Legendary Indian Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas passes away

MUMBAI: The world of music mourns the loss of a true icon as Indian ghazal maestro, Pankaj Udhas, passed away on February 26 after battling a prolonged illness.

Udhas, whose velvety voice captivated hearts across borders, etched his name in the annals of musical history with his soul-stirring compositions.

Embarking on his musical journey in 1980, Udhas swiftly rose to prominence with his debut album ‘Aahat’, a masterpiece that resonated not just in India but reverberated through the soul of every ghazal aficionado across the region, including Pakistan.

The pinnacle of Udhas’s career was marked by his unforgettable rendition of ‘Chitthi Aayee Hai’ in the Bollywood blockbuster ‘Naam’ (1986), catapulting him to unparalleled fame. Collaborating with luminaries like Lata Mangeshkar, Udhas shattered records with timeless melodies such as ‘Mahiya Teri Kasam’ from the movie Ghayal.

While his contributions to Bollywood were significant, Udhas remained faithful to his roots, weaving magical ghazals that transcended borders, earning adoration not only in India but also in Pakistan.

In recognition of his unparalleled talent, Udhas was bestowed with the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Indian government in 2006, among numerous other accolades, cementing his status as a musical maestro.

Despite battling the ravages of time and illness, Udhas’s passion for music remained undiminished. However, on that fateful morning of February 26th, the melodies fell silent as Udhas breathed his last in a private hospital in Mumbai, surrounded by the love and prayers of millions.

The news of Udhas’s passing, conveyed by his grief-stricken daughter Nayaab Udhas through a poignant Instagram post, sent shockwaves through the music fraternity of India and Pakistan.

While the specifics of his illness remain undisclosed, the somber reality of his departure marks the end of an era, leaving behind a profound void in the hearts of music lovers worldwide.

As tributes pour in from all corners of the globe, Pankaj Udhas’s legacy of timeless melodies and soulful renditions will continue to echo through the corridors of time, immortalizing him as an eternal maestro whose music transcends the boundaries of language and culture.