who was Pankaj Udhas? Pankaj Udhas (17 May 1951 – 26 February 2024) was an Indian ghazal and playback singer known for his works in Hindi cinema, and Indian pop. He started his career with a release of a ghazal album titled Aahat in 1980 and subsequently recorded many hits like Mukarar in 1981, Tarrannum in 1982, Mehfil in 1983, Pankaj Udhas Live at Royal Albert Hall in 1984, Nayaab in 1985 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. Udhas rose to further fame for singing in the 1986 film Naam, in which his song “Chitthi Aayee Hai” (the letter has arrived) became an instant hit. He did playback singing for many Hindi films after that. Albums and live concerts around the globe brought him fame as a singer. In 2006, Pankaj Udhas was awarded Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award.His brothers Nirmal Udhas and Manhar Udhas are also singers. Early life Pankaj Udhas was born in Jetpur in Gujarat. He was the youngest of the three brothers. His parents were Keshubhai Udhas and Jituben Udhas. His eldest brother Manhar Udhas achieved some success as a Hindi playback singer in Bollywood films. His second elder brother Nirmal Udhas is also a well-known Ghazal Singer and was the first of the three brothers to start singing in the family. He had studied in Sir BPTI Bhavanagar. His family moved to Mumbai and Pankaj attended St. Xavier’s College there.[citation needed] Udhas’s family hails from a town named Charkhadi near Rajkot and were zamindars (transl. traditional landlords). His grandfather was the first graduate from the village and went on to become the Diwan (revenue minister) of the Bhavnagar State. His father, Keshubhai Udhas, was a government servant and had met the renowned veena player, Abdul Karim Khan, who taught him to play the dilruba.[8] When Udhas was a child, his father would play the dilruba, a stringed instrument. Seeing his and his brothers’ interest in music, his father enrolled them at the Sangeet Academy in Rajkot. Udhas initially enrolled himself to learn the tabla but later began learning Hindustani vocal classical music from Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab. Udhas then moved to Mumbai to train under the tutelage of Navrang Nagpurkar, a singer from the Gwalior Gharana. Pankaj died on February 26 2024. Career A song titled Chandi Jaisa Rang hai tera, sone jaise bal (i.e. Your colour is like silver, your hair is like gold) was sung by Pankaj Udhas. Pankaj Udhas’ older brother, Manhar Udhas was a stage performer that aided Pankaj in his introduction to musical performance. His first stage performance was during the Sino-Indian War, when he sang “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” and was given Rs. 51 by an audience member as a reward.[citation needed] Four years later he joined the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot and learned the nuances of playing the tabla. After that, he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at Wilson College and St Xavier’s college, Mumbai and started training in Indian classical vocal music under the tutelage of Master Navrang. Udhas’s first song was in the film “Kamna” a solo composed by Usha Khanna and written by Naqsh Lyallpuri, the film was a flop but his rendition was very much appreciated. Subsequently, Udhas developed an interest in ghazals and learned Urdu to try to pursue a career as a ghazal singer. He spent ten months in Canada and the US doing ghazal concerts and returned to India with renewed vigour and confidence. His