Pankaj Udhas to unveil album after three years

Pankaj Udhas to unveil album after three years

Pankaj Udhas

Veteran ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, whose hit numbers Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera and Chiththi Ayee Hai in the '80s were arguably on every music lover's playlist, sees great scope in the genre even today. The Padma Shri recipient is set to launch a ghazal album after a gap of three years. Titled Madhosh, the record will be unveiled by senior singer Suresh Wadkar at a concert on February 25.

"The album consists of six ghazals, which are all nostalgic numbers. Over the years, when I travelled across the world for concerts, fans would ask me to come up with songs like the ones I used to sing in the '80s. I am sure they will love the album," says Udhas, adding, "It's important to come up with new ghazals because there's always demand for them. Creating music is a challenging process and I love to test myself."

Udhas has been doing shows for nearly four decades now. Does it ever get monotonous? "What's special about ghazal singing is that every concert feels like a new beginning. I perform in different cities before a different audience every time. The members of my band are like jazz musicians. Whenever we perform, we challenge ourselves to do something new."

Asked if he is content with the way the newer breed of singers is taking the genre forward, he says, "I have a lot of faith and confidence in the future generation of ghazal singers; they will take the genre to the next level." However, he laments flimsy support from music companies. "I wish more labels back their albums and give more ghazals to music lovers," he adds.

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