Pankaj Udhas has passed away at the age of 72 after a long illness

Pankaj Udhas, aged 72, has succumbed to a prolonged illness

Pankaj Udhas, the celebrated Ghazal singer, breathed his last at a hospital in Mumbai on Monday following a prolonged illness. He gained immense popularity for his soulful renditions of songs like ‘Chitthi Ayee Hai’ and ‘Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein’.

Pankaj Udhas, the renowned Ghazal singer, has sadly passed away after a long battle with illness. The confirmation of this news came through a social media post by his daughter, Nayaab Udhas. According to reports from family sources, the talented singer of popular songs like “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein” took his last breath at a hospital in Mumbai.

The family has shared the unfortunate news of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas’ passing on February 26 after battling a long illness. The music industry was deeply saddened by the loss of the renowned singer. Following the announcement on Monday afternoon, an outpouring of condolences flooded social media platforms as many expressed their shock and sorrow.

Udhas, born in Gujarat to a family with a strong musical inclination, embarked on his musical journey at a young age by enrolling at the Rajkot Sangeet Academy alongside his brothers. Under the guidance of Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab, he delved into the world of Hindustani vocal classical music. Eventually, he made his way to Mumbai to receive training from the renowned Gwalior Gharana singer, Navrang Nagpurkar.

According to reports, Udhas made his debut on the stage with a heartfelt rendition of “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” during the India-China war. This performance left a lasting impact on an audience member, who rewarded him with ₹51. His first official song credit came in the 1972 film “Kaamna,” directed by K Chatterjee.

Throughout the years, Udhas has released over fifty albums and numerous compilations, showcasing his immense talent. He has also lent his soulful voice to various Hindi films, including “Naam,” “Saajan,” and “Mohra.” While he continues to captivate audiences at ghazal events, his most recent contribution as a playback singer was for the 2016 film “Dil Toh Deewana Hai.”