Khayyam has left behind a legacy of timeless compositions that continue to mesmerise music aficionados around the world. His work is characterised by its lyrical depth, melodic richness, and classical finesse and consists of songs like “Akele Mein Woh Ghabrate To Honge,” “Sham E Gham Ki Qasam,” “Jane kya Dhoondhti Rahti Hain,” “Wo Subah Kabhi To Ayegi,” “Tum Apna Ranj-o-Gham,” “Kabhi Kabhi,” “Dil Cheez Kya Hai,” “Aye Dile Nadan,” “Dikhayi Diye Yun,” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Mohammed Zahur Hashmi “Khayyam,” born on February 18, 1927, in Rahon, Punjab. He came from a traditional family that was deeply into literature and poetry. His family was his first exposure to all kinds of great literature.
Khayyam nurtured his passion for arts espacially acting and music from a young age. He was a great fan of K.L. Saigal and wanted to be like him. His interest in cinema was not appreciated by his family. As the result, he ran away from his home and reached his uncle’s house in New Delhi. His uncle was friends with classical vocalist and composers Pandit Husnlal – Bhagat Ram, and Pandit Amarnath. He arranged his training under their tutelage. Khayyam honed his skills and developed a foundation that would serve him for years to come.
His quest for musical knowledge took him to Lahore. Where he met Ghulam Ahmed Chisti (Baba Chishti), a renowned Punjabi music director. This encounter was pivotal, as it led to Khayyam assisting Chishti. He later embarked on a solo career after a brief stint in the army during the Second World War. He served in the army for three years and rejoined the Chisti Baba again.
Khayyam In Films
On B. R. Chopra’s recommendation, he began receiving a monthly salary of Rs. 125, realising that music could bring both respect and income. In January 1947, he visited Bombay. During the visit, he reconnected with his gurus, Pandit Husnlal and Pandit Bhagat Ram, who were renowned music directors. Khayyam’s work in the film industry began with the movie “Heer Ranjha” in 1948. For the film he teams up with Rehman Verma, under the name of Sharmaji-Varmaji.
However, it was his solo ventures that brought him acclaim. One of his earliest hits was the song “Akele Mein Woh Ghabrate To Honge,” sung by Mohammed Rafi for the film “Biwi” in 1950. The film also has famous song “Mere Man Ke Aangan Chaand Chamka.” In his early period, he also gave music to Parda (1949) and Pyar Ki Baten (1950). From the 1953 film “Footpath,” he started to use his name “Khayyam.” Footpath has one of the most beautiful ghazals of Hindi cinema, “Sham-E-Gham Ki Qasam,” rendered superbly by Talat Mahmood.
Despite giving hit music in a Dilip Kumar film, Khayyam did not get many offers and gave the music to only a handful of films like Gul Sanobar (1953), Dhobi Doctor (1954), Gul Bahar (1954), Tatar Ka Chor (1955), and Lala Rukh (1958).
Lala Rukh was produced by eminent Urdu writer Ismat Chughtai. It was Chughtai who gave the chance to Kaifi Azmi and Khayyam to prove themselves. The film had songs like “Hai Kali Kali Ki Lab Par Tere Husn Ka Fasana” and “Pyas Kuchh Aur Bhi Bhadka Di.”
Khayyam The Wizard Of Minimalism
His work on Lala Rukh led to his collaboration with Sahir Ludhianvi for the film “Phir Subha Hogi” in 1958. The first met while working on Lala Rukh and went on to work on many iconic films. The success of songs like “Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi,” “Cheen-O-Arab Hamara Hindustan Hamara,” and “Aasman Pe Hai Khuda Aur Zamin Pe Hum” established Khayyam as a force.
In 1963 he composed one of the finest Rafi song “Jaane Kya Dhoondhti Rahti Hain” in Shola Aur Shabnam. The film also has playful “Ladi Re Ladi Tujhse Aankh Jo Ladi,” sung by Jagjit Kaur. One of his most notable films in 60s was Shagoon starring Waheeda Rehman and Kamaljeet. The film has sopngs like “Bujha Diye Hain Khud Apne Hathon,” “Itne Qareeb Aake Bhi Kya Jane Kis Liye,” “Parbaton Ke Pedon Par Shaam Ka Basera,” “Tum Apna Ranj-O-Gham Apni Pareshani Mukhe De Do,” and “Tum Chali Jaogi Parchhaiyan Rah Jayengi.”
Some of his legendary songs in this period include “Aise Na Munh Chhupao Mar Jayenge Yahin Hum.” “Chala Chal Chala Chal Gar Hai Andhera” (Barood), “Nainon Mein Kajra Lagaye Ke,” “Zindagi Haseen Hai Zindagi Se Pyar Kar” (Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke), “Thahariye Hosh Mein Aa Loon To Chale Jaaiyega (Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain),” “Aur Kuch Der Thehar,” “Baharo Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro” (Aakhri Khat), “Tu Hi Saagar Tu Hi Kinara (Sankalp),” “Kahin Ek Masoom Nazuk Si Ladki (Shankar Husain),” among others.
