Daily Times

Indian media agencies reported that legendary music composer Khayyam’s last rites were performed with state honours. Prominent poets Javed Akhtar, Gulzar and singer Sonu Nigam, singer Talat Aziz and others attended the funeral on Tuesday August 20, 2019 at a Muslim Four Bungalow Cemetery in Mumbai. Khayyam’s mortal remains were kept at his home in Daskshina Park Society, Juhu, to enable people to pay their last respects to the legendary music composer, who passed away at the age of 92 following a brief illness on Monday. At around 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday, his funeral procession with a Mumbai Police escort team of pallbearers started for the cemetery as a large number of friends, Bollywood personalities and his admirers joined, said his spokesperson Pritam Sharma. Khayyam’s mortal remains were kept at his home in Daskshina Park Society, Juhu, to enable people to pay their last respects to the legendary music composer, who passed away at the age of 92 following a brief illness on Monday. At around 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday, his funeral procession with a Mumbai Police escort team of pallbearers started for the cemetery as a large number of friends.After the procession reached the Four Bungalow Graveyard, his body was laid to rest amid a 21-gun salute as Muslim priests performed the last rites. Khayyam’s ailing wife and well-known playback singer Jagjit Kaur also attended the last rites on a wheelchair and broke down several times as the funeral rituals were performed.Many Bollywood personalities including Raza Murad, Javed Akhtar, Gulzar, Ashok Pandit, Tabassum, Sanjay Khan, Poonam Dhillon, Vishal Bharadwaj, Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Talat Aziz, Shabbir Kumar, Nitin Mukesh, Jatin Pandit and Lalit Pandit, Uttam Singh, Alka Yagnik, and others visited his home and the burial grounds to pay their last respects.President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to Khayyam while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and other personalities also offered condolences on his demise.

What an honour for a runaway child from Lahore to become a successful musician and buried with state honour!

Knowing Khayyam in person as he was the elder brother of my lifelong friend Mushtaq Hashmi and brother of A Shakoor Bedil, I shall take you along his musical journey as I lived with his music all my life. My friends say that I was lucky to have sung eight Ghazals of Pakistani poets in his music for my audio album Tera Intezar. Khayyam’s story is a story of constant struggle for Muhammad Zahoor Hashmi known as Khayyam, hailing from Lahore and fleeing to Bombay before the creation of Pakistan to make a name for him in the art of making music compositions; in a society where Muslims are still considered a minority.

In this scenario he married Jagjit Kaur of Sikh religion, belonging to another minority in India. All his life she gave Khayyam a supportive role both at home and work.

What an honour for a runaway child from Lahore to become a successful musician and buried with state honour!

Looking back at Khayyam’s life, his early days were full of constant struggle and lack of work starting from his first film ‘Heer Ranjha’ in 1948. He worked as Sharma Ji and previously worked with Rehman Verma as Verma Ji Sharma Ji duo. His partner opted to stay in Pakistan. He sang ‘Dil Yun Yun Karta Hei’ with Geeta Roy for this Nazim Panipati produced film with lyrics by Wali Saheb. This was followed by the film ‘Parda’ in 1949 in which Asha Bhosle and Zohrabai Ambale Wali sang songs with Muhammad Rafi. The song ‘Akele Main Woh Ghabrate Tau Haun Gei’ written by Wali Saheb became hit when the film ‘Biwi’ was released in 1950. Muhammad Rafi is on record to admit that this song paved way for him for further work. Despite another Wali Saheb’s film ‘Putli’ and Nargis starrer (Director Akhtar Hussain, her brother) film “Pyar Ki Batain’ in 1951, the break for Khayyam came in Zia Sarhadi directed film ‘Foot Path’ starring Meena Kumari and Dilip Kumar. Talat Mahmud’s blue mood excelled in the song ‘Sham-e-Ghum Ki Qasam’ penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri and Ali Sardar Jafri. A cabaret song ‘Aa Raa Re Rum’ by Asha Bhosle introduced melody in a Pop song.

Movies ‘Gul-e-Sabober’ 1953, Dhobi Doctor and Gul Bahar 1954 and Tatar Ka Chor 1956 came with Khayyam’s music but success came in Ismat Chughtai’s film Lala Rukh in 1958. The song ‘Pyas Kutch Aur Bhi Bharka Di Jhalak Dikhla Kei’ penned by Kaifi Azmi, composed on just Sitar and Tabla and crooned bay Talat and Asha became talk of the town. Even Asha had mentioned that she was surprised that such a strong melody was not dependent on rich orchestral support. It was Shyama and Talat Mahmud starrer film. The same year success awaited Khayyam in Raj Kapoor starrer film ‘Phir Subha Ho Gi’ directed by Ramesh Saigal. All nine songs were liked especially ‘Woh Subha Kabhi Tau Aaei Gi’ by Mukesh and Asha. Poet Javed Akhtar stated that even if Khayyam did not compose any other melody, this song was enough to make his music immortal. Asha Bhosle stated in one of her interviews that she expected a line of film offers for her and Khayyam after this success but that never happened. Raj Kapoor stuck to his favourites Shankar Jaikishen (SK). Khayyam Saheb told me that SK had visited him not to accept any offers from raj Kapoor camp. Khayyam, gentle as he was, agreed to SK’s request.Films ‘Bambai Ki Billi – 1960 and ‘Barood’ (Lata’s song Rang Rangeela Sanwara’) did average business.

