Mumbai: Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas died on Monday today in Mumbai after a prolonged illness at the age of 73.
His daughter Nayyab confirmed the sad news on social media, “With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on 26th February 2024 due to a prolonged illness. Udhas family.” His last rites will take place on Tuesday.
Pankaj Udhas’ rep also told the media that “Pankaj sir was suffering from a prolonged illness and wasn’t keeping well for the last few days. He died this morning around 11 am at Breach Candy hospital.”
Born in a musically inclined family in Gujarat, Pankaj was the youngest of three brothers. Both his brothers — Manhar Udhas and Nirmal Udhas — established their careers in singing and Pankaj followed their example. While he initially wanted to learn tabla, his interest gradually moved to ghazals and he also learnt Urdu to hone his skills.
Famous for his memorable ghazals such as “Chitthi Aayi Hai” from Naam, “Na Kajre Ki Dhar” from Mohra, “Chandi Jaisa Rang”, “Ek Taraf Uska Ghar” and “Ahista”, Pankaj was famous for his velvet voice. His first big break was in the a song in the film Kamna, but he eventually found his calling in ghazals. He also learned Urdu to hone his skills and went on to regale music lovers in India and abroad with his work in cinema and albums. His first ghazal album, Aahat, came out in 1980. He gave music lovers more than 50 albums and hundreds of compilation albums.
After appearing in Naam where he sang the memorable ghazal, Pankaj also made appearances in films such as Yeh Dillagi, Saajan and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee.
Fans of the singer paid tribute on social media. “The velvet voice has forever fallen silent,” wrote one, while another said, “It is end of an era in ghazal music.”
Pankaj Udhas is survived by wife Farida Ushas and daughters Nayaab and Reva.
