Pankaj Udhas (1951-2024) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Playback Singer
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	17/05/1951
Age	72 years (died on 26, Feb, 2024)
Birthplace	Jetpur, Gujarat
Date of Death	26/02/2024

Latest News about Pankaj Udhas

25/01/2025

The Padma Awards 2025 were announced on the eve of Republic Day, January 25, 2025, with Pankaj Udhas receiving the Padma Bhushan posthumously for his contributions to Indian music, particularly ghazals. His wife Farida Udhas accepted the award from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The honour recognizes his versatile singing career and philanthropy, including support for cancer and thalassemia patients.

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Bio/Wiki

Pankaj Udhas was an Indian ghazal and playback singer known for his works in Hindi cinema and Indian pop music. He was credited with bringing the ghazal singing style to mass audiences across India alongside musicians like Jagjit Singh and Talat Aziz. He started his career with the ghazal album 'Aahat' in 1980 and gained widespread fame with the song 'Chitthi Aayi Hai' from the 1986 film 'Naam'. Over his career, he released more than fifty albums and hundreds of compilation albums, performing concerts and tours globally.

Physical Stats & More

Height	173 cm
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

College/University	Sir Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat St Xavier's college, Mumbai Wilson College, Mumbai Sangeet Academy, Rajkot
Educational Qualification	Bachelor of Science degree from Wilson College, Mumbai
Religion	Hinduism

Personal Life

Place of Death	Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai
Death Cause	Prolonged Illness

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married
Affairs/Girlfriends	Farida Udhas
Marriage Date	11/02/1982
Spouse Name	Farida Udhas

Family

Father	Keshubhai Udhas
Mother	Jituben Udhas
Siblings	Manhar Udhas (elder singer) Nirmal Udhas (elder Manhar Udhas (elder singer) Nirmal Udhas (elder singer)
Spouse	Farida Udhas (former air hostess)
Children	Nayaab Udhas (event organiser) Reva Udhas (entrepreneur)

Career

Debut

Film (playback singer)	Kamna (1970)
Album	Aahat (1980)

Awards, Honours, Achievements

K L Saigal Award for being the Best Ghazal Singer of the Year in 1985
Outstanding Young Persons’ Award in 1990 from the Indian Junior Chambers for positive leadership and services to the nation
Giants International Award in 1993 for efforts to achieve the highest standards in the field of music
Radio Lotus Award in 1994 from Radio Lotus, South Africa at the University of Durban
Honorary Citizenship of Lubbock Texas, USA in 1994
Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Award for outstanding services, achievement, and contribution to music in 1996
Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award by the American Academy of Artists at Atlantic City in 1998
Indian Arts Awards Gala presented by the Mayor Jersey City in 1998
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA Award in 1999 for extraordinary services to Indian music, especially promotion of ghazals
Vocational Recognition Award in 2001 from Rotary Club of Mumbai Downtown
Honoured by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in 2002
Award for Excellence in Music Field presented by Sahyog Foundation at Mumbai in 2002
Dadabhai Naoroji Millennium Award in 2003 by the Dadabhai Naoroji International Society
Special Achievement Award at the Bollywood Music Award, New York in 2003
MTV Immies Award in 2003 for the album ‘In Search of Meer’
Special Felicitation at the Wembley Conference Center, London in 2004
“Kalakar” Award in 2006 for the album “Hasrat”
Padmashree Award in 2006 for contribution to the art of ghazal singing
More awards and recognitions
Padma Bhushan in 2025 (posthumous) for contributions to Indian music
Padma Shri Award in 2006 for contribution to the art of ghazal singing

Notable Songs

Chitthi Aayi Hai (Naam, 1986)
Mahiya Teri Kasam (Ghayal, 1990)
Na Kajre Ki Dhar (Mohra, 1994)
Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai
Tere Dar Ko Chhod Chale
Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise
Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata

Style Quotient

Car Collection	Fiat 1100 Mercedes Maybach S-Class Range Rover SV Audi A4 Car Audi A4

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Pankaj Udhas grew up in a family of Zamindars in Gujarat near Rajkot.
2. He developed a passion for music from watching his father and older brothers perform music.
3. At 13 years old, he learned Hindustani vocal classical music from Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab.
4. He made his stage debut during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
5. After facing tough competition as a playback singer, he transitioned to singing and recording ghazals.
6. He briefly moved to Canada for performances before returning to India.
7. He had a notable love story with Farida Udhas.
8. Pankaj Udhas released memorable ghazal albums like 'Mukarrar', 'Tarrannum', 'Aafreen', among others.
9. In addition to his music career, he actively engaged in charity work and fundraising.
10. He found inspiration in renowned artists like Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hasan.
11. He made his stage debut with the song 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo' during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and was gifted Rs 51 by a spectator for his performance.
12. Pankaj Udhas released memorable ghazal albums like 'Mukarrar' (1981), 'Tarrannum' (1982), 'Mehfil' (1983), 'Pankaj Udhas Live at Royal Albert Hall' (1984), 'Nayaab' (1985), and 'Aafreen' (1986).
13. He collaborated with renowned singers including Lata Mangeshkar and Sadhana Sargam on various duets.

Pankaj Udhas Playback Singer Indian Jetpur, Gujarat