Who Was Pankaj Udhas, Ghazal and Playback Singer Who Died Aged 72?

Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas' death left a void in music industry as he has given numerous evergreen ghazals to industry. He died on Monday, February 26, in a private hospital due to prolonged illness, confirmed his daughter Nayaab.

Who was Pankaj Udhas?

Born in Gujarat's Jetpur (Rajkot) in May 1951 in a landed family as youngest of three brors, Pankaj Udhas was no stranger to music. Not only h his eldest bror Manhar Udhas become a moderately successful Hindi film playback singer but second, Nirmal Udhas, was also a well-known ghazal singer, and in fact, was first of m to start singing in family. ir far Keshubhai Udhas, a government servant, h once met renowned veena player Abdul Karim Khan, who taught him to play dilruba.

Seeing his far play dilruba/esraj kindled interest of Pankaj Udhas in music and it grew so ingrained in all siblings that far enrolled m at Sangeet Acemy in Rajkot.

Like many ors, he h his sights set on Bollywood but confessed later to having a love-hate relationship with industry. He sang first song for film Kamna (1971), composed by Usha Khanna and written by Naqsh Lyallpur. While film flopped, song became very popular.

Pankaj Udhas' illustrious careergraph

He started his career with release of a ghazal album titled Aahat in 1980 and subsequently recorded many hits like Mukarar in 1981, Tarrannum in 1982, Mehfil in 1983 and Aafreen in 1986. After his success as a ghazal singer, he was invited to appear and sing for a film by Mahesh Bhatt, Naam. Since n re was no looking back for singer and he went on to croon numerous Bollywood films.

His popular songs include Chitthi Aayee Hai, Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise, Aaj Phir Tumpe Pyar Aaya Hai, Na Kajre Ki Dhar, Main Tumse Pyar Karta, Chandi Jaisa Rang, Main Dil Ki Dil Mein and many more. He last sang for movie Dil Toh Deewana Hai (2016).

Apart from tracks, he h over 60 albums - including first-ever released on a CD in India - and hundreds of compilation albums to his credit and was still active in concerts until last moment.