Updated On: 26 February, 2024 08:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pankaj Udhas death: The ghazal legend was born in Jetpur in Gujarat, and neither knew Hindi nor Urdu before he moved to Mumbai

Pankaj Udhas passed away on February 26
Pankaj Udhas` career as a ghazal singer spanned over four decades. He sang countless melodies in those years, some of which are evergreen and will always remain etched in the memories of music lovers. His journey to the pinnacle of success as a ghazal singer had a humble start. Born in Jetpur in Gujarat, he neither knew Hindi nor Urdu. His family, which hails from a town named Charkhadi near Rajkot, had no musicians either.
Recalling his journey into music, Udhas had said, "I come from Gujarat, so, my mother tongue is neither Urdu nor Hindi. Gujarati was the only language spoken around me. But, two things played a role in getting me interested in music. My father was fond of it, and would come home from work and play the Esraj, because he liked it. As a child, I would look forward to that. Also, my brothers had already started singing. That is what attracted me towards it. At some point, it became a passion."