Playback singer Sonu Nigam shared a tribute to ghazal vocalist Pankaj Udhas after the artist died in Mumbai [1].

The loss of Udhas marks the departure of a prominent figure in the ghazal genre, influencing generations of musicians across India.

Pankaj Udhas died at 11 a.m. [2] on Feb. 26, 2024 [2] at the age of 72 [2]. He died at Breach Candy Hospital after a prolonged illness, which the Times of India identified as pancreatic cancer [3, 4].

Nigam posted a tribute on Feb. 27, 2024, stating that he was wiping away tears as he bid his final goodbye [1, 2]. The singer attended the last rites held at Udhas's residence in Mumbai, where he was seen hugging fellow singer Shaan [1, 4].

"My heart cries," Nigam said [5]. He further described Udhas as an important part of his childhood [5]. In a separate reaction to the death, Nigam said, "Will miss you forever" [6].

Other notable figures from the entertainment industry, including Shankar Mahadevan, and Vidya Balan, also visited the residence to pay their respects [4]. The gathering of artists highlighted the deep professional and personal ties Udhas maintained within the Indian music community during his career.

“"My heart cries."”

The death of Pankaj Udhas represents a significant loss for the ghazal tradition, a poetic form of music that gained widespread popularity in South Asia. The emotional response from contemporary stars like Sonu Nigam underscores Udhas's role as a bridge between classical ghazal music and the modern playback era of Indian cinema.