first ghazal album, Aahat, was released in 1980. From this, he began to have success and, as of 2011 he has released more than fifty albums and hundreds of compilation albums. In 1986, Udhas received another opportunity to perform in film, in the film Naam, which brought him fame. In 1990, he sang the melodious duet “Mahiya Teri Kasam” with Lata Mangeshkar, for the movie Ghayal. This song achieved immense popularity. In 1994, Udhas sang the notable song, “Na Kajre Ki Dhar”, from the film Mohra along with Sadhana Sargam which also became very popular. He continued working as a playback singer, making some on-screen appearances in films such as Saajan, Yeh Dillagi, Naam and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee. His album Shagufta launched by Music India in December 1987 was the first to be released on compact disc in India. Later, Udhas started a talent hunt television program called Aadab Aarz Hai on Sony Entertainment Television. Actor John Abraham calls Udhas his mentor.Udhas’ ghazals talk about love, intoxication and sharab. The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Shri to renowned ghazal singer Shri Pankaj Keshubhai Udhas, at investiture ceremony in New Delhi on 29 March 2006 Death Tracks Year of Release Song Movies/Albums Singer Composer Lyricist 1970 Munne Ki Amma Yeh To Bata Tum Haseen Main Jawaan Pankaj Udhas & Kishore Kumar Shankar-Jaikishan Rajinder Krishan 1986 Chitthi aayi hai Naam Pankaj Udhas Laxmikant-Pyarelal 1988 Dil Se Dil Mila, Phir Kaisa Gila, Ho Gaya Pyar Tamacha Pankaj Udhas & Sharon Prabhakar Bappi Lahiri 1988 Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Ek Hi Maqsad Pankaj Udhas Pankaj Udhas Mumtaz Rashid 1988 Gaa Mere Sang Pyar Ka Geet Naya Gunahon Ka Faisla Pankaj Udhas & Lata Mangeshkar Bappi Lahiri 1988 Aaj Phir Tumpe Dayavan Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Laxmikant-Pyarelal 1988 Ek Ek Ho Jaye Phir Ghar Chale Jaana Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati Pankaj Udhas & Kishore Kumar Anu Malik Indeevar 1988 Tere Dar Ko Chhod Chale Pankaj Udhas 1989 Sahara Tere Intezaar Ka Hai Hum Intezaar Karenge Pankaj Udhas Bappi Lahiri 1989 Yaad Aayi, Yaad Aayi, Bhuli Woh Kahani Phir Yaad Aayi Gola Barood Pankaj Udhas & Mohammed Aziz Bappi Lahiri 1989 Tumne Rakh To Lee Tasveer Hamari Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Anand-Milind Majrooh Sultanpuri 1989 Kuch Baat Hai Tum Mein Jo Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal 1989 “Bhool Bhulaiyya Sa Yeh Jeevan””Dekh Ke Tumko” “Dil Ki Baatein Hain” Gawaahi Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Uttam-Jagdish Sardar Anjum 1990 Maahiya Teri Kasam Ghayal Pankaj Udhas & Lata Mangeshkar Bappi Lahiri 1990 Ishq Mein Jaan Gawa Denge Paap Ki Kamaee Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal 1990 Aur Bhala Main Kya Mangun Rab Se Thanedaar Pankaj Udhas & Lata Mangeshkar Bappi Lahiri 1990 Mohabbat Inayat Karam Dekhte Hain Bahaar Aane Tak Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal 1991 Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise Saajan Pankaj Udhas Nadeem Shravan Sameer 1991 Jaane Jaan Mujhe Aisa Kya Hua Vishkanya Pankaj Udhas & Penaz Masani Bappi Lahiri 1992 Geet Banke Labon Pe Adharm Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Anand-Milind Sameer 1992 Dhadkane Saansein Jawani Beta Pankaj Udhas Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen Dilip Tahir 1992 Jo Geet Nahi Janma Sangeet Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Anand-Milind