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New Delhi: Legendary Punjabi music composer and mentor Charanjit Ahuja passed away at the age of 72 at his Mohali home on Sunday (September 23). He was battling cancer for several years and was undergoing treatment at PGI. The composer is survived by his wife, Sangeeta Ahuja, and four sons. His son Sachin Ahuja is a prominent music director and director in the industry.
Born in 1936 in Amritsar, Charanjit Ahuja shaped the sound of Punjab’s folk and popular music, giving timeless melodies. He developed a deep interest in music at an early age and was trained in classical music. By the 1960s, he became a household name in the Punjabi music industry due to his unique ability to blend folk roots with contemporary arrangements.
He was also instrumental in shaping the careers of several Punjabi singers who went on to become legends, including Kuldeep Manak, Surinder Shinda, Jagmohan Kaur, Asa Singh Mastana, Narinder Biba, and Amar Singh Chamkila. He also guided and gave music to artists such as Sardool Sikander, Gurdas Maan, and Surinder Shinda, among others.
His legacy spans 17 films and countless albums, with timeless tracks, including ‘Kaun Tera Pardesi’, ‘Yaara Oh Dildaara’, and ‘Mil Gaya Mil Gaya’. His work in films such as Kee Banu Duniyan Da, Gabhroo Punjab Da, and Dushmani Jattan Di.
After he passed away, Bhagwant Mann paid tribute to him on X and wrote, “Charanjit Ahuja's death has caused an irreparable loss to the Punjabi music industry. His compositions will always reign in the hearts of Punjabis. My condolences to Sachin Ahuja, his family and fans.”
Meanwhile, Charanjit Ahuja’s last rites were performed in Mohali on Monday (September 22).
