Khayyam

Khayyam Biography

Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein – Perhaps the most popular romantic song of Bollywood that equally appeals present youth as well as people of old age; Music of this wonderful song was composed and arranged by Khayyam. Khayyam has contributed a lot of beautiful ‘ghazal’ type poems to music lovers of which music of Kabhi Kabhi, Umrao Jaan, Noorie, Baazar, Shola aur shabnam, Khandan, Thodi si bewafai, Aakhri khat, Trishool, Ahistha ahistha, Baawri and Razia Sulthan are remembered most. His songs have a magical touch of ghazals beautifully blended with Indian classical music and that’s the reason why Kabhi Kabhi and Umrao jaan still stay live in millions of hearts.

Mohammed Zahur Khayyam, shortly known as Khayyam was born in a Punjabi family. His attachment to music prompted him to run away from home to learn music. But he had to return back to education. Later he went to Lahore to learn music from Baba Chisthi. Later he assisted his guru for many projects and returned back when he was 17. He started his career in India along with Rahman Varma in the name Sharmaji Varmaji, but the partnership broke when Rahman went to Pakisthan with partition. He started his solo work and a few of his works were well noticed too. Works  of Biwi, Phir suba hogi and Shola aur Shabnam helped him to establish as a reputed music composer.

He did the compositions of Rajesh Khanna’s debut movie Aakhri Khath and the song ‘Baharom mere jeevan bhi samalo’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar was well noticed and appreciated. Yet, he kept himself away from mainstream cinema by giving music to only a few songs. His association with lyricist Sahir Ludianvi during 1970’s give some memorable compositions to Bollywood. Kabhi Kabhi was one such movie with evergreen songs Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein and Mein pal do pal ka shayar hoon. He has been awarded Filmfare awards twice for Kabhi kabhi and Umrao Jaan and National awards for Umrao Jaan.

Other hit songs of Khayyam include Dil cheez kya, In aankhom ki and Yeh kya jaga hai of Umrao jaan, E dil e naadan of Razia Sulthan, Gaabuji and Muhabbat badi kaam ki cheez of Trishul, Tere chehre se nazar nahi hadthi of Kabhi kabhi, Noorie title song, Dikhayi diye yun ki bequd kiya of Noorie and Aap yun of Shankar Hussain. The songs of Umrao Jaan gave a new life to Asha Bhosle and Rekha and gave both of them, National awards. Khayyam too, received National award for its music.  

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Updated: June 08, 2013