Pankaj Udhas -The Choice of the masses!
Pankaj Udhas is the ghazal singer with the golden voice and the darling of the masses whatever critics would say. He has carved his niche in the ghazal scenario with hard work and his God given gift, his golden sweet voice which can be compared to honey. Hard critics always compare him with other present day greats like Ghulam Ali, Hariharan, and Jagjit Singh and say that he lacks innovative singing in his live programs as he does not sing many harkaths. True that his voice would not yield to such gimmicks on the stage, but I believe the voice is the primary instrument of any singer. If the voice is extremely powerful sweet and melodious and is in sur it covers up many deficiencies of a singer. It becomes his/her most lethal instrument! Anyway the common man is not bothered of any difficult harkaths. The common man is attracted by straight melodious singing which directly touches the heart. 
He deserves the credit for making ghazals popular at a time when it was losing its foothold over the masses. And today amidst the cacophony of fast and pop music he has proved that ghazals still charm music lovers the world over and that music is not what is made out of machines but that which is made out of an artist's soul. Pankaj was born on May 17, 1951 in Jetpur near Rajkot in Gujarat to a family of Zamindars. With his elder brother, Manhar Udhas already into stage performances, young Pankaj needed no initiation into the world of music. Even before he was five, Pankaj became conscious of his singing skills. But it was only after his first stage performance during the Indo-Chinese war that the music bug bit hard. He sang Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon and won for himself a prize of Rs. 51 that a gentleman in the crowd generously sponsored seeing his talent. The young boy was so moved by the episode that he made a firm decision to take up music professionally. But it wasn't all that easy for Pankaj as it may sound. With a strong determination to pursue a successful music career, four years hence he joined the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot and learnt the nuances of playing the tabla. But studies was on top of his agenda that time and so he shifted to Mumbai to pursue a Degree in Science from St. Xavier's College where he enthralled audience at each and every inter-collegiate and other open singing competitions, thanks to his immense singing prowess. And then started a journey for an identity in the film world. So insulated the industry was with Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh and Manna Dey that Pankaj found it difficult to breakthrough. But he was fortunate to get his first break in a film called Kamna way back in 1972, which to his bad luck never saw the light of the day. Disappointed not to get the right kind of break in films, he waited but in vain. And then life took a right turn for the youngster. Once Pankaj heard his brother Manhar's Urdu teacher listen to Mehndi Hasan and Begum Akhtar. So much was he attracted towards this form of music that he went on to learn Urdu to be able to grasp the depth of ghazals. Pankaj Udhas found his destiny. Despite learning Urdu and getting into ghazals for almost four years he was struggling. Really frustrated and discouraged from all sides one day he packed his bags and decided to migrate to Canada. A few days over there made him realize how much Indian music is in demand in that part of the world. He did a few ghazal shows in local gatherings in Canada and the US and was amazed by the response. Regaining all the lost enthusiasm he decided to return home with much stronger will to make a mark in ghazals itself. From his first ghazal album Aahat released in 1980, Pankaj has released around 40 albums with countless number of compilations. In all his albums he has always tried to present ghazals in a manner more appealing to the masses yet maintaining the essence of ghazals. Since singing ghazals by itself is a very limited area with very little scope for innovativeness, Pankaj has tried to use the little scope to the best as he could. In the process he has given the world of music some amazing ghazals, which will remain in the hearts of music lovers for time immemorial. With ghazals happening along smoothly, Pankaj Udhas also made his foray into films gaining a lot of popularity with the ever popular Chitthi Aayee Hai from the film Naam bringing tears to every music lover's eyes. And his appearance on screen also made Pankaj a star in his own right. After the smashing number he was flooded with offers to do screen appearances. But he played it safe sticking to playback with occasional screen appearances like those in Saajan, Yeh Dillagi and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee.
