For music enthusiasts around the country, today is an unpleasant day. On Monday, renowned playback and ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passed away. He was seventy-two. The Udhas family announced on Monday that a protracted illness was the cause of his death. The singer has given his fans many timeless songs that will live on in his memory over the course of his many years in the music business. These are a few of his most well-known tracks.

Pankaj Udhas was born in Jetpur, Gujarat, on May 17, 1951. In 1980, he made his music debut with the ghazal album Aahat. That was only the start of a long string of hits to come. His best-selling albums were Mukarar (1981), Tarrannum (1982), Mehfil (1983), Nayaab (1985), and Aafreen (1986). He additionally gave a live performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984. Following his fame as a ghazal singer, he tried his hand at playback vocals with the Mahesh Bhatt movie Naam. 

Ahista

Composed by Khayyam and written by Bashar Nawaz, this soulful song is taken from the album The Legend Forever – Pankaj Udhas – Vol. 1. The song tells the story of a loving relationship, and Udhas’s calming voice gives the moving lyrics more nuance and feeling. This is one of Pankaj Udhas’ greatest songs because it was among the first ghazals we all heard when we were young.

Na Kajre Ki Dhar

This Bollywood musical of our dreams features a duet between Pankaj Udhas and Sadhana Sargam. The song, which was composed by Viju Shah, exquisitely captures the charm and beauty of the beloved’s eyes. The lyrics of Indeevar, a romantic ballad that translates to “The Line of Kohl,” and Pankaj Udhas’ voice have kept the song alive in Indian hearts for decades.

Chandi Jaisa Rang

Bollywood loves to combine its love songs with precious metals like gold and silver, speaking of a lover’s beauty and tranquilly. To capture the spirit, though, requires soulful lyrics, a well-crafted song, and—above all—a talented vocalist. One of Pankaj Udhas’ greatest songs, it describes the ethereal nature of love and a lover.

Thodi Thodi Karo Piya

Thodi Thodi is a wonderful interpretation of melancholy and longing and is an underappreciated gem in Pankaj Udhas’ repertoire. This song, which has been passed down through the centuries, is especially nostalgic because of its ageless interpretation of love and understanding. This song features the singer’s voice as rich and complex as ever.

Ek Taraf Uska Ghar

This song, which is among Pankaj Udhas’ greatest, is about longing and unrequited love. The song “On One Side is Her Home,” written by Qateel Shifai and composed by Anu Malik, expresses the longing and suffering of a lover who is parted from their beloved. Udhas’s performance of longing was unparalleled and added a totally unique touch to every song.

The multi-faceted artiste has appeared in Malayalam films, television shows, and was a strong theatre personality

Text credit: Charishma Thankappan

Kalasala Babu, who made his presence felt in a number of Malayalam films like Balettan, Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum, Perumazhakkalam, etc, passed away on Sunday night in Ernakulam at the age of 68. He was suffering from cerebral hemorrhage and had been admitted in Amritha Hospital.

Having begun his career in theatre, Babu moved onto the small screen before getting his big break in cinema. He had started his own drama troupe called ‘Kalasala’ in Thrippunithura, where he resided.

He has acted in more than 100 films in Malayalam. Spanning a career of 40 years, the actor made his debut in 1977 in the film Inayethedi and was last seen in the film Queen that released earlier this year. He made his presence felt through his powerful acting performances in the characters of villain and father figures. He was able to step into the shoes of NF Varghese and Narendra Prasad in these roles.

Born to illustrious parents – Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Mohiniattam exponent Kalyanikuttyamma, he is survived by his wife Lalitha and children Sreedevi and Viswanathan.

The actor was suffering from a prolonged stomach disease and breathed his last on Thursday morning

Text credit: Charishma Thankappan

One of the much appreciated villain characters of Malayalam cinema, actor Kollam Ajith passed away today morning in Kochi. According to reports, the actor had been battling stomach related illness.

Source: Youtube

Having made his debut in Malayalam cinema through director Padmarajan’s film Parannu Parannu Parannu in 1983, Ajith was a prominent face in the films of the ‘80s and ‘90s, such as Nadodikaattu, No. 20 Madras Mail, Aaraam Thampuran, Olympiyan Anthony Adam, Valliettan, etc. He had the chance of playing the lead role in the 1989 film Agnipravesham. The prolific actor who has acted in more than 500 films was also active in other South Indian film industries such as in Tamil and Telegu, and also in Hindi. He was last seen in the 2012 film Ivan Ardhanaari. He has also had a stint with writing and directing, with the 2016 film Calling Bell.

Source: Youtube

Kollam Ajith is survived by wife Prameela and children Gayathri and Sreehari.