RNS: The world of music is in mourning as legendary Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas has passed away after a prolonged illness. His daughter, Nayaab Udhas, confirmed the sad news in a heartfelt social media post.
Family sources disclosed that the iconic singer breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital around 11 am. The last rites are scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
The Padma Shri awardee was known for his many hits like “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Pankaj Udhas on February 26, after battling a long illness,” expressed the family’s statement, reflecting the deep sorrow of the loss.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on platform X, tweeting, “We mourn the loss of Pankaj Udhas Ji, whose singing conveyed a range of emotions and whose Ghazals spoke directly to the soul. He was a beacon of Indian music, whose melodies transcended generations. I recall my various interactions with him over the years.”
“His departure leaves a void in the music world that can never be filled. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the tweet added.
Born in Gujarat to a musically inclined family, Udhas enrolled at the Rajkot Sangeet Academy alongside his brothers at a young age. He later began learning Hindustani vocal classical music from Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab and eventually moved to Mumbai to train under Gwalior Gharana singer Navrang Nagpurkar.
