We all need music and the serenity it brings along in life – be it good times or bad times or divisive times like now. So today is about Khayyam’s music. His music was just so delicate, pure and divine- or roohani.
He was born as Mohammed Zayur Khayyam Hashmi near Jalandhar in Punjab on 18 Feb 1927. In his early days, he used to work as a composer under the name Sharma ji with his friend Rehman ( Vermaji) who later migrated to Pakistan.
Being interested in films and music from a young age, he actually ran away from his home to his uncle’s place in Delhi. Like everyone else at that time he was enamoured by KL Sehgal. However, unable to make ends meet in the early stage in music, Khayyam joined Indian army for a while during World War Two. And he would regale his fellow army men with music till his old guru Ghulam Ahmed Chishti again took him under his wings in Mumbai.
He composed for a few years for films like Heer Ranjha, till in 1952 when he composed for Footpath and he started using his real name. (Sham-e-gham Ki kasam).
Khayyam at his best
Wo subah kabhi to aayegi
Jaane Kya dhoodhti rehti hain,
Simti hui ye ghadiyan,
Na jaane kya hua jo tune chhu liya,
Main pal do pal ka shayar hoon
Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai.
After that he gave beautiful songs from time to time- Wo subah kabhi to aayegi, Jaane Kya dhoodhti rehti hain, Simti hui ye ghadiyan, Na jaane kya hua jo tune chhu liya, Main pal do pal ka shayar hoon and kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai.
Despite giving hit songs from time to time, he was considered unlucky by filmmakers as the films won’t go on to become superhits. However Kabhie Kabhie changed that.
As Deepa Buty in her blog rightly pointed out how in the 80s, he gave such melodies- sublime, understated and totally against the grain at that point of time. 80s film music is generally forgettable – films were all maar dhaad, angry young men and Southern remakes. It is surprising that Khayyam could still make such wonderful music even in the mediocrity of the 80s.
His talented wife Jagjit Kaur has been a singer in her own right and sung many songs in Khayyam’s films including the haunting and heartbreaking Dekh lo aaj humko jee bhar ke from Bazaar or Kahe ko byahi bidesh from Umrao Jaan.
Some of my favourite Khayyam songs from 80s are
- Umrao Jann of course- Zindgi jab bhi teri bazam mein ( Talat Aziz), 1981
- Ahista Ahista- Kabhi kisi to muqamal jahan nahin milta , 1981
- Bazaar- Dikhai diye yun ke bekhud kiya 1982
- Hazar rahein mud ke dekhin- Thodi si Bewafai, 1980
His songs are still the refuge for hearts seeking some quite, poignant moments in their solitude or if you are in the mood for good soul stirring music.
Lovelifeandcinema 