Renowned ghazal maestro and veteran singer Pankaj Udhas passed away on February 26 at the age of 72 after battling illness. His daughter Nayaab shared on Instagram the details of his last rites, scheduled for today.
The final rites of Pankaj Udhas will be conducted at the Hindu Crematorium in Worli, Mumbai, between 3 pm and 5 pm.
The news of Pankaj’s demise elicited reactions from various industry stalwarts and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his condolences, acknowledging Pankaj’s contribution to Indian music and the impact of his ghazals on listeners’ souls.
Born on May 17, 1951, in Jetpur, Gujarat, Pankaj Udhas was the youngest of three brothers. His elder brother Manhar Udhas was a Bollywood playback singer, and his second brother Nirmal Udhas was also a renowned ghazal singer.
Pankaj Udhas gained fame with his debut solo ghazal album “Aahat” in 1980, followed by hits like “Mukarar” (1981) and “Tarrannum” (1982). He achieved widespread recognition with the song “Chitthi Aayee Hai” from Mahesh Bhatt’s film “Naam” (1986), which was hailed as one of the top 100 songs of the millennium by BBC Radio.
Throughout his career, Pankaj Udhas lent his melodious voice to numerous movies, collaborating with esteemed artists such as Jagjit Singh, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, and Anup Jalota. His songs, including “Mahiya Teri Kasam” (1990) with Lata Mangeshkar and “Na Kajre Ki Dhar” (1994) from “Mohra,” resonated deeply with audiences.
In 2006, Pankaj Udhas was honored with the Padma Shri for his contributions to music. While his passing leaves a void in the industry, his timeless melodies ensure that his legacy will endure for generations to come.
