Mohammed Zahur "Khayyam" Hashmi, better known as
Khayyam, is an
IndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n music composer whose career spanned four decades (1953–1990).
He has won three
Filmfare AwardsThe Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
for
Best MusicThe Filmfare Best Music Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to the best composer/arranger of a soundtrack. This category was first presented in 1954. Naushad was the first recipient of this award for his song "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj"...
in 1977 for
Kabhi Kabhie and 1982 for
Umrao JaanUmrao Jaan is a 1981 Bollywood film, directed by Muzaffar Ali. It is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada , written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa based on the famous Lucknow courtesan...
, and a lifetime achievement award in 2010 . He was awarded the 2007
Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
in Creative Music, by the
Sangeet Natak AkademiSangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Theatre. He has been awarded the third-highest civilian honour, Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for 2011.
Early life
Khayyam was born as Sa’aadat Hussain in undivided
PunjabThe Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
in
RahonRahon is a city and a municipal council in the Nawanshahr district of the Indian state of Punjab.-Geography:Rahon is located at . It has an average elevation of 250 metres .Situated on the Jullundur City Jaijon Doaba line of the Northern Railway, Rahon is 7 KM from Nawashahr, the...
, a village in
Nawanshahr District* http://wikimapia.org/#lat=31.1185556&lon=76.1433434&z=13&l=0&m=a&v=2...
. As a boy Khayyam ran away to
DelhiDelhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
to learn music but was forced to return to complete his education. Khayyam then went to
LahoreLahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
to learn music from the famous
Baba ChishtiGhulam Ahmed Chishti was a Pakistani music composer, attributed as being one of the founders of Pakistani film music. He is also sometimes referred to as Baba Chishti....
.
He was never interested in his studies and was always fascinated by the music of Hindi cinema. He was inclined to the music when he was very young. He often escaped to the city for watching movies. Khaiyyam soon ran away to his uncle's house in Delhi, in the hope of becoming an actor. Khaiyyam's uncle enrolled him in a school, but when he saw his passion for films, he allowed him to learn music. In those days it was actually a step forward in realizing his ambitions. He got his training in music under Pandit Amar Nath.
Career
He went to Lahore looking for roles in films. There he also learnt music from famous Baba Chishti who was a famous Pakistani music director. Fate had something else in store for him. One day Khaiyyam had gone to meet G.A. Chishti, one of the foremost music directors from Pakistan. When young Khaiyyam who was listening to the composition by Chishti and sung to him its first part. Impressed Chishti gave him an offer of joining him as an assistant. Khayyam assisted Chishti for six months and came to Ludhiana in 1943. He was only 18 then.
After a stint in the Army in the Second World War, Khayyam went to
BombayMumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
to fulfil his dream. He made his debut as Sharmaji of the Sharmaji-Varmaji composer duo with the movie Heer Ranjha in 1948. He went solo after his co-composer Rahman Varma went to the newly created Pakistan post partition. One of his earliest breaks was in the film Biwi in which the song “Akele mein wo ghabrate to Honge” sung by
Mohammed RafiMohammad Rafi , was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades. He was awarded National Award and 6 Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri awarded by the Government of India....
was a huge hit. But he gained greater recognition from the film
Phir Subha HogiPhir Subha Hogi is a 1958 Hindi movie. The film was produced and directed by Ramesh Saigal. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Mala Sinha, Rehman, Leela Chitnis and Tun Tun. The films music is by Khayyam...
starring
Raj KapoorKnown as Ranbir Raj Kapoor Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara and Boot Polish were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the...
and
Mala SinhaMala Sinha is an Indian actress, who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Recognised for her acting talent and beauty, she went on to become a popular leading actress in Hindi films from the early fifties till late seventies...
, in which songs written by Sahir Ludhyanvi and sung by Mukesh and Asha Bhonsle were set to tune by Khayyam, notable amongst them “Wo Subha Kabhi to Aayegi”, “Aasman Pe hai Khauda aur Zameen pe Hum” and “Chin-o-Arab Humara”.
