In a solemn moment for the world of music, legendary ghazal and playback singer Pankaj Udhas bid farewell to the mortal world. The voice that resonated with longing and heartache, often stirring the deepest emotions, fell silent on Monday as Udhas succumbed to months of battling pancreatic cancer at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. He was 72.
During the 1980s, a period when ghazal music surged in popularity across India, Udhas emerged as a prominent figure, captivating audiences with his soul-stirring renditions. One of his most poignant performances was in Mahesh Bhatt’s “Naam” (1986), where he poured his heart into the haunting lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi. The song “Chitthi aayi hai” struck a chord with millions, particularly the diaspora, evoking tears and nostalgia with its verses that spoke of longing and separation. Lines like “Tune paisa bohot kamaya, iss paise ne desh chhudaya…” and “Desh paraya, chhod ke aaja, panchhi pinjara tod ke aaja…” touched the depths of listeners’ souls, transporting them to distant homes and cherished memories left behind.
Survived by his older brothers Manhar and Nirmal, wife Farida, and daughters Nayaab and Rewa, Udhas leaves behind a legacy that transcends generations. His daughter Nayaab, in an Instagram post, announced the sad demise of the Padmashri awardee, expressing the family’s profound grief. The final rites of the iconic singer are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, marking the end of an era in Indian music.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the many who mourned Udhas’s passing, recognizing his immense contribution to the cultural tapestry of the nation. Modi, recalling his interactions with the maestro over the years, described Udhas as a beacon of Indian music, whose melodies resonated across generations.
Udhas’s journey into the world of music began in Jetpur, Gujarat, in 1951, where he was born into a music-loving family. Encouraged by his father, Udhas embarked on a musical odyssey at a young age, learning tabla at the Sangeet Natya Akademi in Rajkot. It was there that his passion for vocal classical music blossomed under the tutelage of Master Navrang Nagpurkar, a renowned guru from the Bhendi Bazaar gharana.
Following in the footsteps of his elder brother Manhar, Udhas ventured into the bustling music scene of Mumbai, where he honed his craft and carved a niche for himself amidst stalwarts like Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, and Jagjit Singh. Udhas’s mellifluous voice and profound expressions resonated deeply with audiences, earning him widespread acclaim and adulation. Despite his relatively understated vocal style, he ascended to remarkable heights, becoming a stalwart in the world of ghazals and playback singing.
As the curtains fall on Pankaj Udhas’s illustrious journey, his music continues to reverberate in the hearts of millions, serving as a timeless reminder of love, longing, and the human experience. The legacy of Pankaj Udhas, the voice of longing and heartache, will endure as a testament to the enduring power of music to transcend boundaries and touch the deepest recesses of the soul.