The Most Iconic Works
One of Khayyam’s most celebrated works are the soundtracks for the film “Kabhi Kabhie” (1976). The title track, “Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein,” sung by Mukesh, has become an anthem for lovers. The song written by Sahir, and is known for its poetic elegance and emotional depth. The film’s music won Khayyam a Filmfare Award for Best Musician. Itr is one of the finest examples of the integration of poetry and music in Hindi cinema. Some other songs from the film are “Main Har Ek Pal Ka Shayar Hoon,” “Mere Ghar Aayi Ek Nanhi Pari,” and “Surkh Jode Ki Yeh Jagmagahat.”
After Kabhi Kabhi, he collaborated with Yash Chopra in films like “Trishul (1978),” “Noorie (1979),” “Nakhuda (1981),” and “Sawaal (1982).” Some of his notable songs from Yash Chopra’s film include “Aap Ki Mahki Hui Zulf Ko Kahte Hain Ghata,” “Mohabbat Bade Kaam Ki Cheez Hai” (Trishul), “Ye Mulaqat Ek Bahana Hai,” “Aa Ja Re O Mere Dilbar Aaja” (Noorie),” “Tujhe Maroongi Phoolon Ki Maar Sajna,” “Tumhari Palko Ki Chilmano Me Ye Kya Chhupa Hai” (Nakhuda), “Ab Jaan Rahe Ya Jaye,” “Idhar Aa Sitamgar,” and “Zindagi Haseen Hai” (Sawaal).
Another masterpiece by Khayyam is the music for “Umrao Jaan” (1981), a film that tells the story of a courtesan in 19th-century Lucknow. The song “In Aankhon Ki Mati,” sung by Asha Bhosle, is particularly notable for its haunting melody and has earned Khayyam both the Filmfare Award and the National Film Award for Best Music Director. The entire album is a tribute to the ghazal genre and has some of the finest ghazals of Indian cinema.
Continuing Success
Khayyam also composed music for Kamal Amrohi‘s “Razia Sultan” (1983) starring Dharmendra and Hema Malini. The historical drama had a powerful score that includes tracks like “Aye Dil-e-Nadaan.” It showcases his ability to blend traditional Indian classical music with epic cinema. The song, rendered by Lata Mangeshkar, is an evocative piece that captures the essence of the film’s narrative.
Khayyam’s work in “Khandan (1979),” “Chambal Ki Kasam (1980),” “Thodi Si Bewafai (1980),” “Ahista Ahista (1981),” “Dard (1981),” “Bazaar (1982),” “Dil-e-Nadaan (1982),” “Anjuman (1986),” “Parbat Ke Us Paar (1988),” “Jaan-E-Wafa (1990),” further exemplifies his versatility as a composer. The songs from these films are celebrated for their lyrical beauty and have become classics in their own right. After 1990s he worked only for few films like “Ek Hi Manzil (2000),” “Yatra (2007),” and “Bazaar E Husn (2014).”
Some of his notable songs in these films include “Ye Mulaqat Ek Bahana Hai (Khandan),” “Aankhon Mein Humne Aapke Sapne Sajaye Hain,” “Hazar Raahen Mud Ke Dekhin” (Thodisi Bewafaii), “Kabhi Kisi Ko Muqammal Jahan Nahin Milta,” “Kai Saal Pehle” (Ahista Ahista), “Ahl-E-Dil Yun Bhi Nibha lete hain” “Na Jaane Kya Hua Jo Tune Choo Liya.” (Dard),” “Dekh Lo Aaj Humko Jee Bhar Ke,” “Dikhai Diye Yun Ke Bekhud Kiya,” “Karoge Yaad To Har Baat Yaad Aayegi,” “Phir Chhidi Raat Baat Phoolon Ki” (Bazaar), “Kab Yaad Mein Tera Saath Nahin,” “Tujhse Hoti Bhi To Kya Hoti Shikayat Mujhko” (Anjuman), “Parbat Ke Us Paar (Parbat Ke Us Paar),” and many more.
Other Work
One of Khyaam’s most legendary works came in the form of the album “I Write, I Recite,” with Meena Kumari, where he composed the ghazals written by her and recorded in her own voice. Khayyam also recorded albums like “Muddat Huyi Hai,” “Zikar Us Pariwash Ka,” and “Naa Huyi Gar Mere Marne Se Tasalli” on the works of Ghalib, “Shaam-E-Ghazal” with Talat Mahmood, “Asha Aur Khayyam” with Asha Bhosle, “Shauq Har Rang” with Rafi,” “Mere Geeton Ka Singaar,” and many more.
He also recorded albums consisting of works of Dagh Dehlvi, Jan Nisar Akhtar, Ahmed Wasi, and Madhukar Rajasthani.
Personal Life
Beyond his professional achievements, Khayyam’s personal life was anchored by his relationship with Jagjit Kaur. Khayyam married her in 1954. The couple had a son Pradeep, who passed away on 2012. Together, they shared a life steeped in music and companionship until his passing on August 19, 2019. Jagjit kaur passed away on 15 August 2021, two years after the death of Khayyam.
For his contributions to the Indian music industry Khayyam gets several prestigious awards and accolades. He gets the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in 2011. India’s National Academy of Music, Dance, and Theatre honoured him with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Creative Music. He also get Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2010), Mirchi Music Lifetime Achievement Award (2012) and Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award (2018).
Khayyam on IMDB
