Pankaj Udhas
| Pankaj Udhas | |
|---|---|
 Pankaj Udhas at Westin Hotel New Year Bash | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
17 May 1951 Jetpur, Gujarat, India |
| Occupation(s) | Ghazal singer |
| Website |
www |
Pankaj Udhas is a ghazal singer, hailing from Gujarat in India. He started his career with a release of a ghazal album titled Aahat in 1980 and subsequently recorded many hits like Mukarar in 1981, Tarrannum in 1982, Mehfil in 1983, Pankaj Udhas Live at Royal Albert Hall in 1984, Nayaab in 1985 and Aafreen in 1986. After his success as a ghazal singer, he was invited to appear and sing for a film by Mahesh Bhatt, Naam. Udhas rose to further fame for singing in the 1986 film Naam, in which his song "Chitthi Aayee Hai" became an instant hit. He did playback singing for many Hindi films after that. Albums and live concerts around the globe brought him fame as a singer. In 2006, Pankaj Udhas was awarded the coveted Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.[1]
His brothers Manhar Udhas and Nirmal Udhas are also singers.
Early life
Pankaj Udhas was born in Jetpur in Gujarat to a Gujarati family and is the youngest of the three brothers.[2] He hails from Charakhdi, a small village near Rajkot in Gujarat. His parents are Keshubhai Udhas and Jituben Udhas. His eldest brother Manhar Udhas achieved some success as a Hindi playback singer in Bollywood films. 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.
Career
Pankaj Udhas' older brother, Manhar Udhas was a stage performer that aided Pankaj in his introduction to musical performance. His first stage performance was during the Sino-Indian War, when he sang "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" 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 college, Mumbai and started training in Indian classical vocal music under the tutelage of Master Navrang. Udhas's first song was in the film "Kamna" a solo composed by Usha Khanna and written by Naqsh Lyallpuri, the film was a flop but his rendition was very much appreciated. Subsequently, Udhas developed an interest in ghazals and learned Urdu to try to pursue a career as a ghazal singer. He spent ten months in Canada and the US 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 than fifty 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 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 along with Sadhana Sargam which also became very popular. He continued working as a playback singer, making some on-screen appearances in films such as Saajan, Yeh Dillagi, Naam and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee. His album Shagufta launched by Music India in December 1987 was the first to be released on compact disc in India.[3] Later, Udhas started a talent hunt television program called Aadab Aarz Hai on Sony Entertainment Television.[4] Actor John Abraham calls Udhas his mentor.[5]
Personal life
Pankaj Udhas is married to Farida. They have two daughters, Nayaab and Reva. .[6]
Awards
- 2006 – Pankaj Udhas Awarded Padmashree for his contribution to the art of ghazal singing his huge contribution to cancer patients and thallasemic children through his on the occasion of him completing 25 years of ghazal singing.
- 2006 – Awarded the prestigious "Kalakar" award at Kolkata 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)
- Nasha (1997)
- Mukarrar
- Tarrannum
- Mehfil
- Shamakhana
- Pankaj Udhas Live at Albert Hall
- Nayaab
- Legend
- Khazana
- Aafreen
- Shagufta
- Nabeel
- Aashiana
- Rubayee
- Teen Mausam
- Geetnuma
- Kaif
- Khayaal
- Aman
- Woh Ladki Yaad Aati Hai
- Stolen Moments
- Mahek (1999)
- Ghoonghat
- Muskan
- Dhadkan
- Best of Pankaj Udhas Vol-1,2
- Pankaj Udas 'Life Story' Vol-1,2
- Pankaj Udhas Vol-1,2,3,4
- Lamha
- Janeman
- Jashn (2006)
- Endless Love
- Shaayar
- Rajuat (Gujarati)
- Baisakhi (Punjabi)
- Yaad
- Kabhi Ansoo Kabhi Khushboo Kabhi Naghuma
- Humnasheen
- In Search of Meer (2003)
- Hasrat
- Bhalobasha (Bengali)
- Yaara – Music by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
- Shabad – Music by Vaibhav Saxena and Gunjan Jha
- Shaayar (2010)
- Barbad Mohabbat
- Nasheela
- Sentimental 2013
- Khamoshi Ki Aawaz 2014
Tracks
| Movies/Albums | Song | Singer | Lyricist | Year of Release |
| Ghayal (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Maahiya Teri Kasam | Pankaj Udhas & Lata Mangeshkar | 1992[7] | |
| Jai Vikraanta (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Rishta tera mera (male version) | Pankaj Udhas | 1994[8] | |
| Main Khiladi Tu Anari (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Hothon Pe Tera Naam | Pankaj Udhas | 1994[9] | |
| Mohra (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Na Kajare Ki Tasveer Teri | Pankaj Udhas | 1994[10] | |
| Mata Ki Bhetein | Palchhin | Pankaj Udhas & Sanghamitra Bharali | Mohan Sharma | 2011[7] |
| Mata Ki Bhetein | Maiyya Pukaare Re (Duet) | Pankaj Udhas & Sanghamitra Bharali | Mohan Sharma | 2011[11] |
| Mata Ki Bhetein | Aarti | Pankaj Udhas & Sanghamitra Bharali | Mohan Sharma | 2011[12] |
| Ghazal E Mohabbat, Vol. 1 | Chandi Jaisa Rang (Live) | Pankaj Udhas | 2004[13] |
References
- ↑ "Padma Shri Awardees". Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ↑ "Life Sketch". 3 September 2004. Retrieved 2 December 2007.
- ↑ Limca Book of Records 1990.(Bombay, Bisleri:1990)
- ↑ "Tribuneindia... Film and TV". Mukesh Khosala. TribuneIndia.
- ↑ "John Abraham calls Pankaj Udhas his mentor". IANS. NDTV. 27 October 2012.
- ↑ "Udhas launches his music album". Times of India. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- 1 2 "Mata Ki Bhetein by Pankaj Udhas & Sanghamitra Bharali on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ↑ "Jai Vikraanta (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Anand-Milind on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 1994-08-03. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ↑ "Main Khiladi Tu Anari (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Anu Malik on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 1994-06-05. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ↑ "Mohra (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Viju Shah on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 1994-04-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ↑ "Mata Ki Bhetein by Pankaj Udhas & Sanghamitra Bharali on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ↑ "Aarti Song By Pankaj Udhas and Sanghamitra Bharali From Mata Ki Bhetein, Download MP3 or Play Online Now". Saavn.com. 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ↑ "Ghazal E Mohabbat, Vol. 1 by Various Artists on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
http://www.hindu.com/2001/10/18/stories/13180783.htm