Photograph: Kind courtesy Pankaj Udhas/Instagram
Renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, whose velvet clean voice gave expression to the numerous colors of affection, longing and heartache in songs resembling Chitthi Ayee Hai and Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein, died in Mumbai on Monday, February 26, 2024, after a protracted sickness. He was 72.
Udhas, who additionally made a mark as a playback singer in lots of Hindi movies, together with Dayavan, Naam, Saajan and Mohra, died round 11 am on the Breach Candy hospital.
‘With a really heavy coronary heart, we’re saddened to tell you of the unhappy demise of Padmashri Pankaj Udhas on twenty sixth February 2024 on account of a protracted sickness,’ his daughter Nayaab wrote in an Instagram publish.
‘This just isn’t solely a private loss, however the entire nation has misplaced a prolific singer and a fantastic human being,’ the Breach Candy Hospital Trust stated in a word.
The final rites of the singer, who hit his peak within the Nineties, will probably be held on Tuesday.
He is survived by spouse Farida and daughters Reva and Nayaab.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been among the many many who mourned the singer’s demise.
‘Pankaj Udhasji, honoured with Padma Shri and different awards, made an necessary contribution in popularising music. My condolences to his household and followers,’ the President stated.
According to the prime minister, Udhas’ singing conveyed a variety of feelings and his ghazals spoke on to the soul.
‘He was a beacon of Indian music, whose melodies transcended generations. I recall my numerous interactions with him over time. His departure leaves a void within the music world that may by no means be crammed. Condolences to his household and admirers. Om Shanti,’ Modi stated.
Udhas, a kind of credited for making the style fashionable together with Talat Aziz and Jagjit Singh, launched his first album Aahat in 1980 and went on to launch over 50 albums in a four-decade profession. This was aside from the songs, evoking light romance, he crooned as a playback singer.
He is maybe most well-known for Naa Kajaare Ki Dhar, Aye Ghame Zindagi Kuch To De Mashwara, Maikhane Se Sharab, Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera Sone Jaise Baal, Aaj Fir Tum Pe pyaar Aaya, Mohabbat Inyat Karam Dekhte Hain, Jaaneman Karwate Badal Badal and Chahat Desh Se Aane Wale.
Udhas was synonymous with ghazals, an Arabic phrase which means ‘conversing with the beloved’. It developed in Persia within the tenth century AD from the Arabic verse kind qasida, in keeping with rekhta.com
But he was far more than that.
‘Ghazal singer, artwork lover & an avid reader. I like to journey to totally different locations; I relish totally different cuisines. Apart from ghazals, I take heed to the Beatles,’ his Facebook profile says.
Udhas, who obtained the Padma Shri in 2006, was additionally a science graduate working to eradicate thalassemia, in keeping with his X profile.
He was born in Gujarat’s Rajkot city to a household of musicians. His father Keshubhai Udhas performed the string instrument dilruba. And his two elder brothers Manhar Udhas and Nirmal Udhas had been well-known singers too.
The younger Pankaj initially began studying tabla on the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot. But he was extra inclined in direction of Hindustani classical music and began studying from Ghulam Qadir Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan recalled in an interview that he earned his first cash by working as an usher at an Udhas live performance and used the Rs 50 to journey to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Udhas can also be credited with making John Abraham a well-liked face, giving him the chance to seem in his album Mahek in 1999. The songs Chupke chupke sakhiyon se baatein and Yun mere khat ka jawab aya had been a rage.
The tributes poured in.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur stated Udhas’ demise is an ‘irreparable loss’ to the music world.
‘Deeply saddened the information of passing of Pankaj Udhasji. His profession, spanning greater than 4 many years, enriched our music trade and gifted us with a number of the most memorable and melodious renditions of gazals,’ Thakur wrote on X.
Long time good friend and fellow singer Anup Jalota stated he knew Udhas had been unwell for the final a number of months however did not realise he would go away so quickly.
“I’ve lost my friend. We would discuss everything. Pankaj, Talat (Aziz) and I… our trio was famous. We had great fun together. We would do concerts together. He has had a great contribution in making ghazals popular and accessible. It can never be forgotten,” Jalota stated.
Anuradha Paudwal, who collaborated with Udhas on many songs, together with Mohabbat, Inayat, Karam and Tere Khamosh Hoton Se, stated she was shocked by information of his demise.
“He was a very good artist for the world but to me he was a very close and dear friend… We studied together in St Xavier’s and then we both joined the industry. We recorded many duets, many of them were popular. He was a great singer, a great artist, very soft spoken… but over and above that, he was a very nice human being. He was close to everyone,” Paudwal informed PTI.
Madhuri Dixit, who featured in Saajan, her 1991 movie with Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan, remembered Udhas’ hit quantity Jeeye Toh Jeeye Kaise Bin Aap Ke from the film.
Deeply saddened by the lack of a music legend, Pankaj Udhasji. His gazals touched the souls of individuals worldwide. His legacy will ceaselessly linger in our hearts! Om Shanti,’ Madhuri tweeted.
Singer Daler Mehndi stated his coronary heart was heavy with the information of the demise of the gentlest music exponent.
Chitthi na koi sandesh… wishing you a stunning, peaceable journey forward… sureeley Pankajji, your songs stay etched in our reminiscences,’ Mehndi stated in an X publish.
Abhishek Bachchan: Very saddened by Pankaj Udhasji‘s passing. His demise is an irreplaceable loss to our music world. My honest condolences to his household and pals on this troublesome time. Om Shanti.
Sonu Nigam: One of a very powerful a part of my childhood, is misplaced at present. Shri Pankaj Udhasji, I’ll miss you ceaselessly. My coronary heart cries figuring out that you’re no extra. Thank you for being there. Om Shanti.
Manoj Bajpayee: Saddening!!! Rest in peace Pankaj Udhasji! Had the privilege of listening to you and getting mesmerised by the candy texture of your voice and Sur! ॐ शान्ति उत्तम कलाकार उत्तम इंसान !
Anup Jalota: Shocking …. Music legend & my Friend #PankajUdhas passes away. We prolong our heartfelt condolences to his Family and family members throughout this troublesome time.
Manoj Joshi: Pained by the demise of Pankaj Udhasji, a legendary determine on the planet of music. His passing leaves a void that will probably be laborious to fill. My heartfelt condolences to his household, disciples and numerous admirers.
