Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas is no more
PrashantNews
Pankaj Udhas, who popularized the ghazals among the common people, died on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 72.
Udhas became a big rage among the Indian youths in 1980s when he sang ghazals like “thodi thodi piya karo”. “Before the gazhals of Pankaj Udhas, we didn’t know much about sharyana style of singing. I must confess that I bought two-in-one (tape recorder) to play the ghazals of Pankaj Udhas,” said Rupesh Goel, a native of Dehradun.
But despite living under the shadow of his elder brother Manhar, Udhas rose on to establish himself a top ghazal singer in India. For singing ghazals, Udhas learnt urdu from a maulvi who used to teach his brother Manhar in Mumbai. “I am thankful to this learned Maulvi who taught me Urdu,” Manhar once said in an interview.
Though he used to sing in some functions, Udhas continued to struggle in 1970s. By the start of 1980s, his ghazals started gaining popularity in the country.
His first ghazal album, Aahat, was released in 1980. From this, he began to have success and, as of 2011 he has released more than fifty albums and hundreds of compilation albums.
In 1986, Udhas received another opportunity to sing “chithi ayi hai” for Mahesh Bhatt’s blockbuster movie Naam, In 1990, he sang the melodious duet “Mahiya Teri Kasam” with Lata Mangeshkar for movie Ghayal.
This song achieved immense popularity. In 1994, Udhas sang the notable song, “Na Kajre Ki Dhar”, from the film Mohra along with Sadhana Sargam which also became very popular.
He continued working as a playback singer, making some on-screen appearances in films such as Sajan, Yeh Dillagi, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Ayi.
His album Shagufta launched by Music India in December 1987 was the first to be released on compact disc in India. Later, Udhas started a talent hunt television program called Aadab Aarz Hai on SOny Entertainment TV.
Udhas also received Padam Shree.