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Born
1951

From
India

Journey

Pankaj Keshubhai Udhas was an Indian ghazal and playback singer whose career played an important role in bringing ghazal music to a broad Indian and international audience. Born in Jetpur, Gujarat, he grew up in a family with musical interests and developed an early connection with Indian music. His elder brothers, Manhar and Nirmal Udhas, were also singers. Udhas began performing publicly while still young and gradually pursued music as a profession. He initially explored playback singing before turning his attention to ghazals, a form that allowed him to combine poetry with a measured, accessible musical style. His first major ghazal album, "Aahat," appeared in 1980 and established the foundation for an extensive recording career. Albums including "Mukarar," "Tarrannum", "Mehfil," "Nayaab," and "Aafreen" followed during the 1980s, strengthening his reputation as a leading ghazal performer. His career reached a much wider audience through Hindi cinema. In Mahesh Bhatt's 1986 film "Naam," Udhas performed “Chitthi Aayi Hai,” a song centered on distance from home and the emotional pull of one's homeland. Its popularity became a defining moment in his career and introduced his voice to listeners who might not otherwise have encountered ghazal music. He subsequently contributed playback songs to films including "Saajan," "Mohra," "Yeh Dillagi," and other Hindi productions. Udhas was equally committed to the concert stage. He performed at major venues in India and abroad, including the Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, Sydney Opera House, and O2 Arena. His international concerts helped establish a lasting connection between Indian ghazal music and audiences in the global Indian diaspora. His catalogue extended across several decades and included romantic, reflective and poetry-centered recordings. Among his widely remembered songs are “Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera,” “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein,” “Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise,” and “Ghungroo Toot Gaye.” Beyond recording and touring, Udhas supported charitable initiatives, including work connected with cancer care and thalassemia. In recognition of his contribution to music, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2006. Following his death, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2025. The official citation described his contribution to ghazal singing and his role in taking Indian music to audiences around the world. Udhas died in Mumbai on 26 February 2024 at the age of 72. His legacy rests on an extensive body of recordings, decades of international performances, and a distinctive ability to present poetic music in a form that reached far beyond traditional ghazal audiences. In May 2026, Mumbai further commemorated his contribution by inaugurating Padma Bhushan Pankaj Udhas Chowk at Peddar Road on his 75th birth anniversary.