He deserves the credit for making ghazals popular at a time when it was losing its foothold over the masses. And today amidst the cacophony of fast and pop music he has proved that ghazals still charm music lovers the world over and that music is not what is made out of machines but that which is made out of an artist's soul. Pankaj was born on May 17, 1951 in Jetpur near Rajkot in Gujarat to a family of Zamindars. With his elder brother, Manhar Udhas already into stage performances, young Pankaj needed no initiation into the world of music. Even before he was five, Pankaj became conscious of his singing skills. But it was only after his first stage performance during the Indo-Chinese war that the music bug bit hard. He sang Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon and won for himself a prize of Rs. 51 that a gentleman in the crowd generously sponsored seeing his talent. The young boy was so moved by the episode that he made a firm decision to take up music professionally. But it wasn't all that easy for Pankaj as it may sound. With a strong determination to pursue a successful music career, four years hence he joined the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot and learnt the nuances of playing the tabla. But studies was on top of his agenda that time and so he shifted to Mumbai to pursue a Degree in Science from St. Xavier's College where he enthralled audience at each and every inter-collegiate and other open singing competitions, thanks to his immense singing prowess. And then started a journey for an identity in the film world. So insulated the industry was with Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh and Manna Dey that Pankaj found it difficult to breakthrough. But he was fortunate to get his first break in a film called Kamna way back in 1972, which to his bad luck never saw the light of the day. Disappointed not to get the right kind of break in films, he waited but in vain. And then life took a right turn for the youngster. Once Pankaj heard his brother Manhar's Urdu teacher listen to Mehndi Hasan and Begum Akhtar. So much was he attracted towards this form of music that he went on to learn Urdu to be able to grasp the depth of ghazals. Pankaj Udhas found his destiny. Despite learning Urdu and getting into ghazals for almost four years he was struggling. Really frustrated and discouraged from all sides one day he packed his bags and decided to migrate to Canada. A few days over there made him realize how much Indian music is in demand in that part of the world. He did a few ghazal shows in local gatherings in Canada and the US and was amazed by the response. Regaining all the lost enthusiasm he decided to return home with much stronger will to make a mark in ghazals itself. From his first ghazal album Aahat released in 1980, Pankaj has released around 40 albums with countless number of compilations. In all his albums he has always tried to present ghazals in a manner more appealing to the masses yet maintaining the essence of ghazals. Since singing ghazals by itself is a very limited area with very little scope for innovativeness, Pankaj has tried to use the little scope to the best as he could. In the process he has given the world of music some amazing ghazals, which will remain in the hearts of music lovers for time immemorial. With ghazals happening along smoothly, Pankaj Udhas also made his foray into films gaining a lot of popularity with the ever popular Chitthi Aayee Hai from the film Naam bringing tears to every music lover's eyes. And his appearance on screen also made Pankaj a star in his own right. After the smashing number he was flooded with offers to do screen appearances. But he played it safe sticking to playback with occasional screen appearances like those in Saajan, Yeh Dillagi and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee. I attempt one of the most popular and sweet ghazals he has ever sung. I hope you too like it!
Credits: www.pankajudhas.com
Ghazal: Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera
Original Singer: Pankaj Udhas
Album: Pankaj Udhas Live At Albert Hall
Lyrics: Qatil Shifai & Rashid
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Labels: Chandi Jaisa, Pankaj Udhas
posted by Pradip Somasundaran at 2:58 PM
12 Comments:
Pradeepetta this song is really a smashing one from you. It hit me like a thunderstorm! And the improvisations in the end are terrific! You have sung this even better than than the original singer himself.
sir
that was simply awesome......u know i'm a great fan of pankaji......cud u pls post his "chitti aayi he" in your voice...........i wud really be thankful to u if u do so....waiting for the song
ur ardent fan
sachin
Terrific singing of a song that I carry in my heart! Pradeepji that was just breathtaking.
Love
smitha
Wah.. very well done Pardip Bhai, loved your improvisations at the end, one request, I would like to hear this song from you its from Dor - Yeh Hosnlaa Kaise Jhukhe, I think it suits your voice very well.
Very good rendition as usual Pradipetta.
Unbelievable performance!! How do you sing so well?
Its a beautiful song! I appreciate the way you imitate and sing with so much passion.
The way you use your voice to sing these great songs really touched my heart.
Wow ..Great Performance !...I wonder how do you adapt every singer's style so well !
-Vishal
ps : Would appreciate if you can add me to your blog update list :-)
Another excellent rendition from you! :)
Just like you said , whatever the critics say , he is ‘THE DARLING’ of the common people who want to enjoy Ghazal. The songs may sound simple , but it does strike a chord and that’s more than enough right?
Thanks Pradip for this nice one and wish to hear more ghazals from you. – Sandhya :)
Pradip,
that was an awesome rendition :) Beautifully sung :)
excellent...
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