Critics believe that successful music came in the shape of songs Muhammad Rafi’s ‘Jane Kaya Dhoondati Rehti Hain Yei Ankhain Mujh Mai’ using Rafi Saheb’s broad voice range and Rafi-Lata’s duet ‘Jeet Hi Lain Gei Baazi Hum Tum’. This was Dharmendar and Tarla (a new comer)’s film in 1961; Khayyam’s fifteenth film in fourteen years. Director Nazar Ahmad’s film ‘Shagun’ led to Waheeda Rehman marrying Kamaljeet in actual life. Its songs by Sahir Ludheyanvi became hits. Muhammad Rafi’s songs ‘Yei Raat Buhut Rangeen Sahi’ and ‘Tum Chali Jao Gi’ were romantic duets. Suman Kalyanpur did wonders in sad songs ‘Zindigi Zulm Sahi’ and ‘Bujha Diye Hain’. Rafi-Suman’s duet ‘Parbaton Ki Pairon Par’ and Jagjit Kaur’s ‘Tum Apna Ranj-o-Ghum’ are everlasting hits. The latter song is Jagjit Kaur’s best song of her life. Cheten Anand’s film ‘Akhri Khat’ – 1966 based on a toddler’s venture to look for his mother was a wonderful movie with Lata’s comeback in Raag Pahari based song ‘Baharo Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro’ for which Khayyam waited for three months for Ustad Raees Khan to play Sitar. It was worth the wait.Lata has tweeted that she recalls Khayyam’ deep understanding of poetry when she recorded Mir Taqi Mir’s Ghazal ‘Dikhai Diye Yun’ for ‘Bazaar’ and Kaif Bhopali’s Geet ‘Apne Aap RaatonMain’ for ‘Shankar Hussain’. The last few movies of the struggling days were ‘Mera Bhai Mera Dushman’ – 1967, Pyase Dil -1974, Sankalp – 1974, Sandheya – 1975 and Muthi Bhar Chawel – 1976.

Khayyam’s commercial success took a positive turn when his film ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ directed by Yash Chopra was released in 1976. It was a multi-starrer film with Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhi, Neetu Singh, and Rishi Kapoor in Important roles. Songs like ‘Main Pal Do Pal Ki Sha’air Hun’ and ‘Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Main Kheyal Aata Hei’ were a challenge for Khayyam to compose poems of Sahir Ludheyanvi with long meters. He passed the test with flying colours and these songs are household names even today. Lullaby ‘Mere Ghar Aai Aik Nanhi Pari’ by Lata and happy-go-lucky song ‘Pyar Kar Liya Tau Kaya’ based on Punjabi folk tunes by Kishore Kumar became hits. Lata and Kishore rendered duets with Lata; ‘Tere Chehre Sei Nazar Nahi Hateti Nazare Hum Kaya Daikhain’ and ‘Tera Phoolon Jaisa’ filmed on Rishi and Neetu’s dances. Another song ‘Sada Chiriyan Da Chamba Aei’ by Lata, Jagjit Kaur and Pamela Chopra was liked as title song. It was again a Punjabi folk borrowed for the film. Khayyam received Filmfare Award from music composer Shankar.

1977 film ‘Shankar Hussain’ was a film whose story was away from normal routine. It is a 1977 film directed by Yusuf Naqvi. It has memorable songs; ‘Kahin Aik Masoom Nazuk Si Larki’ sung by Mohammed Rafi and ‘Aap Yun Faasilon Sei Guzarte Rahe’ and ‘Apne Aap Raaton Mein Chilmanain Sarakti Hain’, sung by Lata; classics of Khayyam’s repertoire.Dr. UdeyShankar raises an orphan Muslim child Hussain as one of his own. Years later, Husain is studying in college while Ajay returns home after completing his medical studies. Shortly after this, Dr. Uday Shankar dies and Ajay devotes himself to carrying on his father’s good name and legacy by serving the poor people of his village as a doctor. Meanwhile, Husain falls in love with a Muslim girl named Gulsum. Ajay also falls in love with a Hindu girl named Kusum. Things get complicated when they find out that Gulsum and Kusum is the same girl. In 1978 film ‘Tirshul’ by director Yash Chopra, Khayyam gave hit songs like lullaby ‘Tu Mere Saath Rahe Ga Munne’ by Lata; a song enticing revenge in a child against his father who had deserted his other when she was pregnant. Happy songs like ‘Gapu Ji Gapu Ji Gum Gum’ by Lata and Nitin Mukesh, ‘Kehte Darti Ho’ by Lata and Kishore, ‘Kabhi Qasmain Na Torain’ by Lata and Kishore, ‘Aap Ki Mehki Hui Zulf Ko Kehte Hain Ghata’ by Lata and Yesudas and troika ‘Har Taraf Husn Hei Jawani Hei’ by Kishore, Lata and Yesudas are famous songs of this Amitabh, Waheeda, Rakhi, Hema, Shashi and Poonam Dhilon starrer film. The latter heroine stated that Khayyam always treated her like his daughter.

