Pankaj Udhas, born May 17, 1951, in Jetpur, Navagadh, Gujarat, India, was an Indian ghazal and playback singer. Raised in a Charan family, he received classical vocal training under Master Navrang Nagpurkar. He launched his career with his debut ghazal album, Aahat, in 1980, followed by studio and live albums including Mukarrar in 1981, Tarrannum in 1982, Mehfil in 1983, Pankaj Udhas Live at Royal Albert Hall in 1984, Aafreen in 1986, and Shagufta in 1987. His performance of the song “Chitthi Aayee Hai” for the 1986 film Naam established his career in Hindi film playback singing, followed by recordings including “Mahiya Teri Kasam” for Ghayal in 1990 and “Na Kajre Ki Dhar” for Mohra in 1994. In 2006, he received the Padma Shri. Udhas died of a prolonged illness in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, on February 26, 2024, at age 72, and was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2025.
