Legendary music composer Khayyam, 93, who passed away on August 19, spoke to us last year about his musical journey, movies that were special to him, and why it is important to embrace change in music with times
Soumya Vajpayee (BOMBAY TIMES; August 21, 2019)

A musical era has come to an end with the legendary Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi’s demise on the night of August 19. The Padma Bhushan recipient was synonymous with classical music, rich in melody and poetry. His legacy has ensured him a place amongst the immortals. Songs such as Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein and Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon (Kabhie Kabhie, 1976); Ankhon Mein Humne Aapke Sapne (Thodisi Bewafaii, 1980); Dil Cheez Kya Hai and Zindagi Jab Bhi (Umrao Jaan, 1981); Phir Chhidi Raat and Karoge Yaad Toh (Bazaar, 1982); and Ae Dil-e-Naadaan (Razia Sultan, 1983) are some of his haunting melodies.

In an interview with us last year, the celebrated music composer expressed satisfaction with the way his life and career panned out over the years. “By the grace of God, I’ve had a great journey in the Hindi film industry,” he had said, adding, “There were many hardships on the way, but God and my love for music kept me going. I fulfilled my responsibilities to the best of my ability. I’m happy that I made some tunes that people love and admire even today.”

Khayyam always spoke about his love for Umrao Jaan and considered it his favourite work. “I remember when I was supposed to start work on the music of Umrao Jaan (1981). The songs of Pakeezah (1972) were a rage. I was tensed as it was difficult to come up with something as spectacular and to make a mark.”

“I had to do a lot of research about the history of Awadh before composing the songs of Umrao Jaan. I wanted the tracks to have the right essence. It’s because of those challenges that Umrao Jaan is closest to my heart,” Khayyam had said.

While Khayyam was always vocal about the fact that his favourite soundtrack was Umrao Jaan, he held Razia Sultan close to his heart, too. “The film’s script and how the songs were penned made it immortal, especially the track, Ae Dil-e-Nadaan, sung beautifully by Lata Mangeshkar. It is very special to me. Another film that’s close to my heart is Phir Subah Hogi (1958); it was my first collaboration with Raj Kapoor saab,” said the National Award winner.

Synonymous with classic music, high on melody and poetry, Khayyam, however, had no qualms in embracing the changes in music with times. He said, “Music in films today has a lot of western influence, which I don’t enjoy personally, but there’s nothing wrong in that. That’s the kind of music that the younger generation enjoys. It’s the demand of the changing times. See, change is the only constant, and you should know how to go with the flow. The kind of music that’s made for a film completely depends on the subject of a project. Musicians of our time — my seniors and contemporaries — were privileged and lucky to get amazing subjects to work on as our music, poetry and melodies were all dependent on the stories.”

The Padma Bhushan recipient was a fan of the Academy Award-winning composer A R Rahman. “He does some amazing work. His song, Dil Hai Chota Sa Choti Si Asha (Roja, 1992) is incredible. I listen to it over and over again,” he said.

The last few films he composed music for were Yatra (2007), Bazaar E Husn (2014) and the unreleased Ghulam Bandhu.


MEMORIES IN MUSIC: KHAYYAM’S EVERGREEN SONGS

Khayyam, who passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness at the age of 92, created evocative, soul-stirring music reminiscent of the era gone-by in classics such as Umrao Jaan and Kabhi Kabhie. Songs such as Woh Subah Kabhi To Aayegi, Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein, Dil Cheez Kya Hai, Aaja Re O Mere Dilbar and In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke will keep Khayyam’s memory alive for generations to come

Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein: KABHI KABHIE (1976)


Woh Subah Kabhi To Aayegi: PHIR SUBAH HOGI (1958)


Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar: KABHI KABHIE (1976)


Dil Cheez Kya Hai: UMRAO JAAN (1981)


Aaja Re O Mere Dilbar: NOORIE (1979)


Ae Dil-e-Nadan: RAZIA SULTAN (1983)

Karoge Yaad To Har Baat: BAZAAR (1982)

In an exclusive interview with BT, veteran composer Khayyam talks about the changing sound of Hindi film music, and why A R Rahman is his favourite composer
Soumya Vajpayee (BOMBAY TIMES; October 26, 2018)

“By the grace of God, I’ve had a great journey in Bollywood. There were many hardships on the way, but God and my love for music kept me going. I fulfilled my responsibilities to the best of my ability,” says National Award-winning music director Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi, better known as Khayyam.

