When it comes to the late ghazal great Pankaj Udhas, who passed away on Monday, composer and performer Anu Malik offers nothing but admiration.
Pankaj Udhas was the original singer of Anu Malik's first popular song, Kitaabein Bauhaut Si, which was composed for the film Baazigar (1993). The composer insists that Udhas would continue to be his first choice for the song. Following that, the song was recorded using Vinod Rathod's voice for the film that Shah Rukh Khan starred in. It was the same thing that happened to Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata as well.
"Pankaj ji was the one I had selected for Kitaabein. The question "sir aap garage?" was posed to him, and he graciously obliged, stating that he was interested in listening to the composition first. As I played it for him, he expressed his admiration for it and said, "The lyrics are written by Zafar Gorakhpuri; I don't understand why you turned a ghazal into a commercial song." This compliment came as a complete surprise to me. He hugged me and told me that I would go somewhere in the future. It was a big honour for him to pay me a compliment because, at the time, he was a famous ghazal performer. "Even after he passed away, he was a famous figure," the 63-year-old recalled.
(Also Read | Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas' death rites would be held today, said his daughter Nayaab Udhas.)
Malik adds that he was open to singing any style of song, saying, "I think he was the only ghazal singer who never threw a tantrum ki yeh gaana gaaun ki nahi, a lot say they won't sing songs if they don't fit their format." Udhas was described as having a "soft-spoken" manner, similar to that of the late Mohammed Rafi Sahab. Pankaj ji was exceptional in singing any song. Having a wonderful time in life, he built a lovely home. As is the case with everyone else, I am in agony. To pass away at the age of 72 is premature.