Renowned ghazal singer and Padma Shri awardee Pankaj Udhas, best known for ‘Chitthi Ayee Hai’ and ‘Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein’, died on Monday (Feb 26) following prolonged illness. He was 72. His daughter Nayaab Udhas took to Instagram to announce the news and wrote, “With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform of the sad demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on 26th February 2024 due to prolonged illness.” Pankaj Udhas died around 11 a.m. at a hospital, family sources said. The last rites will be held on Tuesday.
Pankaj Udhas has ruled the world of ghazals for several years now. His limpid, mellow voice is easily recognisable. Born in Gujarat, trained in tabla from the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Rajkot.
For Udhas, who launched his career with a ghazal album ‘Aahat’ (1980) and followed it up with three other successful albums – ‘Mukarar’, ‘Tarrannum’ and ‘Mehfil’, this song from the film ‘Naam’ (1986) helped further his rise to fame. It was a break that helped make his presence felt in Bollywood.
Way back in the early 1970s, Udhas made his film debut in ‘Kamna’ but the film was shelved. This was a huge disappointment and it took years of struggle to become a ‘singer’.
Born on May 17, 1951, in India’s Jetpur, the Indian ghazal and playback singer is known for his works in Hindi cinema, and Indian pop. He started his career with the release of a ghazal album titled ‘Aahat’ in 1980 and subsequently recorded many hits like ‘Mukarar’ in 1981, ‘Tarrannum’ in 1982, ‘Mehfil’ in 1983, ‘Pankaj Udhas Live’ at Royal Albert Hall in 1984, ‘Nayaab’ in 1985 and "Aafreen’ in 1986.
