Renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passes away at 72

Acclaimed playback singer and ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas (72) passed away here after a prolonged illness, a close associate said on Monday.

Udhas was suffering from cancer, and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for some time now.

"With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on 26 February due to a prolonged illness," read a statement from the Udhas family. 

Udhas, who made a mark as a playback singer in Hindi films, including "Naam", "Saajan" and "Mohra", died around 11 am at the Breach Candy hospital, news agency PTI said quoting a family source.

'Chandani Raat Mein', 'Na Kajre Ki Dhaar', 'Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein', 'Ek Taraf Uska Ghar' and 'Thodi Thodi Piya Karo' are among his evergreen ghazals. 

His song 'Chitthi Aayee Hai', which became a huge hit, was selected as one of the 100 songs of the millennium by BBC Radio.

The Gujarat-born singer was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006, and is known for rendering many hit songs in Bollywood in Hindi and other languages.