The film
Shola Aur Shabnam established Khayyam’s reputation as a great composer. The songs written by
Kaifi AzmiKaifi Azmi was an Indian Urdu poet. He is considered to be one the greatest Urdu poets of 20th century. Together with Pirzada Qasim, Jon Eliya and many others he participated in many memorable mushairas of 20th century.-Early life:...
are some of the greats of the Hindi Film Industry. From Shola aur Shabnam “Jaane kya dhhonti rehti hein ye aanken mujhmen” sung by Rafi and “Jeet Hi lenge Baazi Hum tum” sung by Lata and Rafi, from the Chetan Anand directed
Aakhri KhatAakhri Khat is a 1966 Bollywood film written and directed by Chetan Anand. This is Rajesh Khanna's first film released, but actually his debut film is Raaz, which was released a year later...
“Baharon mera jeevan bhi Sawaron” by Lata and “Aur kuch der theher,a ur kuch der na ja” by Rafi. Also, noticeable are songs from the film
ShagunShagun is a Hindi language daily Indian soap opera that broadcast on STAR Plus. A story of fortune's twists and pitfalls that tear asunder the lives of two cousins tied together by a bond stronger than that of blood - the bond of love.-Overview:...
which had Khayyam’s wife
Jagjit KaurDr. Jagjit Kaur is Director Youth Welfare and head of Youth Welfare Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Youth Welfare Department organizes University Zonal, Inter-zonal Youth Festivals, Youth Leadership Training & Hiking, Trekking Camps, Inter-State Tours, coaching camps and prepare...
sing “Tum apna ranj-o-gham” and “Tum chali Jaogi”. From the film Lalarokh “Hai Kali Kali ke lab par” sung by Rafi and from
FootpathFootpath is a 1953 Hindi film directed and written by Zia Sarhadi. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari and Anwar Hussain. The music of the film is by Timir Baran and Khayyam.-Synopsis:...
“Shyam-e-Gham ki Kasam” sung by Talat Mehmood. From Mohhabat Isko Kehte hein "Theheriye hosh mein aa lun to chaley jaiyega" by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur.
The 70’s saw Khayyam team up with Sahir Ludhyanvi once again to work in the
Yash ChopraYash Raj Chopra is an Indian filmmaker, film director, screenwriter, and a highly successful Bollywood producer. Waqt, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Veer-Zaara are some of his highly popular movies...
-directed “Kabhi Kabhi”. The songs were super hits and showed Khayyam’s versatility with huge hits like “Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein Khayal ata hai”, “Tere chehre se nazar Nahin hatti” and “Mein Pal do pal ka Sahayar Hun”. The film
Shankar Hussain Shankar Hussain is a 1977 Bollywood film directed by Yusuf Naqvi. It has memorable songs by Rafi sing Kahin ek Masum Nazuk si Lardki sung by Rafi and Aaap yun Faaslon Se sung by Lata, both classics Khayyam's repertoire.-Cast:*Pradeep Kumar...
had Rafi sing "Kahin ek Masum Nazuk si Lardki" and Lata render "Aaap yun Faaslon Se", both classic Khayyam songs.
Khayyam’s gave memorable music to the late 70’s and early 80’s was from
Trishul,
Thodi Si Bewafaai,
BazaarBazaar is a 1982 Indian film directed by Sagar Sarhadi and starring Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Smita Patil and Supriya Pathak.The film highlights the tragedy of young girls being sold by needy parents to affluent Indians in the Gulf...
and
NoorieNoorie is a 1979 Hindi movie produced by Yash Chopra, and directed by Manmohan Krishna. The film stars Farooq Shaikh, Poonam Dhillon, Madan Puri, Iftekhar . The films music is by Khayyam and the lyrics by Jan Nisar Akhtar...
. Again pairing with Sahir in Trishul he produced great songs like “Mohabbat bare kaam ki cheez hai” and “Janeman tum kamal karti ho” and the light “Gapuchi Gapuchi gam gam”. “Hazar rahen” from Thodi si Bewafai and “Aaja re o mere dilbar Aaja” from Noorie and “Dikahyi Diye” from Bazaar are some noticeable songs. Khayyam also created music for the
Kamal AmrohiSyed Amir Haider Kamal Naqvi popularly known as Kamal Amrohi or Amrohvi in Urdu was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and dialogue writer. He was a Shi'a Muslim and an Urdu and Hindi poet. He is most known for his Hindi films such as Mahal , Pakeezah and Razia Sultan...
directed “Razia Sultan” and his “Aye dil-e-nadan” sung by Lata capturing the mood beautifully.
One of popular song is Cho lene do.
