Death Anniversary of Mohammed Zahur Khayyam: Padma Bhushan Mohammed Zahur Khayyam was the great mogul of music

In that glorious era of Hindi film music from 1935 to 1975, classified by connoisseurs as the period of 'Melody Queen Thi', some composers emerged who truly lived up to the regal splendor of their captivating compositions. Brought a touch. We can justifiably christen him as the 'Mogul Musician'. One such regal mogul is musician Padmabhushan Mohammed Zahoor Khayyam Hashmi, better known as Khayyam by his fans. He is the only living torch bearer of that memorable era - the last link in that dynasty of 'musical Moghuls'.

The grandfather who celebrated his 90th birthday on February 18 this year and at that moment was also busy lending his magical touch to render new compositions for the couple of films that (currently under production) feature his unique music. The score is being embellished. 74 films, 15 television serials and 459 films as well as 208 non-film songs (total 667 songs) are proof enough of Khayyam's poetic, purposeful, melodious and meaningful music, which has stood the test of time. Each of his masterpieces is steeped in total creativity of the highest order. Quality with consistency is the testimony of Khayyam's peerless creation.

'Footpath'(1953), 'Laal Rukh'(1958), 'Phir Subah Hogai'(1958), 'Shola Aur Shabnam'(1961), 'Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hai'(1965), 'Shagun'(1964), 'Aakhri Khat' (1966), 'Kabhi Kabhi' (1976), 'Shankar Hussain' (1977), 'Umrao Jaan' (1981), 'Razia Sultan' (1983) and 'Noori' (1979) are those films. , which rank as his 'Twelve Best Scores'. There are also 62 other film scores, which are no less admirable.

His other notable films include 'Trishul' (1978), 'Chambal Ki Kasam' (1979), 'Khandaan' (1979), 'Thodi Si Bewafai (1980), 'Aahista Aahista' (1981), 'Dard' (1981). ), 'Dil-e-Nadaan' (1981), 'Bazaar' (1982) and 'Dil Aakhir Dil Hai' (1982).

Born as Khayyam on February 18, 1927 to parents Janab Al-Haj Miyan Muhammad Abdullah Hashmi and Mohtarma Hurmat Jahan Hashmi at Rahon (District Jullundur), Punjab, they were seven siblings. His innate love of music did not allow him to receive formal education above the basic level, and Khayyam acquired musical knowledge at an early age. He also initially had a brief stint with the Indian Army, which probably accounts for the absolute discipline followed by Khayyam in his personal and musical life. He never compromised on his musical commitments even at the cost of lucrative film assignments from great production houses. Khayyam had the privilege of learning Hindustani classical music from the duo of renowned composer Pt. Amarnath and the famous nephew of Husnlal Bhagatram. Khayyam appointed music director G.A. Also helped Chishti (in Lahore). Even today many people know him as Chishti Baba.

Very few would know that Khayyam was established as an actor-singer (like the great KL Saigal) but made her debut in the film world as a playback singer. While learning musical skills from Husnlal Bhagatram, he was given a break as a crooner by Pt. Hasanlal, in which he sang a duet song “Dona Jahan Mohabbat Me Haar Ke” with Zohrabi Amblewali from the film “Romeo Juliet (1947)”. . Khayyam broadened his classical music base with Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan and Ustad Fayyaz Ahmed Khan of 'Kirana Gharana'.

Music was the life and soul of Khayyam. His personal preferences have been as musical as his musical choices. No wonder it was love at first sight when he saw playback singer Jagjit Kaur at the Dadar TT railway station overbridge. Jagjit Kaur (Khamosh Zindagi Ko Ek Afsana Mil Gaya) became Mrs Khayyam and the driving force behind his musical adventures. They had a son, Pradeep, who has been an actor and TV producer.

