Bickram Ghosh: ‘Pankaj ji was a pioneer in the field of ghazals’

Bickram Ghosh remembers ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas who passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness

It is a tragedy that Pankaj ji went so soon. I always thought he was fit, and he looked good. I was moved by many of his songs, especially those of the ’80s, when we were young. His tracks like Chitthi aayi hai were a rage. He brought several ghazals into the framework of film music as well, and not many could do that.

I have been an avid listener of his music for many years. We always remember him as someone who sang with poise and created a huge fan following. 

Pankaj ji was a pioneer in the field of ghazals. He did so much for the industry in the recent past by organising the annual Khazana [festival] which truly helped resurrect the genre. Today, many youngsters sing the genre very well. And Pankaj ji was at the helm, spearheading this movement. He had so much more to offer. My wife [Jaya] and I still listen to Chitthi aayi hai and Ghungroo toot gaye. Pankaj ji always had a finger on the pulse of the listener. This is true from the time he made his debut as a singer. He sang songs that were not only beautiful but also those that everyone enjoyed and could hum.

Belonging to a classical family, I, of course, heard ghazals. But, I remember, when I was in school, even those [friends] who did not hear ghazals, certainly consumed his work. So, he definitely understood what the audience wanted. Every now and then, people would say, classical music is a dying genre. But, ghazals made their presence felt at the turn of the century, and continue to be practiced. If you see the kind of crowd that Indian classical music draws, you can call it a resurrection. People are thronging ghazal concerts, and this genre is performing well on streaming apps too. I extend my condolences to the family.

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