Renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas has passed away after battling a prolonged illness. The news was confirmed through a social media post by his daughter Nayaab Udhas. According to reports from family sources, the beloved singer of hits like "Chitthi Ayee Hai" and "Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein" breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital around 11 am. The final rites are scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
"In profound sadness, we announce the demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on February 26 due to a long-standing illness," conveyed a message from the family. The music industry is reeling from Udhas's loss. Condolences flooded social media platforms as the news reverberated through the industry, leaving many in shock and mourning.
Born into a musical family in Gujarat, Udhas began his musical journey early, attending the Rajkot Sangeet Academy alongside his brothers. His formal training in Hindustani classical music commenced under the tutelage of Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab, following which he honed his skills under the guidance of Gwalior Gharana maestro Navrang Nagpurkar in Mumbai.
Reports suggest that Udhas's debut on the stage was marked by a rendition of "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" during the India-China war, which moved an audience member to reward him with ₹51. His initial foray into playback singing was in the 1972 film "Kaamna," directed by K. Chatterjee.
Throughout his illustrious career, Udhas released over fifty albums and contributed to numerous film soundtracks, including notable movies like "Naam," "Saajan," and "Mohra." While maintaining a vibrant presence in the ghazal circuit with live performances, his last recorded song as a playback singer was for the 2016 film "Dil Toh Deewana Hai."
Pankaj Udhas's legacy as a maestro of ghazals and his significant contributions to Indian music will continue to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on generations to come.