Santosh Anand 1992 Ek Pal Ek Din Jigar Pankaj Udhas & Sadhana Sargam Anand-Milind Sameer 1992 Apni Mohabbat Kabhi Kam Na Ho Aaja Sanam Pankaj Udhas Arun Paudwal Faaiz Anwar 1992 Kisi Ne Bhi To Na Dekha Dil Aashna Hai Pankaj Udhas Anand-Milind 1993 Ye Kya Kya Dikhati Hai Meherbaan Pankaj Udhas Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen Rani Malik 1993 Dil Deta Hai Ro Ro Dohai Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee Pankaj Udhas 1993 Rabse Bhi Pehle Honthon Pe Meresaajan Tera Izzat Ki Roti Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Bappi Lahiri 1993 Mat Kar Itna Guroor Aadmi Khilona Hai Pankaj Udhas & Alka Yagnik Nadeem-Shravan 1993 Aadmi Khilona Hai (male) Pankaj Udhas 1993 Tujhko Saanson Mein Kasam Teri Kasam Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Naresh Sharma Qatil Shiphai 1993 Teri Aankhen Meri Manzil Faaiz Anwar 1993 Khuda Kare Mohabbat Mein Sanam (film released in 1997) Pankaj Udhas Anand-Milind Sameer 1993 Aankh Mere Yaar Ki Dukhe (Solo) Ek Hi Raasta Pankaj Udhas Mahesh Kishor Naqsh Lyallpuri 1993 Aankh Mere Yaar Ki Dukhe (Duet) Pankaj Udhas & Kavita Krishnamurthy 1993 Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata Baazigar Pankaj Udhas Anu Malik Rani Malik 1993 Mohabbaton Kaa Safar Hai (duet) Mohabbaton Kaa Safar Pankaj Udhas & Kavita Krishnamurthy Khayyam Salahuddin Pervez 1993 Mohabbaton Kaa Safar Hai (solo) Pankaj Udhas 1993 Abhi Abhi Yeh Samjha Hai Dil Apna Aur Preet Paraee Pankaj Udhas Usha Khanna Yogesh 1994 Dil Jab Se Toot Gaya (Duet) Salaami Pankaj Udhas & Alka Yagnik Nadeem-Shravan Sameer 1994 Dil Jab Se Toot Gaya (Solo) Pankaj Udhas 1994 Aankhon Ke Kaajal Se Main Tera Aashiq (unreleased film) Pankaj Udhas & Anuradha Paudwal Naresh Sharma Deepak Sneh 1994 Main Deewana Hoon Jisse Yeh Dillagi Pankaj Udhas & Saif Ali Khan 1994 Na Kajare Ki Dhaar Mohra Pankaj Udhas 1994 Hothon Pe Tera Naam Main Khiladi Tu Anari Pankaj Udhas 1994 Main Tumse Pyar Karta Ghar Ki Izzat Pankaj Udhas & Jaishree Shivram Amar-Utpal 1994 Rishta tera mera (male version) Jai Vikraanta Pankaj Udhas 1995 Aansu Judai Ke Milan Pankaj Udhas Anand-Milind Sameer 1996 Humne Khamoshi Se Tumhe Dil Mein Basaya Hai Majhdhaar Pankaj Udhas Nadeem-Shravan 1997 Meethi Meethi Baatein Kaalia Pankaj Udhas & Jaishree Shivram Anand Raj Anand 1997 Zindagi Ko Guzarne Ke Liye Jeevan Yudh Pankaj Udhas & Alka Yagnik Nadeem-Shravan Sameer 1999 “Chandakinta Chanda” Sparsha Pankaj Udhas Hamsalekha Itagi Veeranna 1999 “Bareyada Mounada Kavite” Pankaj Udhas, Kavita Krishnamurti, Archana Udupa R. N. Jayagopal 2000 Ram Kare Jung Pankaj Udhas & Karsan Sagathia Anu Malik 2000 Teri Aashiqui Ghaath Pankaj Udhas & Alka Yagnik Anu Malik 2002 London Mein India Yeh Hai Jalwa Pankaj Udhas & Sukhwinder Singh Anand Raj Anand Dev Kohli 2004 Chandi Jaisa Rang (Live)[34] Ghazal E Mohabbat, Vol. 1 Pankaj Udhas 2008 Ek Toh Sharab Kam Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam Pankaj Udhas Anu Malik 2009 Main Dil Ki Dil Mein Sanam Teri Kasam Pankaj Udhas & Kumar Sanu Nadeem-Shravan 2010 Sai Baba Geet Sudha Malik Ek Pankaj Udhas Anup Jalota 2010 Maango Ram TeJapp Mann Mere Sau Din Safal Ganeya Pucho Sant Mero Dhan Dhan Hamare Das Tere Ki Binti Tu Sabni Thai Tujh Bin Awar Shabad Pankaj Udhas Vaibhav Saxena & Gunjan Jha Guru Granth Sahib[35] 2011 Palchhin[36] Mata Ki Bhetein Pankaj Udhas & Sanghamitra Bharali Mohan Sharma 2011 Maiyya Pukaare Re (Duet)[37] 2011 Aarti[38] 2016 Raat Bhar Tanha Raha Dil Toh Deewana Hai Pankaj Udhas Anand Raj Anand He died around 11 am of prolonged illness on 26 February 2024, and his daughter shared the tragic news due to cancer Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai via Instagram. Well-known musician Pankaj Udhas died at the age of 72. