Hamara ek ghungroo toot gaya: Talat Aziz remembers Pankaj Udhas

Ghazal singer Talat Aziz has been a close friend of Pankaj Udhas, who passed away on Monday (February 26, 2024) in Mumbai after prolonged illness. Talat Aziz was in Lucknow when he received the news of his friend’s sad demise.

“We were friends for more than 44 years now,” reminisced Aziz, adding, “In fact, we started our singing careers on the same day. I, Anup Jalota and Pankaj have been close friends and we used to call ourselves the ‘3 Musketeers’! I got to know about Pankaj’s illness six to eight months ago. When I first met him during his first hospitalisation, he said that it is not that serious and it could be viral. I wished him the best then.”

Because of his work commitment Aziz lost touch with Udhas for the past few months. “I lost touch with him after that as I was a bit busy. I was not able to communicate with him after that. I was not in town, but I did receive his recent picture and he looked pretty unwell. After that I called Anup and asked him about Pankaj’s health. He said he had met Pankaj, and he looked really unwell. While Pankaj said he was okay, but we knew that there was something more to it. Later, Anup got to know he had some issue related to his pancreas, and eventually it became serious.”

Aziz lamented about not being able to meet Udhas one last time and said, “I wanted to meet him, but could not do so. I could not even speak to him as he was not allowed to do so. Now, I can only say that hamara ek ghungroo toot gaya. I hope his journey onwards will be easy.”

Remembering their times together, Aziz said, “Pankaj was a good human being and very soft spoken. We have spent a lot of evenings together, having a good time like many friends do. I was at an event in Lucknow when I heard this sad news. I paid my tributes to him and I am hoping to make it on time to say my final Alvida to him.”