Mohammed Zahur "Khayyam" Hashmi, or simply Khayyam as he was always known, has passed away – presumably into the great musical yonder that awaits someone like him --- who gave us some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable melodies. Padma Bhushan Khayyam passed away on 19 August 2019 at 92 years of age; leaving behind a rich musical legacy from a career that spanned over four decades. Some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic songs were composed by him; here is a list of personal favourites:
If this song, so full of sadness but touching hope at the same time – has never made your eyes well up, you are probably made of stone! I am not a fan of Mukesh, but this song… ah this song!
Enjoy this lovely song – Khayyam's composition and a quintessential Lata song – picturised on an astonishingly young Rajesh Khanna.
This film’s music is quite timeless and is perhaps Khayyam's best known work. Though the title track is iconic, I personally like ‘tere chehre se’ more because of the way its playful composition fits the effervescent young pair on the screen so well.
This movie is known for its dramatic story and for the cinematic coup of getting Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan on screen together. It is also known for its music: the cheerful Mohabbat Bade Kam Ki with its subtext (and with Bachchan incongruously voiced by Yesudas), the nonsensical Gapoochi Gapoochi Gam Gam, the playful Janeman Tum Kamal Karte Ho and other songs.
Hazaar Rahen Mud Ke Dekhin is a masterpiece: just such a ravishing melody by the master – doing full justice to Gulzar’s wistful lyrics. This haunting composition has to rank as one of the most beautiful Lata-Kishore duets ever!
Na Jaane Kya Hua, Jo Tune Choo Liya is that lovely song replete with a big orchestra, soaring violins and Lata’s peerless voice. The movie also had other memorable melodies such as Pyaar Ka Dard Hai, Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara by the maestro.
Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Smita Patil and Supriya Pathak, this was something of an arthouse film but the songs were standout commercial hits: among others, Dikhayee Diye Yun, Karoge Yaad To Har Baat and this absolutely ravishing melody Phir Chiddi Raat sung by Lata Mangeshkar and ghazal singer of the time, Talat Aziz.
This is such a beautifully orchestrated song – right from the first notes of the soul-stirring santoor to the expectant silence in the middle of the song – a beautifully evocative melody. It’s enough to make one overlook Hema Malini’s laughable pink synthetic outfit which the filmmaker probably imagined was historically accurate for 13th century Delhi where the film was set.
This according to me was the crowning glory of a distinguished musical career – each song is exquisite. Khayyam also won the National Film Award and the Filmfare award for his compositions for this film. With songs such as Dil Cheez Kya Hai, In Ankhon Ki Masti Ke, Yeh Kya Jagah Hai Doston being standalone masterpieces, it is difficult to choose just one song. So, I chose two of the songs of Umrao Jaan – the beautifully romantic Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazm Mein by Talat Aziz and Justjuzu Jiski Thi by Asha Bhosle.
This gorgeous song is unforgettable because of its composition and the story it tells of a doomed, tragic love… also because of Rekha’s quiet, dignified despair and the way Farooq Shaikh speaks mutely, with just his eyes. This wholly personal list of the best Khayyam songs would be incomplete without this song.
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