Pankaj Udhas

Pankaj Udhas, a renowned ghazal singer, was awarded the coveted Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award in 2006. He recorded many hit ghazals like ‘Mukarar’ in 1981, ‘Tarrannum’ in 1982, ‘Mehfil' in 1983, ‘Nayoab' in 1985, ‘Aafreen' in 1986, and more.

Udhas further rose to fame for singing in the film ‘Naam’, in which his song 'Chitthi Aayee Hait’ became an instant hit, after which he did playback singing for many Hindi films.

Aahat, his first ghazal album was released in 1980. As a result of his success, he has released more than fifty albums and hundreds of compilation albums. ‘Aafreen’ (1986), ‘Mahek’ (1999), ‘Humsafar’ (2000), ‘Hasrat’ (2005), and ‘Mehfil’ (2006) are among his other chart-topping albums (2006). ‘Mahiya Teri Kasam’, ‘Na Kajre ki Dhar’, ‘Jeeye to Jeeye Kaise’, ‘Chupana Bhi Nahi Aata’, and ‘Aur Ahista Kiji Baatein’ are among his notable hits.

He was honored with many awards for his contribution to the field of ghazals and Bollywood songs like the ‘Special Achievement Award' at the Bollywood Music Award, New York for popularizing ghazals across the globe.

Pankaj, who was inspired by Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hasan, gave ghazals a new life in an era when they were on the decline and continued to sing and perform live. He is known for his wide range of albums and live concerts around the globe.