 "India's Ghazal Icon Pankaj Udhas: Things to know about the legendary singer")
Pankaj Udhas was born in Jetpur (Gujarat) to Keshubhai Udhas and Jituben Udhas. His brothers Nirmal Udhas and Manhar Udhas are also singers.
Childhod and first performance
When he was a child, his father enrolled him at the Sangeet Academy in Rajkot. Udhas initially wanted to learn the tabla but later began learning Hindustani vocal classical music. He gave his first stage performance in 1962, when he sang “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon”, and got a reward of Rs 51 from a member of the audience.
Education and debut
He completed his graduation from St. Xavier’s College Mumbai while training in Indian
classical vocal music under the tutelage of Master Navrang. Udhas confessed in an interview
that his childhood ambition was to become a doctor and not a singer, but fate had other plans.
He released his first ghazal album ‘Aahat’ in 1980. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, in 2006.
In 1986, Mahesh Bhatt invited him to sing a ghazal in his film “Naam”. Udhas’ song “Chitthi Aayee Hai” became an instant hit. He sang in many Hindi films after that.
His most memorable melodies
Chandni raat mein (1984)
Non-film song
Chitthi aayi hai
(1986)
Movie: Naam
Thodi thodi
Piya Karo (1986)
Non-film song
Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai (1988)
Movie: Ek Hi Maqsad
Jeeye To Jeeye
Kaise (1991)
Movie: Saajan
Na Kajre Ki
Dhaar (1994)
Movie: Mohra
Aur Aahista
Kijiye Baatein
(1998)
Non-film song