Movie Chambal Ki Qasam (1979) had a charming duet ‘Simti Hui Yei Gharian’ by Lata and Rafi. Movie ‘Khandaan’ shall be remembered for Lata’s ‘Yei Mulaqat Ik Bahana Hei’ and Sulakhna Pandit’s ‘Mana Teri Nazar Main Tera Pyar Hum Nahi’.Lata and Asha sang a duet for 1979 film ‘Meena Kumari Ki Amar Kahani’. The last of Yash Chopra and Khayyam’s combination came in the shape of the film ‘Noori’ in the same year. It was a low budget film but did roaring business. Songs by Janisar Akhtar, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Naqsh Lyallpuri played havoc like ‘Aa Jaa Re’ by Lata and Nitin, ‘Chori Chori Koi Aei’ by Lata. Simple story with Poonam Dhilon and Farooq Sheikh clicked with outstanding melodies. It was jointly funded by Khayyam and Yash Chopra. Khayyam did not receive his share of profit, so the partnership ended.

Film ‘Thori Di Bewafai’ was well directed film by Esmayeel Shroff in 1980. Well-acted by Rajesh Khanna and Shabana Azmi, this film boasts of popular songs ‘Hazaar Raahain Mur Kei Daikheen’ and ‘Ankhon Main Hum Nei Pyar Kei Sapne Sajaei Hain’ by Lata and Kishore. Khayyam’s 33rd film was ‘Dard’ famous for the song ‘Na Jane Kaya Hua’ by Lata filmed on Hema and RajeshKhanna in 1981. Film ‘Ahista Ahista’ is famous for the song ‘Kabhi Kisi Ko Mukamal Jahan Nahi Milta’ penned by Nida Faazli and rendered by Asha and Buhpinder separately.1981 film ‘Dil-e-Nadaan’ starring Rajesh Khanna, Shatrugan Sinha, Samita Patel and Jaya Pradha directed by Sridhar had a Naqsh Lyallpuri penned song ‘ Chandni Raat Main Ik Baar Tujhe Daikha Hei’. Film ‘Nakhuda’ came in 1981.

The pinnacle of Khayyam’s career was Muzaffar Ali directed and produced film ‘Umrao Jaan’. It brought National Award for Khayyam. Rekha became a super star for the best portrayal of Umrao Jaan in this film. Asha Bhosle excelled by singing half a note lower to her basic note. This treatment worked. In her submission ‘He shaped my voice and singing’ inWishwas Nerurkar’s book ‘Khayyam – the Man – His music’ she told her story of working with Khayyam from films Footpath to Phir Subha Ho Gi to Umrao Jaan. Her prophecy for Rekha of everlasting fame like Meena Kumari in Pakeeza, was realized. Rekha too got National Award and so did Asha.

Khayyam continued with films like ‘Baawari’ in 1982 and’Bazaar’ in 1982. This film had exceptionally melodious songs such as ‘Dikhai Diye Yun Keh Bekhud Kiya’ filmed on Supriya Pathak. Makhdoom Muhauddin’s Ghazal ‘Phir Chiri Raat Baat Phoolon Ki’ by Lata and Talat Aziz’s melodyexcelled. Naseeruddin Shah and Samita Patel acted very well Sagar Sarhadi was the director of the film. Movies ‘Dil Akhir Dil Hei’ 1982, Sawaal – 1982 and Mehndi – 1983 followed before another mile stone in Khayyam’s career; film Razia Sultan in 1983. It was a costume film by Kamal Amrohi with Hema Malini’s role as Razia Sulatana in love with a Habshi (black Negro) played by Dharmender. Two songs by Lata ‘Aei Dil-e-Nadaan’ penned by Janisar Akhtar and ‘Jalta Hei Badan’ penned by Kaifi Azmi are classics. The other movies till 2006 were Lorie, Bepanah, Anjuman, Devar Bhabi, Tere Sheher Main, Aik Naya Raasta, Parbat Kei Us Paar, Jan-e-Wafa, Muhabaton Ka Safar, Aik Hi Manzil, Banaras 1918 – a love story and Yatra – the journey (with classic roles by Nana Patekar and Rekha.

I hope the melody lovers have enjoyed Khayyam’s musical journey with me. Getting state funeral for a boy who left his home in Lahore to dream of becoming a leading melody maker, a disciple of Baba Chishti, brother of Mushtaq Hashmi and A Shakoor Bedil was realised due to his sticking to his style of music and constant struggle in Hindu dominated society! He was conferred several awards including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan.

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com