Veteran ghazal maestro and playback singer Pankaj Udhas passed away Monday in Mumbai's Candy Breach Hospital. His family in a statement shared that he died of a prolonged illness. His close friend and singer Anup Jalota has now revealed the singer was battling with pancreatic cancer. In a conversation with Indian Express, Jalota also shared that he had known of this information for the last five to six months.
In a heartbreaking revelation, Jalota said, “People have lost Pankaj Udhas, but I have lost a very dear friend today. We were friends for 45 years. We used to spend beautiful evenings together. In those days, Pankaj, me, and Talat Aziz were famous. We would work together.”
Jalota added, “The man who helped so many cancer patients, himself died of cancer. That is life. He had pancreatic cancer. I knew this for the last 5 to 6 months, and he stopped talking to me in the last 2-3 months, so I realized that his health was not okay. I feel very sad that this illness took his life.”
Anup also told IANS, “I never told anybody about his illness. I knew it would take him, but never imagined that it would be so soon. My trio with Pankaj and Talat was quite famous. We have done so many concerts together. He has had a major contribution in helping ghazals reach households.”
The devotional singer also took to social media to offer condolences to the late singer. Sharing a series of pictures with the late ghazal maestro, Jalota wrote, “Shocking.... Music legend & my Friend #PankajUdhas passes away. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his Family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
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