26/02/2024
Unlike what Eliot said, ‘April is the cruelest month’, February 2024 is turning out to be one of the cruelest months … A week back, Ameen Sayani … a few days back Kumar Sahani … which is when I felt as if, Institutions are shutting down … and now Pankaj Udhas! What’s happening ??!!
A most genial person, he was instrumental in extending Jagjit Singh’s effort to popularise ghazal and make it mainstream ! His ‘Chithhi Ayee Hai’ performance, whether in film or on stage, has never not brought thousands to tears … no exceptions! It’s a must do NRI song of immense popularity which impacts whoever listens to it, and no matter how many times you listen to it! And of course a wholesome body of rich work in ghazal composing and singing and performing!
We had featured him in our Jagjit Singh film, Kaagaz Ki Kashti and he had spoken with great insight, adoration and affection on Jagjit Singh. That we had learned music from the same guru, Ustad Aslam Khan was an added connect as gurubhais! May his soul rest in peace! World is fast losing some of its most cherished sons!