Pankaj Udhas

Born on 17 May 1951 in Jetpur, Gujarat, Pankaj Udhas grew up in a musically attuned home—his father played the dilruba and encouraged musical training for Pankaj and his brothers, both of whom also became singers. Young Pankaj began with tabla lessons in Rajkot before shifting to Hindustani classical vocal training, later perfecting his craft in Mumbai under Navrang Nagpurkar. His first public performance as a child, where he sang “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon,” earned a modest yet memorable reward of Rs. 51 from a delighted audience member. His debut ghazal album Aahat in 1980 heralded the arrival of a powerful new voice in Indian music. In quick succession came Mukarar, Tarrannum, Mehfil, Nayaab and Aafreen—each record reinforcing his standing. The turning point in his career arrived in 1986 when Mahesh Bhatt invited him to render “Chitthi Aayee Hai” for the film Naam. The emotional depth of that song not only cemented his fame as a playback singer but underscored his ability to bridge ghazal sensibilities with mainstream cinema. Over the years, Udhas deftly blended poetic ghazal traditions with cinematic expression. Hits like “Mahiya Teri Kasam” (with Lata Mangeshkar), “Na Kajre Ki Dhar,” “Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise,” and evocative non-film ghazals like “Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera” delighted diverse audiences. Beyond albums and films, he remained close to poetry—honouring Ghalib, Meer, Faiz and collaborating with poets like Zafar Gorakhpuri and Gulzar, including in projects such as In Search of Meer, Forever Ghalib, Stolen Moments and Nayaab Lamhe. Udhas’s career was studded with honours: a Padma Shri in 2006 and posthumous Padma Bhushan in 2025 among many accolades. But what people remember most is his warmth—listeners frequently recall his smile, humility, and regard for ghazal as spiritual rather than commercial. When he passed away on 26 February 2024, tributes flowed from across the globe, marking the end of an era but leaving behind a silhouette of artistry that will continue to echo through every soulful rendition.