New Delhi, Aug 15: He has narrated 42 Independence Days for millions of Indians, but for ace commentator Jasdev Singh there is no looking back and neither does he have any plans to retire. "Commentary is my passion and I will retire with my last breath," says the 71-year old Singh, noting, "The coming Republic Day would also be my 42nd."
"People have also seen numerous sports events through my eyes and I just have one desire - to live in the minds and memories of the people," says Singh. Something which he already seems to have attained. While the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi once told Singh, "You raise my heart beat with your commentary," Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when he was leader of Opposition told him, "I recognise you by your voice."
Singh, who earned his reputation as a hockey commentator has stopped giving live commentaries for sports events. But his interest in Independence and Republic Day remains unflagging.
"Sometimes people accuse me of doing everything from a funeral to hockey or even local events. But to me, if a commentator has keen observation, can see and judge things and has good background, can be a game for anything," says Singh.
However, he cautions commentators against preparing commentaries before the event. "That way he is not in tune with what is happening on the scene."
"For a commentator, depth is more important," says Singh, citing his Independence Day commentary. "I also give the history of the surrounding buildings, the Red Fort, and put in some befitting couplets also." Singh, who was inspired by Meville D'Mello's commentary during Mahatma Gandhi's funeral, has set several records and firsts since starting his career with the Jaipur station of All India Radio in 1955.
His journey as a commentator includes nine Olympics, six Hockey games, eight hockey World Cups, three cricket series overseas and many national tournaments. His was awarded the Padma Shri in 1985 and is also the recipient of the prestigious Olympic order.
He was also the first to interview Rakesh Sharma, who went into space.
About the faux paus in his career, Singh recalls how 'God' once saved him.
"It was the India-Poland match hockey match in the last World Cup. Had India won, it would have entered the semis. Both the teams were 2-2. Suddenly the computer made a mistake and it jumped to 3-2. I started telling the people that India had scored another goal," Singh said.
"But I immediately fumbled, checked with my colleague and corrected myself instantly. Had I not done so a big mistake would have occurred... But God saved me," he said
Singh says the future of commentary is very bright provided "we have good commentators". There is also need to set up an institute to train the "men of spoken words". Bureau Report