Famous ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passes away

• On February 26, renowned ghazal singer and Padma Shri awardee Pankaj Udhas passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness.

• Udhas started his career in 1980 with the ghazal album 'Aahat', and followed it with three other successful albums - 'Mukraar', 'Tarannum' and 'Mehfil'.

• He was born in Gujarat and trained in tabla at the Sangeet Natak Academy in Rajkot.

• In 2006, the government honored Pankaj Udhas with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.