Ghazal Maestro Pankaj Udhas Passes Away At 72

Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas has passed away after battling a prolonged illness, as confirmed by his daughter Nayaab Udhas in a social media announcement. Family sources revealed that the renowned singer of hits like “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein” breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital around 11 am. His final rites are scheduled for Tuesday.

“It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on February 26, after a prolonged illness,” stated a message from the family.

The sudden demise of the iconic singer has left the music industry reeling in shock and mourning. Condolences flooded in as the news spread on Monday afternoon, with many expressing their disbelief and sadness on social media platforms.

A Glimpse Into Pankaj Udhas’s Life

Udhas, born into a musical family in Gujarat, began his musical journey at the Rajkot Sangeet Academy alongside his brothers. He honed his skills in Hindustani classical music under the tutelage of Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab before moving to Mumbai to train under the renowned Gwalior Gharana vocalist Navrang Nagpurkar.

Reports indicate that Udhas’ first public performance was a rendition of “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” during the India-China war, a rendition that deeply moved an audience member to reward him with ₹51. His debut in playback singing came with the 1972 film “Kaamna,” directed by K. Chatterjee.