The man behind classics like Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai (Kabhi Kabhi, 1972) and Dil Cheez Kya Hai (Umrao Jaan, 1981), Khayyam embraces the changing sound of Hindi film music, rather than criticising it like many of his contemporaries. “I feel change is the only constant, and you should know how to go with the flow. The kind of music that’s made for a film completely depends on the subject of a project. My seniors, colleagues and I were privileged to get amazing subjects to work on, because the music, poetry and melodies were all dependent of the stories. The music you make depends on the demands of the filmmakers. So whatever is happening is the demand of the changing times,” says the veteran, whose favourite new-age music maker is Academy Award-winning composer, A R Rahman. “He does some amazing work. His song, Dil Hai Chota Sa, Choti Si Asha (Roja, 1992) is incredible, and among my favourites. I listen to it over and over again.”

Though the composer is 91, he’s still so passionate about music that he doesn’t mind stepping inside a recording studio. “Music is my only love. Though I’m not working on anything at the moment, if something interesting comes my way, I’ll definitely take it up,” says Khayyam, who is being conferred with the Hridaynath Award for Lifetime Achievement today.

“The Mangeshkar family is laden with the best gems from the world of music. Ishwar ne khaas taur par sangeet ki saari shaktiyan Mangeshkar pariwar ko de di hain. It’s a matter of pride for me to be honoured by the family,” says the composer.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 7, 2017)

MID-DAY (July 10, 2016)

"Aapko malum hai, is umar mein toh davai khani padti hai (You know, at this age, you have to take medicines),” says veteran music director and Padma Bhushan awardee Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi — better known as Khayyam — as he downs a few pills. He laughs at his own joke, before letting us in on the eateries that he used to frequent, when he was young. “Now, I eat homecooked food, but when I was single, I would visit Sarvi at Nagpada and Kareem’s at Mohammed Ali Road. Till date, I enjoy a drink or two.”

Today, at the ripe age of 90, Khayyam begins his day at 6.15 am, listening to the gurbani (compositions of the Sikh Gurus and other writers of Guru Granth Sahib), and the Quran. “This routine gives me strength. Even the importance of food is mentioned in these texts. One should eat only 70 per cent of one’s appetite for better digestion. Secondly, you should share your food with outsiders and visitors,” adds Khayyam, whose breakfast at 10 am comprises a glass of Bournvita, an onion and tomato omelette and a date. “I also have a spoonful of Chyawanprash. In my younger days, I ate for pleasure. Today, I eat for life,” he adds.

Lunch at 2.30 pm includes a vegetable, a non-veg dish (he has given up mutton and prefers chicken) prepared by his cook of 30 years, Nirmala. “I also have a bowl of dal, along with rotis.” Dinner includes leftovers from lunch or a new spread of home-cooked fare, at 9 pm sharp.

Once crazy about laddoos, Khayyam has long given them up. “If it comes as prasad, I take a small piece,” he adds. But, what the legendary artiste most craves for is Gujarati food. Film director Chandulal Shah first introduced him to the cuisine. Khayyam also recalls relishing food made by late actor Sanjeev Kumar’s mother. “No one was allowed in her kitchen, except for my wife, Jagjit Kaur.” “I loved the dhokla she made,” 86-year-old Kaur chips in. She leaves us with another food nugget. “Singer Mukesh loved my kebabs. And Khayyam saab would schedule recordings in such a way that he could stay back for them.”