Music lovers are facing a heartbreaking moment as the legendary ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas has bid farewell to this world. Having lent his melodious voice to numerous songs and ghazals, Pankaj Udhas breathed his last at the age of 72.
Nayab Udhas, Pankaj’s daughter, confirmed the news of his demise on social media, indicating that he passed away following an extended illness. She shared, 'With profound grief, it is announced that Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas passed away on 26 February 2024. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness and was admitted to the hospital ten days ago. His last rites will be performed on Tuesday.'
Sonu Nigam Expresses Grief
Just like many others who adored Pankaj Udhas, Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam felt like he had lost a significant part of his childhood. Honoring Pankaj, Sonu wrote, 'One of the most important parts of my childhood is no more. Mr. Pankaj Udhas Ji, I will forever miss you. My heart is in mourning knowing you are no longer here. Thank you for gracing this world. Om Shanti.'
Anup Jalota Reaches Out
Bhajan singer Anup Jalota also reacted to Pankaj’s passing. Sharing his sentiments on social media, he wrote, 'Shocking... Music legend and my friend Pankaj Udhas is no more. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family and all his fans during this difficult time.' In conversation with Aaj Tak, Anup mentioned, 'It pains my heart to see him go. We had met not long ago.'
Pankaj Udhas’s PR informed that the singer passed away around 11 am on 26 February at Breach Candy Hospital after a long illness. The news of his demise has spread a wave of sorrow across the music community. Losing someone like Pankaj Udhas, who was a gem in the world of ghazal singing, has left his fans and followers deeply grieved as they pay their final tributes on social media.
A Friend Lost
Anup Jalota expressed his sorrow, saying in an interview with Aaj Tak - 'I knew Pankaj Ji's health was deteriorating over the last 5-6 days but didn't mention it to anyone. This illness didn't seem to let go of him. I can't believe it happened so suddenly. For the past two or three months, I had been trying to get in touch with Pankaj Ji but couldn't reach him. I understood that his health was getting worse. I kept in contact with his daughter, Nayab. It's not just about losing Pankaj Udhas, we have lost an incredible ghazal singer. I lost a dear friend. We had such a strong bond. We would discuss everything. Pankaj, Talat, and I were a famous trio, full of affection for each other. I deeply regret his departure. The way he brought ghazals into people’s hearts so effortlessly was a significant contribution. He cannot be forgotten. I only pray for his soul to rest in peace.'
Marriage Proposals for Sameera Reddy After a Hit Song
Actress Sameera Reddy, who kicked off her career with Pankaj Udhas’s song 'Aur Ahista...', shared her condolences, saying - 'I owe everything I am today to him. I began my journey in the industry with his song 'Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein.' It was an honor for me. Nobody can forget the beautiful portrayal of that era. He was a legend, is a legend, and will always remain one. I was fortunate enough to have done his song, even though we never met until years later. When we finally met at a function, he warmly said that he was glad we finally met after the song became a hit. It's quite surprising, but I received numerous marriage proposals after that song. I even got film offers because of it. Surely, that song was a milestone in my life. I had shared with him how his song was the reason behind my acting career.'
Pankaj Ji, an Inspiration and a King in His Domain
Indian Idol winner and singer Abhijeet Sawant said - 'My interactions with Pankaj Ji go back to even before Indian Idol. Back in the 90s, when I was learning music, his ghazals stood out as they transcended the traditional boundaries and were presented in an entirely different light. To our generation, he was not just a ghazal singer but also a pop icon. He has always been close to our hearts. At that time, his songs were those that mirrored the youth. This is a huge personal loss for me. He was so affable every time we met. My teacher recorded many of his albums, and so our paths often crossed during recording sessions. His attire, his mannerisms were very special, and he was a source of inspiration. We would dream of living life like him someday. He lived a royal life. It’s very sad that he is no longer with us.'
