IANS: Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas has collaborated with Kavita Paudwal for a Marathi Bhavgeet single, Ranga Dhanoocha Zhula.

The number marks the debut of the veteran singer in the world of Marathi songs.

The music for Ranga Dhanoocha Zhula has been composed by veteran music composer Ashok Patki and the lyrics have been penned by lyricist Mandar Cholkar.

On making his Marathi musical debut, Udhas said, "This is for the first time that I am singing in Marathi in my three-decade-old music career, despite staying in Mumbai all these years. I am extremely happy to collaborate with Kavita and Ashok Patkiji for this extremely soulful rendition. I am sure the song will touch the hearts of the Marathi music lovers globally."

Kavita, daughter of renowned singer Anuradha Paudwal, shared that it was her mother's "idea to collaborate with the legendary Pankaj Udhasji, for a Marathi Bhavgeet, as his sweet style of singing goes beautifully with the genre".

"He is so popular worldwide and his music is timeless. With all of this combined with Ashok Patki's composition we have tried to create a right combination of old school melody and contemporary look and feel," she added.

Pankaj Udhas has had a successful career spanning over three decades and was among the most leading voices that ushered the ghazal wave of the eighties. His memorable hits include Chandi jaisa rang, Aap jinke kareeb hote hain, Sabko maloom hai main sharaabi nahin and Ek taraf uska ghar. Udhas also made a mark with several chartbusting ghazal hits in Bollywood films of the eighties and the nineties, including Chitthi aayee hai (Naam), Jiye to jiye kaise (Saajan) and Na kajre ki dhaar (Mohra).