Little known and discussed about Khayyam's musical journey includes 186 non-film songs (parallel career) of all types - Ghazals, Nazms, Bhajans, Geet and Naats. Khayyam is the only Hindi film composer to have recorded many popular ghazals in the voice of the famous Begum Akhtar. Twelve non-filmy gems of Khayyam have been selected after their huge performances: Singer

Only one composer of Khayyam's genius, the famous Ghalib Ghazal 'Ye Na Tha Hamari Kismat' is sung in two different tunes by Begum Akhtar and Mohd.Rafi respectively. It is impossible for music lovers to decide which of the two compositions is the best. The composition was no mean feat for the great Begum Akhtar, but Khayyam came out with flying colours. Notably, Khayyam has also been credited with an album sung by tragedy queen Meena Kumari, a collection of her own nazms, including 'Chand Tanha Hai Asmaan Tanha'. She has also recorded film songs in the voices of other leading ladies. He was accompanied by other leading ladies viz. Mala Sinha, Rekha, Has also recorded film songs in the voices of leading men Amitabh Bachchan along with Shabana Azmi and Jaya Prada. Khayyam made his debut as an independent film music director in the Punjabi film Heer Ranjha (1948), produced by Nazim Panipati and directed by Wali Sahab. Dated 73 more films in the next 67 years. Though it is a highly impossible task but truly you have tried to list down sixteen (I could not narrow it down to twelve) best film songs of Khayyam:

Khayyam has always had a God-given gift of composing 'Shayran-Kalam' for musical performance. His understanding of poetry helps in enhancing the melody to enhance the literary content. He has cherished 'Ustad' i.e. Mir, Ghalib, Zouk, Momin, Jigar, Josh etc. His shayari collaboration with film music greats Sahirludhiani, Jaan Nisar Akhtar, Kaifi Azmi and Naqsh Lyallpuri has been truly outstanding, yielding spectacular results. Of late he has been frequently using Maya Govind and Ahmed Vasi's songs. Yet his tuning with late Sahir Ludhianvi will be remembered forever and their joint works are Khayyam's best.

Voices of 'Best-in-Business' Artists Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Mehmood, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt, Meena Kapoor, Sandhya Mukherjee, Jagjit Kaur, GMDurrani, Uma Devi, Zohrabai Ambalewal, Premlata, Chandbala, Suman Kalyanpur, Ashima, Mubarak Begum, Bhupendra, Sulakshana Pandit, Aziz, Babban, Yesudas, Nitin Mukesh, Bhupendra, Anwar, Shahida, Runa, Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Suresh Wadkar, Kaban Mirza, Parveen Sultana, Ustad Faiyaz/ Dilshad/Niaz Ahmed, Talat Aziz, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shabbir Kumar, Anup Jalota, Anupama Deshpande, Pankaj Udhas, Hariharan, Sunidhi Chauhan and Udit Narayan etc. Khayyam's creations adorned his six-decade-long career.

Khayyam's first huge hit was the Mohammed Rafi number 'Akele Mein Woh Gharbate To Hoge' from the film 'Biwi' (1950). Mohammed Rafi enjoyed a special rapport with Khayyam, who presented his peerless voice in an entirely new low-key style in memorable ghazals, bhajans and song scores. Probably the greatest rendition of mujra songs for Asha Bhosle was in her best score of "Umrao Jaan" under the baton of Khayyam. Asha sings for the first time at a lower than usual level with remarkable effect and it is indeed a great tribute to Khayyam's composing genius.

Khayyam's first non-film song was 'Aa Gin Phir Se Baharen' in the voice of Talat Mohammed and together they created magic in many memorable songs, but their best was the 1953 'Footpath' classic 'Sham-e-Gham Ki Kasam Az'. Ghamgheen hai hum' hai The song was on the legendary Dilip Kumar (who according to me is the greatest actor on either side of the Suez Canal) and its timeless quality has been immortalised. Dilip Sahab himself told me about his special fondness for this number, which he hums even today. Strangely the song was initially recorded for the film Wali Sahab and was rejected. Many other producers found it too slow until 'Footpath' director Zia Sarhadi hit it off.

Lata Mangeshkar and Khayyam's tuning took a few years to evolve, but she too has been at her peak recording in Khayyam's case, in this case the 'pahari' composition 'Baharon Mera Jeevan' for Chetan Anand's classic 'Aakhri Khat'. In the context of 'Bhi Sanvaro', will remain in memory. Lata's brilliant performances in 'Shankar Hussain', 'Baazaar', 'Dard', 'Kabhi Kabhi' and of course 'Razia Sultan' for Khayyam also have a timeless quality.

