Pankaj Udhas
Encyclopedia
Pankaj Udhas is an Indian singer
, credited in the Indian music industry, along with other musicians like Jagjit Singh and Talat Aziz
, with bringing the style to the realm of popular music. Udhas rose to fame for singing in the film Naam (1986 film)
, in which his song Chitthi Aayee Hai became an instant hit. Following that, he has also performed as a playback singer for numerous films. He has recorded many albums since then and tours the world as an accomplished ghazal
singer. In 2006, Pankaj Udhas was awarded the Padmashree.
achieved some success as a Hindi playback singer in Bollywood
movies. His second elder brother Nirmal Udhas
is also a well-known Ghazal Singer and was the first of the three brothers to start singing in the family. He had studied in Sir BPTI Bhavanagar. His family moved to Mumbai
and Pankaj attended St. Xavier's College
in Mumbai
.
, when he sang "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon" and was given Rs. 51 by an audience member as a reward.
Four years later, he joined the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot and learned the nuances of playing the tabla. After that, he pursued a Bachelor of Science
degree at Wilson College, and St Xavier's collage Mumbai and started training in Indian classical vocal under the tutelage of Master Navrang.
Udhas' first song was in film Kamna a solo song composed by Usha Khanna and written by Naqsh Lailpuri the film was a flop but his rendition was very much appreciated.
Subsequently, Udhas developed an interest in ghazal
s and learned Urdu to try to pursue a career as a ghazal singer. He spent ten months in Canada and U S A doing ghazal concerts and returned to India with renewed vigour and confidence.
His first ghazal album, Aahat, was released in 1980. From this, he began to have success and, as of 2011 he has released more then 50 albums and hundreds of compilation albums
In 1986, Udhas received another opportunity to perform in film, in the film Naam, which brought him fame. In 1990, he sang the melodious duet 'Mahiya Teri Kasam' with the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar
, for the movie Ghayal
. This song achieved immense popularity. In 1994, Udhas sang the notable song, Na Kajre Ki Dhar, from the film Mohra. He continued working as a playback singer
, making some on-screen appearances in films such as Saajan, Yeh Dillagi, and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee.
Later, Udhas started a talent hunt television program called Aadab Aarz Hai on Sony Entertainment Television
Music of India
The music of India includes multiple varieties of folk, popular, pop, classical music and R&B. India's classical music tradition, including Carnatic and Hindustani music, has a history spanning millennia and developed over several eras. It remains fundamental to the lives of Indians today as...
, credited in the Indian music industry, along with other musicians like Jagjit Singh and Talat Aziz
Talat Aziz
Talat Aziz is a popular ghazal singer from Hyderabad, India.-Early life:Born in Hyderabad, India to Abdul Azeem Khan and Sajida Abid, a famous Urdu writer and poet...
, with bringing the style to the realm of popular music. Udhas rose to fame for singing in the film Naam (1986 film)
Naam (1986 film)
Naam is a 1986 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by Mahesh Bhatt, starring Nutan, Sanjay Dutt, Poonam Dhillon, Amrita Singh, Paresh Rawal and Kumar Gaurav.-Plot:...
, in which his song Chitthi Aayee Hai became an instant hit. Following that, he has also performed as a playback singer for numerous films. He has recorded many albums since then and tours the world as an accomplished ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
singer. In 2006, Pankaj Udhas was awarded the Padmashree.
Early life
Pankaj Udhas was born in Jetpur near Rajkot in Gujarat and is the youngest of three brothers. He hails from Charakhdi a small village near Rajkot in Gujrat.His father's name is Keshubhai Udhas and mother's name is Jituben Udhas. His eldest brother Manhar UdhasManhar Udhas
Manhar Udhas is Hindi and Gujarati language singer. He has given voice for many Hindi movies as playback singer. He is the elder brother of singer Pankaj Udhas and Nirmal Udhas and has worked with Pankaj on albums and Live Shows. Manhar has worked with all the composers of the film world and has...
achieved some success as a Hindi playback singer in Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
movies. His second elder brother Nirmal Udhas
Nirmal Udhas
Nirmal Udhas is a renowned ghazal singer and is the second eldest brother of the famous Udhas brothers, the others being Manhar Udhas and Pankaj Udhas. Nirmal as well as the other brothers come from a humble background in Gujarat, India. Nirmal was son to Keshubhai Udhas and Jitubhen Udhas and was...
is also a well-known Ghazal Singer and was the first of the three brothers to start singing in the family. He had studied in Sir BPTI Bhavanagar. His family moved to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
and Pankaj attended St. Xavier's College
St. Xavier's College, Bombay
St. Xavier's College in Mumbai , India is a Roman Catholic college in the Jesuit tradition. The college is named after Francis Xavier, the 16th century Spanish Jesuit saint. It has been awarded the highest rating A+ in the re-accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in...
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
.