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the celebrated musician. Awards 2006 – Pankaj Udhas Awarded Padmashree for his contribution to the art of ghazal singing his huge contribution to cancer patients and thallasemic children through his on the occasion of him completing 25 years of ghazal singing. 2006 – Awarded the prestigious “Kalakar” award at Kolkata for “Hasrat” as “Best Ghazal album of 2005”. 2004 – Special Felicitation at the Wembley Conference Center, London for Completing 20 Years of Performance at the Prestigious Venue. 2003 – MTV Immies Award for the successful album ‘In Search of Meer’. 2003 – Special Achievement Award at the Bollywood Music Award, New York for Popularizing Ghazals Across the Globe. 2003 – Dadabhai Naoroji Millennium Award conferred by the Dadabhai Naoroji International Society for Contribution to Ghazal and the Music Industry. 2002 – Award for Excellence in Music Field presented by Sahyog Foundation at Mumbai. 2002 – Honored by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. 2001 – Vocational Recognition Award for Outstanding Performance as a Ghazal singer presented by Rotary Club of Mumbai Downtown. 1999 – Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA Award for extraordinary services to Indian music, especially promotion of ghazals in India and abroad. Presented at the Festival of Ghazals held in New York. 1998 – Indian Arts Awards Gala presented by the Mayor of the City of Jersey City. 1998 – Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award presented by the American Academy of Artists at Atlantic City. 1996 – Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Award for Outstanding Services, Achievement and Contribution to Music. 1994 – Honorary Citizenship of Lubbock Texas, USA. 1994 – Radio Lotus Award for Outstanding Achievement and for the many songs featuring on the official hit parade of the radio. Presented by Radio Lotus, South Africa at the University of Durban. 1993 – Giants International Award for extraordinary efforts to achieve the highest standards in the field of music thereby motivating the entire community to pursue excellence. 1990 – Outstanding Young Persons’ Award (1989–90) for positive leadership and distinguish services rendered to the nation. Presented by the Indian Junior Chambers. 1985 – K L Saigal Award for being the Best Ghazal Singer of the Year. Albums Aahat (1980) Nasha (1997) Mukarrar (1981) Tarrannum (1982) Mehfil (1983) Shamakhana Pankaj Udhas Live at Albert Hall (1984) Nayaab (1985) Legend Khazana Aafreen (1986) Shagufta Nabeel Aashiyana (1992) Ek Dhun Pyar Ki (1992) Rubayee Teen Mausam Geetnuma Kaif Khayaal Aman Woh Ladki Yaad Aati Hai Stolen Moments Mahek (1999) Ghoonghat Muskan Dhadkan Best of Pankaj Udhas Vol-1,2 Pankaj Udas ‘Life Story’ Vol-1,2 Pankaj Udhas Vol-1,2,3,4 Lamha Janeman Jashn (2006) Endless Love Shaayar Rajuat (Gujarati) Baisakhi (Punjabi) Yaad Kabhi Ansoo Kabhi Khushboo Kabhi Naghuma Humnasheen In Search of Meer (2003) Hasrat (2005) Bhalobasha (Bengali) Yaara – Music by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Shabad – Music by Vaibhav Saxena and Gunjan Jha Shaayar (2010) Barbad Mohabbat Nasheela Sentimental (2013) Khamoshi Ki Aawaz (2014) Khwabon Ki Khahani (2015) Madhose Nayaab lamhe with Gulzar (2018)