Gifted with an exceptional voice noted for its power, range, and sensitivity, Jitender’s talent was recognized in childhood. His early training in Jammu under Pandit R. E. Dassakar and Pandit Hari Krishan were later refined by Pandit Madup Mudgal, who modulated his voice to traverse the octave of khayal. Under the revered Guru-Shishya Parampara, he trained with Pandit Mani Prasad of the Kirana Gharana in Delhi, and mastered music direction under the legendary Pandit Jwala Prasad.
Career Highlights and Contributions
A science graduate from Jammu University and an NCC cadet who walked Rajpath in the Republic Day Parade of 1987, Jitender’s journey blends discipline with artistry. He won a gold medal in light music at the Inter-University National Youth Festival in 1987 and later became a vocalist at Kathak Kendra, Sangeet Natak Akademi.
His compositions have reached national platforms—Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his Durga Stutis during Navratri, and President Ram Nath Kovind released his song “Hello Voters” under the Election Commission of India. As an empaneled artist of ICCR, he has performed abroad with stalwarts like Pt. Birju Maharaj and Ustad Zakir Hussain, and shared stages with legends including Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Smt. Sonal Mansingh, Smt. Shobha Gurtu, and Hariharan.
His versatility extends to theatre and television—he was a META nominee for his background score in Rumi, a musical play in English, and created Andaz-e-Bayan, a 13-episode ghazal series on DD Urdu that brought together the finest ghazal singers of India. Through this, he paid tribute to the timeless tradition of ghazal, composing and singing works of poets like Wali Dakani and many more.
Performances and Global Reach
Jitender Singh, the legendary musician, has graced stages across India and the world with his soulful voice. He performed five Kirtan Darbars during the 300th Year of Khalsa celebrations, organized by the Ministry of Culture, and has appeared on MBC1 Mauritius, the national channel of Mauritius. His creative brilliance shines in projects like Kalidas’ Meghdootam, the first-ever ballet in Sanskrit choreographed by his wife Smt. Kanika Ghosh Singh, and the grand production HIMACHAL, staged with over 100 artists. Featured in Akashvani’s National Programme of Music, he remains a “Top Grade” ghazal artist of All India Radio, performing for over three decades across AIR and Doordarshan stations.
Awards and Recognition
His journey is adorned with honors: a Citation by the Ministry of HRD (1995), Role of Honor by the Association of Indian Universities (1994–95), and multiple awards as Best Vocalist at national youth festivals. He has been celebrated internationally, receiving the Award of Honor from the Indian Fine Arts Society, Singapore (1998), and recognized by HelpAge India during the UN International Day for the Elderly. From the Punjabi Academy, Delhi to the Press Club of India, and from BIG FM Jammu to the International Dogra Society, London, his accolades reflect both artistry and service.
Jitender Singh’s voice has traveled far—performing in the USA, UK, Oman, Singapore, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy, and Australia. In India, he has been featured at prestigious academies in Delhi, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Jammu and recorded ghazal concerts for Doordarshan channels nationwide.
A JOURNEY IN SOUND AND SPIRIT
Jitender Singh, the legendary musician and cultural torchbearer, has left an indelible mark as a singer, composer, and music director. His work spans from composing the light and sound show at Bahu Fort, Jammu for the Government of India’s Smart City Project, to creating devotional masterpieces like the Shani Chalisa, which has crossed over 130 million views on YouTube.
He has given identity to channels with his signature compositions for NEWS INDIA 24×7 and Katyayani, and enriched cinema with background scores such as for the film Raja Ravi Verma produced by Doordarshan. His Saraswati Vandana at the launch of DD Kisan, in the presence of the Prime Minister, stands as a proud moment in his career.
Music Beyond Borders
Jitender’s artistry has illuminated stages worldwide. He has composed for more than 20 dance ballets at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, and 25 ballets for Mata Jai Kaur Public School, Delhi, besides creating works for the Anila Sinha Foundation in Chicago, USA. His exclusive projects include Gangavataran at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, and the prestigious closing ceremony of India’s 50th Independence celebrations at Vijay Chowk, broadcast live across the world.
From the Indian Fine Arts Society in Singapore to the Geeta Jayanti Mahotsav in Kurukshetra, his music has carried the essence of devotion and culture. With scores for films, serials, jingles, albums, and dance dramas, Jitender Singh continues to weave sound into spirit—an artist whose legacy resonates far beyond borders.
ALBUMS AND CREATIVE LEGACY
Jitender Singh, the renowned singer and music director, has enriched Indian music with a wide range of albums across leading labels. From devotional works like Surya Upasna and Gayatri Mantra with Shubha Mudgal, to Durga Saptsati, Ramcharitmanas, and Hanuman Chalisa, his repertoire spans spiritual depth and cultural resonance. He has also ventured into folk and popular genres with Punjabi ghazals, Rajasthani songs, and Dogri albums, while his ghazal collection Dil Se reflects his lyrical artistry.
With over 100 audio and video albums released under leading labels like T-Series, Music Today, Isha Music, Saga Music, and Anhad Music, his legacy continues to inspire.
JINGLES, CALLER TUNES AND BALLETS
Beyond albums, Jitender has composed more than 500 jingles for iconic brands such as Airtel, Vodafone, Maruti, Dabur, Nescafe, LG, and Patanjali, leaving his musical imprint on everyday life. He has also recorded over 200 caller tunes for Airtel and Vodafone, blending melody with modern communication. His creativity extends to composing music for school ballets and cultural productions—from Ghalib and Meera to Kumar Sambhav and Himachal—bringing history and literature alive on stage.
THEATRE AND GLOBAL WORK
Jitender’s versatility shines in theatre and international collaborations. He composed for plays like Rumi – Unveil the Sun and Mahim Junction (produced by Shekhar Kapur), and worked with directors such as Sohaila Kapoor and Padmashri Balwant Thakur. His music has resonated across India and abroad, from Chicago’s Anila Sinha Dance Academy to productions for the Delhi Sanskrit Academy.
Beyond his artistry, Jitender Singh is a social activist and founder of Dogra Samaj Trust Delhi, committed to preserving Dogra culture and uplifting communities. His journey reflects the soul of an artist who bridges tradition with modern sensibilities, carrying the voice of heritage to audiences across the world.
