'Pankaj tu amar ho gaya': When Raj Kapoor hailed Pankaj Udhas for 'Chitthi aayi hai'

The late singer Pankaj Udhas' musical journey commenced in 1980 with the release of his ghazal album "Aahat," followed by successful ones like "Mukarar" in 1981 and "Tarrannum" in 1982. Transitioning into playback singing for various Hindi films, Udhas achieved global recognition through albums and live performances. In 2006, he received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in honor of his outstanding contributions.

During that time, securing employment was a challenge. Esteemed figures like Kishore Kumar and R.D. Burman had established exceptional musical standards, making it daunting for newcomers to establish themselves. However, the trajectory changed for the late singer following the tremendous success of "Chitthi Aayi Hai" from the film "Naam."


Pankaj, who holds a deep affection for the song, expressed in an old interview with ETimes, "The song is timeless. Even after over three decades, its popularity remains undiminished. I vividly recall a chance encounter with Raj Kapoor on a flight, where he praised the song, saying, ‘Pankaj tu amar ho gaya'. Remarkably, the song was recorded in a single take."

The singer passed away on February 26, 2024, after battling a prolonged illness. The death news was confirmed by Pankaj's daughter through social media. PM Modi also expressed his condolences in a heartfelt note and shared some throwback pictures with the ace singer.