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. Sources close to the family stated that the singer, known for hits like “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein,” breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital around 11 am. The family announced that the last rites will take place on Tuesday.
In a heartfelt message, the family conveyed, “With a heavy heart, we announce the sad demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on February 26 due to a prolonged illness.”
The news of Udhas’ passing has deeply saddened the music industry, triggering an outpouring of condolences on social media platforms. Colleagues and fans alike expressed shock and sorrow upon hearing the news.
Hailing from Gujarat, Pankaj Udhas belonged to a family with a rich musical heritage. He and his brothers received early musical training at the Rajkot Sangeet Academy. Udhas then delved into Hindustani classical music under the tutelage of Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab before relocating to Mumbai to study under the renowned singer Navrang Nagpurkar of the Gwalior Gharana.
Udhas’ journey in music began with a memorable rendition of “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” during the India-China war, which earned him a token of appreciation amounting to ₹51 from an audience member. His first professional credit came with the 1972 film “Kaamna,” directed by K. Chatterjee.
Throughout his illustrious career, Udhas released over fifty albums and numerous compilations. His melodious voice graced the soundtracks of several Hindi films, including “Naam,” “Saajan,” and “Mohra.” Despite his focus on ghazal performances, he also contributed as a playback singer, with his most recent recording being for the 2016 movie “Dil Toh Deewana Hai.”