'Pankaj Udhas made ghazals part of mainstream music', say Anshul Garg and Sagar Bhatia | Exclusive

Pankaj Udhas` death has sent shockwaves throughout the entire music industry

Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas has passed away after suffering from a prolonged illness, as stated by his family in a press release. The singer was renowned for his soulful ghazals and playback singing in films. The news of Pankaj Udhas' death has sent shockwaves throughout the entire music industry. Now, while talking to midday.com Anshul Garg and Sagar Bhatia have extended their condolences

Anshul Garg, while talking to midday.com shared, "It's heartbreaking to refer to Pankaj Udhas sir in the past tense. He has been a strong pillar of the Indian music scene, and he and Jagjit Singh ji made ghazals a part of mainstream music giving multiple pan-Indian successes. I have grown up listening to his songs and I still listen to his ghazal Aur Aahista on loop. I've had the good fortune of having seen him sing live twice, and the magic in his voice is the same in person as it is on tape. He will always be a legend of ghazal music and he showed us all how music can make you feel so many emotions. He was one of my first introductions to ghazal music and I have been an avid fan since. The evergreen innocence in his voice will forever be missed. He might have gone but his music will live forever. The Indian music industry truly lost a gem today."

Sagar Bhatia expresses that Pankaj Udhas has been his biggest inspiration. While talking ato midday.com he expressed his grief and said, "For any singer in the Indian music industry, Pankaj Udhas sir has been one of the biggest inspirations. The way he made ghazals a part of mainstream music paved a way for singers like me to explore a different genre like Qawwali. His influence in Indian music will forever be etched in history and it's truly saddening that he isn't with us anymore. The emotions of his songs always hit hard, but a little harder today."

"With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padmashri Pankaj Udhas on 26th February 2024 due to a prolonged illness," his daughter Nayab wrote in an Instagram post. The last rites will be held on Tuesday.