Jagjit Singh sets new world record

On Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, Jagjit Singh will be presented the Guinness World Record for Longest
Drumming Marathon - Individual, to recognize his record-breaking 110 hours of playing Tabla.
Singh, a Brampton resident and local Tabla teacher, eclipsed the previous record of 101 hours during an official attempt lasting 5 days from October 3 to October 7, 2007 playing the pair of hand drums.
Starting at the tender age of four, Jagjit Singh began learning to play Tabla first from his older cousin and then Ustad Sushil Kumar. In 1993, he was accepted as a student by the renowned Late Ustad Alla Rakha Khan, and later studied under Ustad Zakir Hussain, son of Khan - both giants in Indian classical music.
Since settling in Canada in 2000, Singh has expanded his studies into western music styles and has had the opportunity to work with many famous artists from India and Canada. He continues to travel widely, to the UK and as far as Australia to play the drums of which he is so passionate.
It was passion and gratitude that inspired Jagjit Singh to this new record. “I want the drumming marathon to serve as a lesson to younger musicians and encourage them to chase after their dreams,” he said in an interview with The Mississauga News prior to commencing his attempt in 2007. On December 7, 2008 at 1:00pm at Sri Guru Singh Sabha - Malton Sikh Temple, the young Sikh will be presented the official record from the Guinness World Records recognizing his feat - a tribute to his teachers, his discipline to hard work and passion to inspire others to reach higher.
Be a part of this inspiring event!
==Here are the details of the event:==
WHAT:
- Guinness World Record Certificate Presentation to Jagjit Singh (Tabla Player/Teacher)
for the Longest Drumming Marathon – Individual, by playing Tabla for 110 hours
WHERE:
- Sri Guru Singh Sabha, 7280 Airport Rd., Malton, ON, L4T 2H3
- Phone: 905-671-1662
WHEN:
- Dec. 7, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m.
* For more information, contact: Jagjit Singh, Cell: 647-408-7664 E-Mail: info@jagjitsingh.ca
==Details==
Jagjit Singh 'Batalvi' was born and raised in Batala, a small city in Punjab, India, and was always a great music lover and passionate about playing Tabla (an instrument). He began learning Tabla from his cousin, Kamalpreet Singh when he was only four years of age. His love and passion for Tabla has brought him a long way from his childhood to present when he is fully ready to create a new Guinness World Record by playing his instrument non-stop for 110 hours - five days and four nights in a row.
He completed his graduation (Grade 12), but kept his practice for Tabla along with his studies. His father, Taru Singh, was a doctor by profession but also a music lover and could also sing very well.
He continued to learn Tabla from his cousin up to the age of nine and then met Ustad Sushil Kumar Jain who taught him until 1992. During this period, he continued his studies and completed his Bharat Vikas Parishad course in Punjab.
After finishing his studies, he thought about meeting Ustad Alla Rakha Khan, a Bollywood legend and a well-known Tabla player in Bombay, so that he could learn directly from him. He wrote a letter to Ustad Alla Rakha Khan showing his interest and obsession about learning Tabla. 
Ustad ji wrote back saying he would like to see him perform first and then decide whether he is capable of learning from him or not. In 1993, he went to Bombay to perform the test of Ustad ji which he passed with outstanding marks and therefore decided to live there to give real life to his dreams of becoming a passionate Tabla player. 
During his stay in Bombay, he passed the audition for Television and Radio in 1995. In the same year he had an opportunity to play Tabla in a Television show. Now that he was under the guidance of Ustad Alla Rakha Khan, he felt even more motivated and inspired to become a great Tabla player. 
To achieve his goal, he decided to compete against other Tabla players from Punjab. All of his hard work and effort paid off when he received first prize in Punjab State competition.
Then, he started getting lessons from another famous professional Ustad Zakir Hussain, son of Late Ustad Alla Rakha Khan.
In 2000, he settled in Canada. While living in Canada, he decided to learn western music along with teaching eastern music to youngsters. In 2002, he had a chance to work in a T.V. commercial for an Airline.
Until now, he has been fortunate enough to work with many different famous artists from all over India and Canada. Some of the stars are Ariane Muffatt, Richard Tremblay, Bruno Patiq, Ravi Joly, Uwe Newman, Bosky, Catherine Potter, Late Maestro Bhai Sahib Joginder Singh Talwara Ji, Bhai Balbir Singh, Master Niranjan Singh, Ustad Dr. Tejinderpal Singh, Bhai Niranjan Singh Jwadi Kalan, Dolly Gularia (Daughter of Surinder Kaur), Rajkumar Rajivi, Hasu Patel, Padam Bhushan Sumitra Goha, Hardeep Bakhshi and many more.
At the moment, he is currently living in Brampton, Ontario and has had the opportunity to travel many different countries such as England, Australia, all over North America and he looks forward to meeting people from all over the world.
==External link==
* Official website