Khayyam was still to deliver his best and the opportunity came in
Muzaffar AliRajah Muzaffar Ali is an Indian film-maker, a fashion designer, a poet, an artist, a music-lover, a revivalist, and a social worker.He belongs to a Royal Muslim Rajput family of Kotwara. He is not to be confused with the famous 16th century Persian artist of the Persian miniature.Muzaffar Ali was...
’s
Umrao JaanUmrao Jaan is a 1981 Bollywood film, directed by Muzaffar Ali. It is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada , written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa based on the famous Lucknow courtesan...
in 1981. He made Asha Bhonsle sing songs which are indisputably her best. “In Aankhon ki masti ke”, “Ye Kya Jagah hai doston” and “Dil Cheez kya hai” are evergreen.
Khayyam also composed non film songs noticeably "Paaon padun tore Shyam, Brij mein laut chalo" and "Ghazab kiya tere Vaade pe Aitbaar kiya". He also composed for Meena Kumari's album, 'I Write, I Recite' featuring nazms of Meena Kumari sung by her.
Khayyam has always preferred to work with the poets having strong background of poetry side lining the regular film lyricists. That is the reason one finds
poetryPoetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
playing an equal role in Khayyam's compositions as the music or the singer. Khayyam prefers to give full freedom to the poets to express their views thereby making the expression of the songs more poetic and more meaningful.
He has worked with both the contemporary and the legends in the field of poetry. That's the reason one finds in his account the work profiled by
Mirza GhalibDabir-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-Daula Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan , pen-name Ghalib and Asad , was a classical Urdu and Persian poet from India during British colonial rule...
, Daagh, Wali Saheb,
Ali Sardar JafriAli Sardar Jafri was an Urdu writer, poet, critic and film lyricist from India.-Early life and education:Ali Sardar Jafri was born in an aristocratic family in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, where he spent his formative years....
,
Majrooh SultanpuriMajrooh Sultanpuri was an Urdu poet, lyricist and songwriter...
,
Sahir LudhianviSahir Ludhianvi was a popular Urdu poet and Hindi lyricist and songwriter. Sahir Ludhianvi is his pseudonym...
, and among the new ones Naqsh Lyalpuri,
Nida FazliMuqtida Hasan Nida Fazli popularly known as Nida Fazli is an Indian Urdu poet.-Early life:Nida Fazli was born in Delhi, India and attended school in Gwalior. His father was an Urdu poet...
&
Ahmed WasiAhmed Wasi is not an anonymous name in the field of Urdu literature and Hindi film music. He has been associated with the Hindi film music in two ways. One is that he is himself a lyricist and second that being a radio announcer he was always in touch with the film songs.-Early years:Ahmed Wasi...
to name a few.
After a very long break, he gave music in
YatraYatra is a Hindi movie directed by Gautam Ghose, the movie featured Rekha, Nana Patekar and Deepti Naval.-Plot:...
in 2006.
In 2010, he was given the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
Awards and nominations
Won
- 1977: Filmfare Best Music Director Award
The Filmfare Best Music Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to the best composer/arranger of a soundtrack. This category was first presented in 1954. Naushad was the first recipient of this award for his song "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj"...
: Kabhi Kabhie
- 1982: Filmfare Best Music Director Award: Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan is a 1981 Bollywood film, directed by Muzaffar Ali. It is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada , written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa based on the famous Lucknow courtesan...
- 2007: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
: Creative Music
- 2010: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
The Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, initially named Raj Kapoor Award for Lifetime Achievement after Raj Kapoor is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films....
- 2011: Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
Nominated
- 1980: Filmfare Best Music Director Award: Noorie
Noorie is a 1979 Hindi movie produced by Yash Chopra, and directed by Manmohan Krishna. The film stars Farooq Shaikh, Poonam Dhillon, Madan Puri, Iftekhar . The films music is by Khayyam and the lyrics by Jan Nisar Akhtar...
- 1981: Filmfare Best Music Director Award: Thodisi Bewafai
- 1982: Filmfare Best Music Director Award: Bazaar
Bazaar is a 1982 Indian film directed by Sagar Sarhadi and starring Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Smita Patil and Supriya Pathak.The film highlights the tragedy of young girls being sold by needy parents to affluent Indians in the Gulf...
- 1984: Filmfare Best Music Director Award: Razia Sultan
Razia Sultan is 1983 Urdu film, written and directed by Kamal Amrohi, and starring Hema Malini and Dharmendra in lead roles.The film's music was provided by Khayyam, with lyrics by Jan Nisar Akhtar and two songs by Nida Fazli who walked into the project when Akhtar died...