Career
Pankaj Udhas' older brother, Manhar, was a stage performer and this aided Pankaj in his introduction to musical performance. His first stage performance was during the Sino-Indian WarSino-Indian War
The Sino-Indian War , also known as the Sino-Indian Border Conflict , was a war between China and India that occurred in 1962. A disputed Himalayan border was the main pretext for war, but other issues played a role. There had been a series of violent border incidents after the 1959 Tibetan...
, when he sang "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon" and was given Rs. 51 by an audience member as a reward.
Four years later, he joined the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot and learned the nuances of playing the tabla. After that, he pursued a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree at Wilson College, and St Xavier's collage Mumbai and started training in Indian classical vocal under the tutelage of Master Navrang.
Udhas' first song was in film Kamna a solo song composed by Usha Khanna and written by Naqsh Lailpuri the film was a flop but his rendition was very much appreciated.
Subsequently, Udhas developed an interest in ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
s and learned Urdu to try to pursue a career as a ghazal singer. He spent ten months in Canada and U S A doing ghazal concerts and returned to India with renewed vigour and confidence.
His first ghazal album, Aahat, was released in 1980. From this, he began to have success and, as of 2011 he has released more then 50 albums and hundreds of compilation albums
In 1986, Udhas received another opportunity to perform in film, in the film Naam, which brought him fame. In 1990, he sang the melodious duet 'Mahiya Teri Kasam' with the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
, for the movie Ghayal
Ghayal (1990 film)
Ghayal is a 1990 Indian Hindi film starring Sunny Deol. The film was produced by Dharmendra and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The film won seven Filmfare Awards, including the Best Movie award...
. This song achieved immense popularity. In 1994, Udhas sang the notable song, Na Kajre Ki Dhar, from the film Mohra. He continued working as a playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
, making some on-screen appearances in films such as Saajan, Yeh Dillagi, and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee.
Later, Udhas started a talent hunt television program called Aadab Aarz Hai on Sony Entertainment Television
Sony Entertainment Television
Sony Entertainment Television is a series of general entertainment television channels, owned by Sony Pictures Television. At least 9 International versions of this channel exist:*Sony Entertainment Television Asia...
Awards
- 2006 - Pankaj Udhas Awarded Padmashree for completing his Silver Jubilee in Gazal singing career.
- 2006 - Awarded the prestigious "Kalakar" award at Kolkotta for "Hasrat" as "Best Ghazal album of 2005".
- 2004 - Special Felicitation at the Wembley Conference Center, London for Completing 20 Years of Performance at the Prestigious Venue.
- 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.
- 2003 - Dadabhai Naoroji Millennium Award conferred by the Dadabhai Naoroji International Society for Contribution to Ghazal and the Music Industry.
- 2002 - Award for Excellence in Music Field presented by Sahyog Foundation at Mumbai.
- 2002 - Honored by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
- 2001 - Vocational Recognition Award for Outstanding Performance as a Ghazal singer presented by Rotary Club of Mumbai Downtown.
- 1999 - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA Award for extraordinary services to Indian music, especially promotion of ghazals in India and abroad. Presented at the Festival of Ghazals held in New York.
- 1998 - Indian Arts Awards Gala presented by the Mayor of the City of Jersey City.
- 1998 - Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award presented by the American Academy of Artists at Atlantic City.
- 1996 - Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Award for Outstanding Services, Achievement and Contribution to Music.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1990 - Outstanding Young Persons' Award (1989-90) for positive leadership and distinguish services rendered to the nation. Presented by the Indian Junior Chambers.
- 1985 - K L Saigal Award for being the Best Ghazal Singer of the Year.
Albums by Pankaj Udhas
- Aahat (1980)
- Mukarrar
- Tarrannum
- Mehfil
- Shamakhana
- Pankaj Udhas Live at Albert Hall
- Nayaab
- Legends
- Khazana
- Aafreen
- Shagufta
- Nabeel
- Aashiana
- Rubayee
- Teen Mausam
- Geetnuma
- Kaif
- Khayaal
- Aman
- Kabhi Ansoo Kabhi Khushboo
- Woh Ladki Yaad Aati Hai
- Stolen Moments
- Mahek
- Ghoonghat
- Muskan
- Lamha
- Janeman
- iin Search of Meer
- Jashn
- Endless Love
- shaayar
- Shagufta
- Aman
- Mehfil
- Rajuat (Gujarati)
- Baisakhi (Punjabi)
- Geetnuma * Yaad
- Stolen Moments
- Kabhi Ansoo Kabhi Khushboo Kabhi Naghuma * Humnasheen * Aafreen * Woh Ladki Yaad Aati Hai
- Rubaayee
- Mahek
- Ghoonghat
- Muskaan
- In Search of Meer (2003)
- Hasrat
- Bhalobasha (Bengali)
- Endless Love
- Yaara - Music by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
- Shabad - Music by Vaibhav SaxenaVaibhav SaxenaVaibhav Saxena is a music director. He was born on 13 Dec 1986 at Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India .- Albums :ShabadTimes Music releases SHABAD, a devotional album rendered by Mr. Pankaj Udhas and music directed by Vaibhav Saxena and Gunjan Jha...
and Gunjan Jha - Shaayar (2010)