Retired musician Pankaj Udhas, known for hits like “Chitthi aayi hai,” passed away in Mumbai today following a protracted illness, according to his family at 72.
According to a statement released by the Udhas family, “We are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on 26 February due to a prolonged illness.”
As to a family source cited by the news agency PTI, Udhas, who gained recognition as a playback vocalist in Hindi films such as “Naam”, “Saajan”, and “Mohra”, passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital at about 11 am.
‘Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein’, ‘Chandani Raat Mein’, ‘Na Kajre Ki Dhaar’, ‘Ek Taraf Uska Ghar’, and ‘Thodi Thodi Piya Karo’ are some of his timeless ghazals.
Pankaj Udhas’s life in brief
Indian playback and ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas (17 May 1951 – 26 February 2024) was well-known for his contributions to Indian music and Hindi film. Aahat, a ghazal album, marked the beginning of his career in 1980. He went on to record several songs, including 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.
Following his ghazal singing career, he received an invitation to sing in Mahesh Bhatt’s film Naam, where his song “Chitthi Aayee Hai” (A Letter Has Arrived) was shot to fame. After that, he sang playback vocals for other Hindi movies. He became a well-known vocalist thanks to albums and live performances all over the world. India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, the Padma Shri, was given to Pankaj Udhas in 2006. Manhar and Nirmal Udhas, his brothers, are also vocalists.
‘Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein’, ‘Chandani Raat Mein’, ‘Na Kajre Ki Dhaar’, ‘Ek Taraf Uska Ghar’, and ‘Thodi Thodi Piya Karo’ are some of his timeless ghazals. The singer gave performances all over the world and released several CDs. He also founded the talent search TV program “Aadab Aarz Hai.”
The five best songs of Pankaj Udhas
His ghazals, often conveys melancholia, despondency, and heartbreak with irredeemable sadness. His romantic pieces, like Chitthi aayi hai from the film Naam, evoke the heaviness of living without the beloved. The timeless ghazal, which became an iconic patriotic song in the ’80s, portrays separation and longing, evoking the emotions of receiving a letter from a distant lover.
Also, he criticized the media’s lack of support for non-film music, which affected a generation of ghazal singers who enjoyed singing in Bollywood films and non-film concerts. Udhas, younger brother of Manhar Udhas, launched Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt to raise funds. Pankaj Udhas shared his initial reluctance to lend his voice to the Chitthi Aayi Hai song in an interview with Lehren.
He initially hesitated due to his lack of acting experience, but upon realizing the filmmaker wanted a cameo appearance from Udhas himself, he readily agreed. This pivotal moment in Udhas’ career highlights the importance of acting in his career.
Pankaj Udhas’ legendary gazal career ends!
The announcement of Pankaj Udhas’s passing earlier today at the age of 72 in Mumbai brought to an end the great Indian ghazal and playback singer’s distinguished career, which lasted over four decades. At the age of 72, Pankaj Udhas passed away at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on February 26, 2024, following a protracted illness.
His daughter Nayaab broke the devastating news on Instagram, stating that cancer was the reason behind his death. Fans all throughout the world were affected by the maestro’s passing and the hole it created in the music business. As word spread around the music world of Pankaj Udhas’s demise, accolades and condolences began to come in. Famous playback singer Sonu Nigam acknowledged the profound influence Udhas had on his early years and shared his sorrow on Instagram.
Udhas’s ghazals, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spoke straight to the soul, and he was a shining example of Indian music. Home Minister Amit Shah praised Udhas’s capacity to move people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, stressing that his ghazals and songs will never go out of style.