Similarly, Mukesh (Phir Subha Hogi, Kabhi Kabhi, Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hai), Kishore Kumar (Thodi Si Bewafai, Dil-e-Nadan, Mehndi), Suman Kalyankar (Shagun), Yesudas (Trishul, Majnoon), Bhupendra (Ahista Ahista ), Jaspinder Narula (Bikhri Aas Nikhri Preet), Alka Yagnik (Ek Hi Manzil), Kavita Krishnamurthy (Mohabboto Ka Safar), Sulakshana Pandit (Sankalp, Khandan) put their best foot forward to record Khayyam's compositions.

Khayyam won the most prestigious Filmfare Awards for his scores in Kabhi Kabhie (1976) and Umrao Jaan (1981). It is not commonly known that the super duper hit song 'Kab Kabhi Meri Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai' was sung for the first time in the voices of Geeta Dutta and Sudha Malhotra, from Chetan Anand's 'Kaafir', Dev Anand/Geeta Bali/Priya Rajvansh starrer. was sung for. The emeritus musician was also honored with the 'Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Some of Khayyam's most brilliant compositions were composed for his girlfriend Jagjit Kaur and he sang for her like a champ. 'Phir Wohi Sawan Aaye' and 'Laadi Re Laadi Tujhse Aankh Jo Laadi' (Shola Aur Shabnam), 'Tum Apna Ranj-O-Gum' (Shagun) and 'Dekh Lo Aaj Humko Ji Bharke' (Bazaar) are some examples, Jagjit has given his best in rendering non-film ghazals like 'Shikwe Ke Naam Se', 'Aaj Kya Hai Yarab', 'Kisi Ne Phir Suna Dard Ke Fasane Ko', 'Dil Ko Kya Ho Gaya Khuda Jaane' etc.

Khayyam has also starred in 'Milan' (Lekh Tandon), 'Dard' (Neena Gupta), 'Arzoo Ka Safar' (Ambrish Sangal), 'Kranti' (Sanjay Khan), 'Sunehra Warak' (Kishan Sethi/Rahim), 'Tere Liye' ' (Ashwini Lamba), 'The Great Maratha' (Sanjay Khan), 'Shayra' (S.Sukhdev/Gulzar), and 'Bakhri Aas Nikhri Preet' (Lekh Tandon) among many TV serials. Last Name Serial was written and produced by us.

My first meeting with Khayyam Sahab and Jagjit ji was on a flight to Lucknow - this meeting brought the two families very close. When we did a teleserial “Bakhri Aas Nikhari Preet” based on the classic Hindi novel “Vivahdaan” by our late mother Smt. Shanti Kumari Bajpai was aired ( Doordarshan every Sunday at 9 PM). Khayyam was the first to combine the music by veteran director Mr. Lekh Tandon and Khayyam himself. We approached him, he listened to the subject in detail, discussed it with Lekh ji and said 'yes'. He then composed seven brand new songs for the sensitive and difficult subject matter of the upcoming teleserial with the dream score which converted me into his fan as an ignorant fan.

My better half Kanika Bajpai (who is a theatre/TV artist and received her musical training under Late Shri SN Tripathi) got the opportunity to sing under Khayyam's song. His music really embellished our teleserial and knowing and working with him has been the most rewarding experience. Khayyam has won Filmfare Award, National Award (Umrao Jaan-1981), BFJA/UPFJA/Cinegoers' Association /IMPPA/Dada Saheb Phalke Academy (Ashoka Awards), Lata Mangeshkar Award, Asha Bhosle Award, Swami Haridas Award, Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, Sangeet Natak Has won numerous awards and accolades including an Academy Award. It would be prudent for the Government of India to consider him for the Padma Vibhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Awards.

Khayyam dedicated his biographical book (Khayyam: The Man-His Music) to the great world leader, father of Indian democracy and visionary first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. The first copy of the book by Dr. Manmohan Singh (the then Prime Minister of India) who believes in the Nehruvian Dream by Mr. and Mrs. Khayyam.

Khayyam, the young music mogul of 90 years is still at the peak of his composing enthusiasm, with a musical treasure trove, a large part of which is as yet unpublished. His best is yet to come and may the almighty grant him a long life of musical achievements, “Jeet hi lenge baazi hum tum khel adhura chhote na”.