About Me

Bhavnagar together with whole of Saurashtra had very favourable ambiance for the development of a musical talent like Jagdeep Virani, he carried music in jeans being the great grandson of the legendary musician Shree Aditya Ramji on his maternal leanage ; right from his school days he had knowledge of certain ‘rags’. He was also exposed to classical music which flourished under the royal patronage. A class of music lovers grew and young Jagdeep Virani started writing poetry. What was outstanding was that he composed the poetry immediately after he wrote it. This set him in a class of his own.

He matured as a multifaceted artist; he could paint and also write with both his hands, he wrote plays like:

1) “Shrapit Navik” – a sailor who was cursed to set foot on land only once in seven years.

2) “Prakash Chaya” – light and shade personified. How they were so apart inspite of always being together.

He wrote short stories under the title of ‘Kalgi’, which were printed in the popular magazine ‘Akhand anand’. He was a good photographer, he played several musical instruments; he learned the Violin under the well known musician Haribhai Sharma. He was a remarkable thread artist too. He made many scenes in thread with colourful hues blended so well that it looked like painting.

While Jagdeep Virani grew in his life as an artist he also qualified as an electric engineer. Taught music and art in ‘Majiraj girls’ high school’ and published his poems in books called ‘Dolariya’, ‘Poonam raat’ and ‘Himresha’.

While Jagdeep Virani grew in his life as an artist he also qualified as an electric engineer. Taught music and art in ‘Majiraj girls’ high school’ and published his poems in books called ‘Dolariya’, ‘Poonam raat’ and ‘Himresha’.

When HH Shree Krushnakumar Sinhji was appointed as the Governor of Madras, Jagdeep Virani accompanied him to train the young Royal kids in art and music. When young prince Shree Virbhadra Sinhji got married, Jagdeep Virani joined the ‘jaan’, during the journey he started making a sketch of Shree Kirit Sinhji which turned out to be life like and perfect in all details which was one more projection of his outstanding talent. HH Virbhadra Sinhji wanted to make a gramophone record of songs sung by himself, Jagdeep Virani played the mandolin in some of the numbers on this record, he also helped to get it launched by H.M.V.

The opening music of Vividh Bharti Radio Station was composed by Jagdeep Virani which the whole of India heard every morning.

As a Marathi saying goes “shanu manush laabhat naai” which means a good person does not live long. Jagdeep Virani succumbed to a heart attack in 1956 in “Saptakala”, leaving an extra ordinary cultural mark on not only Bhavnagar but also Gujarat. His children together with some of his students have established Jagdeep Virani Foundation – an Endeavour to revive and eternalize his varied art. The foundation aims to keep alive this abundant legacy by organizing activities like cultural programmes, staging dramas and publishing books. This is not possible without a large fund. Therefore you are welcome to join us in this social responsibility.