Chitthi ayi thi, from the UN!

He’s the desi born and bred ghazal maestro who leaves every NRI worth his jingoism teary-eyed every time he croons the Chitthi ayi hai number.
Not satisfied with arousing the nation’s emotions, Pankaj Udhas went a step further this July and enthralled a gathering of international who’s who, including the likes of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, at the UN headquarters in New York on the occasion of the Eighth World Hindi Conference.In an exclusive with Kanpur Times, the singer shares his experiences...
“The experience was awesome,” he gushes without losing much time. Of course you wouldn’t expect anything less... “Apart from the large audience, thousands of people had turned up just to see the magnificent UN office.
Honestly, it was an extremely proud moment for me when dignitaries from across the world appreciated Indian language, art and culture,” he continues. Considering he was the only Bollywood export for the occasion, it must have been a huge responsibility; did he have apprehensions?
Udhas narrates an incident to put his point across: “I boarded a cab, way back in 1988, during my visit to New York for a performance, and the American cabbie recognised me instantly and even quoted a few lines from my ghazals!
This is how music brings people together,” he says brushing aside all anxiety of how an international audience would appreciate Hindustani ghazals.
But there’s more – Udhas received a letter from Hillary Clinton appreciating his performance. In my 10- minute interaction with her, I realised that she has a deep knowledge of poetry, Hindi literature and singing.
I gave her a copy of one of my CDs and she told me that one of her officers knew Hindi well and that she’ll enjoy the ghazals alomg with her entire staff,” he shares with pride.
And of course there were the NRIs, weeping their hearts out once he began his famous Chitthi ayi hai. “When I saw people crying right there in front of me, I realised the importance of the song,” he reveals.
Having completed 25 years in the music industry, Udhas is also busy penning down his journey. “I have started working on my autobiography. It should come out early next year,” he informs. Sure to be worth a read, we’d say.