Pankaj Udhas funeral: Singer laid to rest with gun salute; celebrity friends pay final respects

Paparazzi photos from the funeral show singer Shaan arriving at the Udhas residence to pay final respects.

“You held me close when I was just a newcomer. You are my mentor in so many ways. May you rest in peace. I will always miss you,” John wrote in a tweet. He starred in Udhas' music video for Chupke Chupke.

Filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj arrived at the Udhas residence with his wife Rekha Bharadwaj.

The final journey of the ghazal singer began with a grand tribute performance by a band. The hearse, decorated with white flowers, was carried out in the streets.

Sunil Gavaskar arrived at Pankaj Udhas' residence on Tuesday afternoon to pay his final respects.

Ahead of the funeral, the singer's body was taken out for the final journey. His body was covered in Indian flag.

Singer Adnan Sami offered his tribute in his Z account and said, "Today, I’m at a loss for words. All I can say is “Goodbye dear Pankaj Ji…Thank you for lending your music towards my childhood memories… May he rest in peace. My deepest Condolences to his family…His music will live till the end of times…"

Saira Banu took to her Instagram Stories, where she shared a throwback picture with Pankaj Udhas and Dilip Kumar.

She wrote in the caption: “I am saddened to learn the passing of Pankaj Udhas Ji. He and his wife frequently visited Dilip Sahib and me at our home. Pankaj Ji was exceptionally gentle by nature and full of old-world charm. He always spoke in a poetic language and had utmost preciosity. I fondly recall Sahib's enjoyment of his ghazals during evenings; Pankaj Ji's voice flowed like the soothing sound of a river, offering solace to all who listened. May he rest in peace, his memory cherished in our hearts forever. (red heart and folded hands emoticons)”

Shankar Mahadevan called Pankaj Udhas the most gentle soul, said a few words about him.

While talking to the press at the late singer's residence, he added: “[He was] the most gentle soul… a thorough gentleman and a fantastic musician who took Ghazal music to the masses. He was always encouraging and had a positive approach to everything. Whenever we had to take a decision as part of the musical fraternity, Pankaj Ji was always there with us.”

Actor John Abraham shared a throwback picture on his Instagram, and called Pankaj Udhas as his ‘mentor’. He featured in the music video for Pankaj Udhas’ song Chupke Chupke.

“You held me close when I was just a newcomer. You are my mentor in so many ways. May you rest in peace. I will always miss you,” wrote the actor.

Zakir Hussain arrived to pay his respects at Pankaj Udhas' residence, where he talked to the press and said, “The amount of happiness he has shared with his music, there is no answer for that. We love his family and Pankaj bhai immensely.”

Anu Malik took to his Instagram account and expressed his grief over the loss of a ‘gem of a human being’.

"Saddened. Shocked. Anguished. The world has not only lost a great singer BUT a greater human being he was humble always took compliments with a soft laughter. The music world. The ghazal world. All of us have lost a shining star. A gem of a human being. The best of the best. May Pankaj Ji’s soul rest in everlasting peace. May god give his wife his daughters his entire family immense strength to bear this. IRREPARABLE LOSS, OM SHANTI. OM SHANTI. OM SHANTI," he wrote.

Sonu Nigam took to his Instagram account to mourn the loss of the celebrated ghazal singer. He shared a picture of Pankaj Udhas and wrote in the caption, “One of the most important part of my childhood, is lost today. Shri Pankaj Udhas ji, I will miss you forever. My heart cries knowing that you are no more. Thank you for being there. Om Shanti.”

Musician Taufiq Qureshi was seen arriving at Pankaj Udhas' residence along with Zakir Hussain, to pay his last respects.

Shatrughan Sinha penned a long note on his X account where he expressed his grief over the loss of ‘dear family friend’ and offered his condolences to the family.

“Grief-stricken by the demise of our very close, dear family friend, well known, most loved, a genius artist, ghazal singer/king #PankajUdhas. He won hearts with his mesmerizing voice & as I said about the late & great #JagjitSingh Pankaj Udhas also could be called rarest of the rare human beings. His best compositions were 'Chitthi Ayee Hai' 'Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein' & 'Ashita Ahista'....His sudden demise comes as a shock. We will miss him, as he will continue to live in our hearts through his everlasting melodies. Heartfelt condolences & prayers to his entire family, friends, fans, well wishers & loved ones in these tough times. Shanti,” he wrote.

Family members, friends and relatives arrived at the ghazal singer's residence on Tuesday afternoon to pay their last respects.

The singer's body arrived at his residence in an ambulance.

A hearse for Pankaj Udhas' final journey spotted outside his home in Mumbai.

Throughout his decades-long musical career, the singer has gifted fans numerous memorable tunes that will stay alive in his memory. Here are some of his most memorable songs.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain was spotted at Pankaj Udhas' home on Tuesday afternoon.

Pankaj Udhas' daughter was spotted by the media at his house on Tuesday afternoon. She was seen emotional as she walked by the paparazzi.

Shankar Mahadevan at Pankaj Udhas' home.

"One of the most important part of my childhood, is lost today. Shri Pankaj Udhas ji, I will miss you forever. My heart cries knowing that you are no more. Thank you for being there. Om Shanti," Sonu Nigam said on his Instagram handle.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the many who mourned the singer's death. "Pankaj Udhas ji, honoured with Padma Shri and other awards, made an important contribution in popularising music. My condolences to his family and fans," the president said.

According to the prime minister, Udhas' singing conveyed a range of emotions and his ghazals spoke directly to the soul.

"He was a beacon of Indian music, whose melodies transcended generations. I recall my various interactions with him over the years. His departure leaves a void in the music world that can never be filled. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," Modi said.

The last rites of renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, who died following a prolonged illness, will be held on Tuesday. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the late singer's daughter Nayaab Udhas shared a post. Read what she wrote here.