Filmography
- Yatra
Yatra is a Hindi movie directed by Gautam Ghose, the movie featured Rekha, Nana Patekar and Deepti Naval.-Plot:...
(2006)
- Jaan-E-Wafa (1990)
- Ek Naya Rishta (1988)
- Anjuman (1986)
- Bepanaah (1985)
- Lorie (1984)
- Mehndi (1983)
- Razia Sultan
Razia Sultan is 1983 Urdu film, written and directed by Kamal Amrohi, and starring Hema Malini and Dharmendra in lead roles.The film's music was provided by Khayyam, with lyrics by Jan Nisar Akhtar and two songs by Nida Fazli who walked into the project when Akhtar died...
(1983)
- Dil... Akhir Dil Hai (1982)
- Sawaal
Sawaal is a Hindi film produced by Yash Chopra and directed by Ramesh Talwar, released in 1982. The music was composed by Khayyam and the lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Despite an all-star cast, it did not succeed at the box office.-Plot :...
(1982)
- Baawri (1982)
- Bazaar
Bazaar is a 1982 Indian film directed by Sagar Sarhadi and starring Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Smita Patil and Supriya Pathak.The film highlights the tragedy of young girls being sold by needy parents to affluent Indians in the Gulf...
(1982)
- Dil-E-Nadaan (1982)
- Ahista Ahista
.Ahista Ahista is a Bollywood film released in October, 1981. The film stars Kunal Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure, Shashikala and Nanda. Beautiful lyrics and earpleasing music were the highlights of this film...
(1981)
- Dard
Dard or Conflict of Emotions is a 1981 Bollywood crime film directed by Ambrish Sangal. Rajesh Khanna who has a double role in the film was nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 1982 for his performance in this film.-Cast:...
(1981)
- Nakhuda (1981)
- Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan is a 1981 Bollywood film, directed by Muzaffar Ali. It is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada , written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa based on the famous Lucknow courtesan...
(1981)
- Chambal Ki Kasam
Chambal Ki Kasam is a 1980 Hindi movie directed by Ram Maheshwari. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, Moushumi Chatterjee, Farida Jalal, Amjad Khan, Bhagwan and Nirupa Roy. The films music is by Khayyam...
(1980)
- Thodi Si Bewafaai (1980)
- Khandan (1979)
- Noorie
Noorie is a 1979 Hindi movie produced by Yash Chopra, and directed by Manmohan Krishna. The film stars Farooq Shaikh, Poonam Dhillon, Madan Puri, Iftekhar . The films music is by Khayyam and the lyrics by Jan Nisar Akhtar...
(1979)
- Trishul
Trishul is an Indian Hindi film directed by Yash Chopra and produced by Gulshan Rai in 1978. It is written by Salim-Javed, with music by Khayyam and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. The movie was a "blockbuster" Hit at the box-office and one of the top grossers of 1978, along with Muqaddar Ka Sikander...
(1978)
- Shankar Hussain
Shankar Hussain is a 1977 Bollywood film directed by Yusuf Naqvi. It has memorable songs by Rafi sing Kahin ek Masum Nazuk si Lardki sung by Rafi and Aaap yun Faaslon Se sung by Lata, both classics Khayyam's repertoire.-Cast:*Pradeep Kumar...
(1977)
- Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
- Sankalp (1975)
- Aakhri Khat
Aakhri Khat is a 1966 Bollywood film written and directed by Chetan Anand. This is Rajesh Khanna's first film released, but actually his debut film is Raaz, which was released a year later...
(1966)
- Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965)
- Shagoon (1964)
- Shola Aur Shabnam
Shola Aur Shabnam is a 1961 Bollywood romance film written and directed by Ramesh Saigal. It stars Dharmendra, Tarla Mehta, Abhi Bhattacharya, Vijayalakshmi and M. Rajan in pivotal roles. It was one of the very early films of Dharmendra...
(1961)
- Lala Rukh (1958)
- Phil Subha Hogi (1958)
- Gul Bahar (1954)
- Foot Path
Footpath is a 1953 Hindi film directed and written by Zia Sarhadi. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari and Anwar Hussain. The music of the film is by Timir Baran and Khayyam.-Synopsis:...
(1953)
External links