Pankaj Udhas Biography

Pankaj Udhas, renowned for his mesmerizing voice and mastery of ghazal singing, emerged as a prominent figure in the Indian music industry. Debuting as a playback singer in the film “Kamna” in 1970 and releasing his first album “Aahat” in 1980, Udhas swiftly gained recognition for his soulful renditions.

Pankaj Udhas Age, Death, Wife, Family, Biography & More

His captivating performances earned him accolades, including the prestigious K L Saigal Award for Best Ghazal Singer of the Year in 1985. Born on May 17, 1951, He continues to enchant audiences worldwide with his timeless melodies and poetic expressions, solidifying his status as a maestro of ghazal singing.

Early Life

He was born into a family of Zamindars near Rajkot in Gujarat, and discovered his passion for music at a young age through his father’s hobby of playing the dilruba and his elder brothers’ stage performances. At 13, he began formal training in Hindustani classical music and later studied at the Sangeet Academy in Rajkot. His journey into the world of music saw him perform on stage for the first time during the Sino-Indian War in 1962.

Education

He was born in Mumbai, pursued his education at Sir Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, and later at St. Xavier’s College and Wilson College, both in Mumbai. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, before embarking on his illustrious music career.

Physical Stats

He stands at an approximate height of 173 centimeters, which is equivalent to 1.73 meters or about 5 feet 8 inches in feet and inches. He has striking black eyes and a matching black hair color, which adds to his charismatic presence on stage.

Wife and Children

At the time of his passing, Pankaj Udhas was married to Farida Udhas, a former air hostess, whom he wed on February 11, 1982. The couple was blessed with two daughters: Nayaab Udhas, an event organizer, and Reva Udhas, an entrepreneur.

Family

He was born to Keshubhai Udhas, a government servant, and Jituben Udhas. He had two elder brothers, Manhar Udhas and Nirmal Udhas, both accomplished singers.

Pankaj Udhas Father Keshubhai Udhas

Pankaj Udhas Brother Nirmal Udhas

Pankaj Udhas Brother Manhar Udhas

Pankaj Udhas with his Wife Farida Udhas

Pankaj Udhas with his Daughters

Death

Pankaj Udhas, born on May 17, 1951, in Jetpur, Gujarat, India, was a revered figure in the Indian music industry, celebrated for his enchanting ghazal renditions. Tragically, he passed away on February 26, 2024, at the age of 72, at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, after battling a prolonged illness. Udhas, a Taurus by zodiac sign, proudly represented Indian nationality throughout his illustrious career, leaving behind a rich legacy of timeless melodies.

Career

Pankaj Udhas, a legendary figure in Indian music, carved an illustrious career as a ghazal singer par excellence. Making his debut as a playback singer in 1970, Udhas faced stiff competition but soon found his niche in ghazal singing. His soulful renditions captivated audiences, propelling him to fame and acclaim. Despite initial struggles, he persevered and gained immense popularity, both in India and internationally. With numerous albums and concerts to his credit, Udhas became synonymous with timeless melodies and poetic expressions, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.

Tracks List

Albums List

• Aafreen (1986)
• Aahat (1980)
• Aashiyana (1992)
• Aman
• Anjana (1992)
• Best of Pankaj Udhas Vol-1, 2
• Dhadkan
• Ek Dhun Pyar Ki (1992)
• Geetnuma
• Ghoonghat
• Kaif
• Khamoshi Ki Aawaz (2014)
• Khayaal
• Khazana
• Khwabon Ki Khahani (2015)[18]
• Legend
• Madhose
• Mahek (1999)
• Mehfil (1983)
• Mukarrar (1981)
• Muskan
• Nabeel
• Nasha (1997)
• Nasheela
• Nayaab (1985)
• Nayaab lamhe with Gulzar (2018)
• Live at Albert Hall (1984)
• Rubayee
• Sentimental (2013)
• Shagufta
• Shamakhana
• Stolen Moments
• Tarrannum (1982)
• Teen Mausam
• Woh Ladki Yaad Aati Hai

Awards List

• 1985 – K L Saigal Award for being the Best Ghazal Singer of the Year.
• 1990 – Outstanding Young Persons’ Award (1989–90) for positive leadership and distinguished services rendered to the nation. Presented by the Indian Junior Chambers.
• 1993 – Giants International Award for extraordinary efforts to achieve the highest standards in the field of music thereby motivating the entire community to pursue excellence.
• 1994 – Honorary Citizenship of Lubbock Texas, USA.
• 1994 – Radio Lotus Award for Outstanding Achievement and for the many songs featuring on the official hit parade of the radio. Presented by Radio Lotus, South Africa at the University of Durban.
• 2002 – Award for Excellence in Music Field presented by Sahyog Foundation at Mumbai.
• 2002 – Honoured by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
• 2003 – Dadabhai Naoroji Millennium Award conferred by the Dadabhai Naoroji International Society for Contribution to Ghazal and the Music Industry.
• 2003 – MTV Immies Award for the successful album ‘In Search of Meer’.
• 2003 – Special Achievement Award at the Bollywood Music Award, New York for Popularizing Ghazals Across the Globe.
• 2004 – Special Felicitation at the Wembley Conference Center, London for Completing 20 Years of Performance at the Prestigious Venue.
• 2006 – Padma shri for his contribution to the art of ghazal singing, his huge contribution to cancer patients and thallasemic children on the occasion of him completing 25 years of ghazal singing.
• 2006 – Prestigious “Kalakar” award at Kolkata for “Hasrat” as “Best Ghazal album of 2005”.

Net Worth

The opulent mansion owned by Pankaj Udhas boasts a value exceeding Rs. 25 crore.

Some Lesser Known Facts About Pankaj Udhas

• Pankaj Udhas belonged to a family of Zamindars near Rajkot in Gujarat.
• After seeing his interest in music, his father decided to enroll him at the Sangeet Academy in Rajkot, where he took training for four years.
• He performed on stage for the first time during the Sino-Indian War in 1962. In the event, he sang the song “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo” and received Rs 51 as a reward for his performance.
• He found a passion for music by observing his father, who used to play the dilruba as a hobby, and his older brothers who were stage performers.
• At the age of 13, he learned Hindustani vocal classical music under the tutelage of Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab.
• Farida Udhas and he share a heartwarming love story that began when Pankaj was studying in college and Farida was working as an air hostess. They first met each other at one of Pankaj’s neighbor’s houses in 1979 and later started dating.
• After his initial struggling period in ghazal singing for around 4 years, he shifted to Canada and did few shows over there. However, he came back to India after spending 10 months there.
• He also took formal training in music from Navrang Nagpurkar, a singer from the Gwalior Gharana.
• Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hasan’s works inspired him to pursue ghazal singing.
• Before his performances, he used to chant the Hanuman Chalisa.
• On 27 February 2024, he passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. His funeral took place at Hindu Crematorium Worli, Mumbai on 27 February 2024 from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Many Bollywood celebs and other prominent persons including Sunny Deol, John Abraham, and Narendra Modi mourned his demise.

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