Sonu Nigam
paid his last respects at Pankaj Udhas’
funeral
on Tuesday, February 27. A video doing the rounds on social media shows the singer's emotional tribute, showing him visibly moved as he hugged
Shaan
and wiped away tears at the ghazal maestro's final rites.
Check out the photos here:
Apart from Sonu Nigam and Shaan, several celebrities such as
Vidya Balan
,
Zakir Hussain
, and
Shankar Mahadevan
were observed honoring the late singer at the funeral.
Speaking to the paparazzi, Shankar fondly recalled Pankaj as a "gentle soul" and praised him as a "remarkable musician" who popularized ghazals among the masses.
Pankaj Udhas's daughter and wife break down during funeral; singer laid to rest with state honours
Pankaj Udhas, the renowned singer, passed away on February 26 in Mumbai after battling a prolonged illness. The family conveyed the news through a statement to the press, expressing deep sorrow: "With a heavy heart, we announce the sad demise of Padmashri Pankaj Udhas on February 26, 2024, due to a prolonged illness."
Anup Jalota
disclosed that Pankaj had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had been fighting it for the past two to three months. "The man who assisted numerous cancer patients succumbed to cancer himself. That's life," Jalota remarked to The Indian Express. "He had pancreatic cancer. I was aware of this for the last 5 to 6 months, and he ceased communication with me in the last 2-3 months, indicating his deteriorating health. It saddens me deeply that this illness claimed his life."
Pankaj Udhas laid to rest: Shaan, Papon, Sunil Gavaskar and other celebs remember ghazal maestro
Born on May 17, 1951, in Jetpur, Gujarat, Pankaj Udhas embarked on his musical journey by releasing the ghazal album 'Aahat' in 1980. He swiftly became synonymous with ghazal music in India. His rendition of the iconic track 'Chitthi Aayee Hai' for Sanjay Dutt’s film 'Naam' further solidified his presence in Bollywood. Over the years, Pankaj released numerous albums and held numerous live concerts, significantly enhancing his popularity. His contributions to music were recognized with India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.
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