Renowned Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas has passed away after battling a prolonged illness, as confirmed by his daughter Nayaab Udhas in a social media post. Family sources report that the esteemed singer of hits like “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein” breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital around 11 am. His last rites are scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
In a heartfelt statement, the family announced, “With a heavy heart, we inform you of the sad demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on February 26 due to a prolonged illness.” The news of Udhas’s passing has sent shockwaves through the music industry, with condolences pouring in from all corners after the announcement surfaced on Monday afternoon. Many expressed their disbelief and sorrow through social media platforms.
Born into a musically inclined family in Gujarat, Udhas began his musical journey early, joining the Rajkot Sangeet Academy alongside his siblings. He later pursued Hindustani vocal classical music under the tutelage of Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab and Navrang Nagpurkar of the Gwalior Gharana after relocating to Mumbai.
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Reports indicate that Udhas’s first notable performance was a rendition of “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” during the India-China war, which deeply moved the audience and earned him a reward of ₹51. His initial song credit dates back to the 1972 film “Kaamna,” directed by K Chatterjee.
Throughout his illustrious career, Udhas released over fifty albums and numerous compilations. His mellifluous voice graced many Bollywood films, including “Naam,” “Saajan,” and “Mohra.” Despite his prolific contributions to the ghazal genre, his most recent playback singing endeavor was for the 2016 film “Dil Toh Deewana Hai.”
The passing of Pankaj Udhas marks the end of an era in the world of music, leaving behind a rich legacy cherished by millions of fans worldwide
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