Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas is no more: breathed his last at the age of 72 after prolonged illness, had received Padma Shri in 2006

Famous ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas has passed away today at the age of 72. His daughter Nayab has given information about his demise on social media. The ghazal singer was ill for the last several days. Pankaj Udhas got great recognition from the famous ghazal Chithi Aayi Hai.

Pankaj Udhas's daughter Nayab has shared this post on her social media handle.

Born in a landlord family
Pankaj Udhas was born on 17 May 1951 in Jetpur, Gujarat. He was the youngest among his three brothers. His family was from a town named Charkhadi near Rajkot. His grandfather was a zamindar and also the Diwan of Bhavnagar state. His father Keshubhai Udhas was a government employee, he was very fond of playing Israj. His mother Jituben Udhas was very fond of songs. This was the reason why Pankaj Udhas and his two brothers were always inclined towards music.

51 rupees were received in return for the song
Pankaj never thought that he would make his career through singing. In those days there was a war going on between India and China. During this time, Lata Mangeshkar's song 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon' was released. Pankaj liked this song very much. He composed this song with the same rhythm and tune without anyone's help.

One day the school principal came to know that he was better at singing, after which he was made the head of the school prayer team. Once Mata Rani's post was sitting in his colony. After Aarti-Bhajan at night, there used to be a cultural program there. On this day, Pankaj's school teacher came and requested him to sing a song in the cultural program.

Pankaj sang the song Aye mere watan ke logon. His song brought tears to the eyes of everyone sitting there. He also received a lot of applause. A man from the audience stood up and clapped for him and gave him Rs 51 as a reward.

Studied music from music academy
Both Pankaj's brothers Manhar and Nirjal Udhas are well-known names in the music industry. After this incident, the parents felt that Pankaj could also do better in the music field like his brothers, after which the parents got him admitted in the Music Academy in Rajkot.

Hurt by not getting work, he went abroad
After completing the course there, Pankaj used to perform on many big stage shows. He wanted to make a place in Bollywood like his brothers. For this he had to struggle for a long time for 4 years. During this period he did not get any major work. He gave voice to one of his songs in the film Kamna, but that film flopped, due to which he also did not get much popularity. Unhappy with not getting work, he decided to go and live abroad.

Had refused to work in the film whose song gained popularity
Pankaj got a lot of popularity abroad through the art of singing. During this time, actor and producer Rajendra Kumar listened to his songs and was very impressed. He wanted Pankaj to sing and also do a cameo for a film. For this his assistant talked to Pankaj but he refused.

Rajendra Kumar mentioned this and Pankaj's attitude to his brother Manhar. When Manhar told this to Pankaj, he felt very bad. He called Rajendra Kumar's assistant and fixed a meeting. After this meeting, he worked in the film Naam and lent his voice to the ghazal 'Chithi Aayi Hai'. This ghazal is one of the best ghazals of his career. This ghazal was edited by David Dhawan.

Raj Kapoor cried after listening to the song 'Chithi Aayi Hai'
Rajendra Kumar and Raj Kapoor were very good friends. One day he invited Raj Kapoor to his house for dinner. After dinner, in the voice of Pankaj Udhas, he recited the ghazal 'Chitthi has come to Raj Kapoor', and he cried. He said that this ghazal will give Pankaj a lot of popularity and no one else can sing this ghazal better than him.

Ghazal was recited at gunpoint
Gradually Pankaj fell in love with ghazal singing, for which he learned Urdu. Once he was giving a stage performance, where he had already sung 4-5 ghazals. Then a spectator came to him and requested for a ghazal. Pankaj did not like his behavior and he refused to sing. The man became so angry at this that he pointed the gun in front of Pankaj and asked him to sing. Pankaj was so scared by the man's actions that he sang a ghazal on his request.

Family members had no objection to marrying a Muslim girl
Pankaj married Farida on 11 February 1982. Both of them met at a common friend's wedding. Pankaj had liked Farida at first sight. At that time he was doing graduation and Farida was an air hostess. First there was friendship between the two, then love. Both wanted to get married. Pankaj's family had no objection to this relationship.

When Farida told her family about this relationship, they did not approve of this relationship. He did not want to get his daughter married in another religion. On Farida's request, Pankaj went to her house and talked about his relationship with her father. Farida's father was a retired police officer, hence Pankaj was very scared, but he won her heart with his words. Farida's father agreed to their marriage. After which both of them got married. Both have two daughters, Nayab and Reva.

Pankaj Udhas was honored with the Padmashree Award in 2006.

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