Indian singer Pankaj Udhas has died at the age of 73 after prolonged illness.

Initially a ghazal singer, he went on to be playback singer for films, including 1986’s “Naam”, providing vocals for the song “Chitthi aayi hai”.

Udhas also sang alongside Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Alka Yagnik and Anuradha Paudwal, among others, during his career.

In 2006, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award.

The award was given on the 25-year anniversary of his ghazal singing career, for his contribution to the art of ghazal singing and his contribution to cancer patients and thallasemic children.