Pankaj Udhas, the Legendary Ghazal Singer, breathed his last at the age of 72

Pankaj Udhas best known for ‘Chitthi Aayi Hai’ breathes his last at 72

Pankaj Udhas passed away at approximately 11 am at Breach Candy Hospital following an extended illness.

The Udhas family confirmed his death on Monday was due to a prolonged illness.

Daughter Discloses the Cause of His Death

Pankaj Udhas’ passing was confirmed by his daughter in a heartfelt post.

Nayaab, Pankaj Udhas’ daughter, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt statement, announcing her father’s passing on February 26, 2024, after battling a prolonged illness.

Following Nayaab’s announcement, an outpouring of condolences flooded the comment section from grieving fans. Messages expressing sympathy and prayers for the departed soul filled the space, illustrating the profound impact of Udhas’ music on his audience.

According to a family source, Udhas passed away at Breach Candy Hospital around 11 am. His funeral rites are scheduled for Tuesday. He is survived by his wife Farida Udhas, daughters Nayaab and Reva Udhas, and his brothers Nirmal and Manhar Udhas, both esteemed singers in their own right.

The music industry was stunned and deeply saddened by the singer’s passing. Condolences flooded in swiftly as news of the loss spread on Monday afternoon, with numerous individuals expressing their disbelief and sorrow through various social media platforms.

Born into a family with a rich musical heritage in Gujarat, Udhas embarked on his musical journey alongside his brothers at the Rajkot Sangeet Academy. His passion for Hindustani classical music led him to seek tutelage under Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab, before he pursued further training under the guidance of Navrang Nagpurkar from the Gwalior Gharana, ultimately relocating to Mumbai for his musical education.

It is reported that his inaugural stage performance featured a rendition of “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” during the India-China war, a poignant moment that earned him a reward of ₹51 from an impressed audience member. His debut in the world of cinema came with a song credit in the 1972 film “Kaamna,” directed by K. Chatterjee.

Throughout his illustrious career, Udhas has released over fifty albums and numerous compilations, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. His soulful voice graced many Hindi films, including “Naam,” “Saajan,” and “Mohra.” While continuing to enchant audiences with his performances at various ghazal events, his last known contribution as a playback singer was for the 2016 film “Dil Toh Deewana Hai.”

Pankaj Udhas has left an enduring legacy with his soulful renditions in iconic tracks such as “Chitthi Aayi Hai” from Mahesh Bhatt’s 1986 crime thriller “Naam,” “Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai” from Pravin Bhatt’s 1998 film “Ek Hi Maqsad,” and “Aaj Phir Tumpe” from Feroz Khan’s 1988 action thriller “Dayavan.”

His mesmerizing vocals also graced the melodies of “Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise” from Lawrence D’Souza’s 1991 romantic film “Saajan” and “Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata” from Abbas-Mustan’s 1993 revenge thriller “Baazigar,” among numerous other memorable tracks.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Pankaj opened up on getting back on stage after a hiatus. “Before the pandemic, there used to be a lot of confidence in me before any concert. But the pandemic phase was tough, even psychologically.

Though I did my riyaaz regularly and tried to keep up and not get rusted, there was a lack of exposure to the stage and audience. So, when I got back on stage after two years with a concert in Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), I was really nervous. But when I went up on stage and saw 6,000 people cheering for me, I had tears in my eyes. It was a very emotional moment, as I was deprived of the stage for so long,” he said.

Pankaj Udhas’ Final Instagram Post

As social media mourns the loss of Pankaj Udhas, his last post on social media has garnered significant attention, evoking emotional responses from netizens.

Notably, his last Instagram and Facebook update dates back to Diwali 2023. In this poignant post, he extended heartfelt Diwali wishes, expressing hopes for new dreams and prosperity.

With a caption that resonates with warmth and optimism, he wrote, “May the festival of lights bring you new hopes and new dreams. May the divine light of Diwali illuminate your life and banish all darkness.

Wishing you a prosperous and healthy Diwali, filled with peace, joy, sweet treats, and cherished memories.”

As the post continues to circulate, users are expressing their condolences in the comment section. One user expressed their shock, saying, “This is unbelievable. We’ll miss you dearly, sir.” Another user conveyed appreciation, commenting, “Thank you, sir, for blessing us with your tranquil voice.”

Meanwhile, numerous celebrities have expressed their grief over Pankaj Udhas’ passing on social media platforms. Among them, Abhishek Bachchan shared his condolences on Twitter (now X), describing Udhas’ demise as an irreplaceable loss to the music industry. He offered heartfelt sympathies to Udhas’ family and friends during this challenging period, concluding with a prayer for peace.

Manoj Bajpayee also expressed his sorrow at the passing of Pankaj Udhas, writing, “Heartbreaking!!! Rest in peace, Pankaj Udhas ji! I had the privilege of listening to you and being enchanted by the sweetness of your voice and melody! Om Shanti, a great artist and an excellent human being!”

 

Also Read: “Anupamaa” Actor Rituraj Singh 59 Passes Away Due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A Tragic loss 💔

Source: Mint, India Today , Instagram Twitter

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