Once in an interview, Lata Mangeshkar was asked if there was one song which haunted her, followed her for days after she sung it. She replied, "Ae dil-e-naadan" from Razia Sultan. Indeed a sublime composition created with minimalistic use of santoor, sarangi, dhol and Lata's voice filled with love and longing. Nobody else could have done the song, the way Khayyam composed it.
He was, afterall, the man, who crafted gems like "Akele main voh ghabrate to honge" (Biwi, 1948) "Jaane kya dhoondti rehti hai" (Shola aur Shabnam, 1961), "Shaam-e-gham ki qasam" (Footpath, 1953) "Kabhie Kabhie mere dil main" (Kabhie Kabhie, 1976), "Dikhayi diye yun (Bazaar, 1982) "In aankhon ki masti ke (Umrao Jaan, 1981). Recently in town for a concert "Shaam-e-Khayyam", organised by Rotary District 3190 to raise funds for Polio eradication and literacy, the 91-year-old musician reminisced about his childhood, entry into the Hindi film industry and recited some poetry too during a free-wheeling chat.
On early childhood in Rahon, Jalandhar
I didn't study much. Everyone in my family except me is well educated. What I had a thirst for knowledge and values which I imbibed from the environment at home.
We had a qutbkhana, library, which had some of the rarest books. First copy of every book would come to my house. I used to read a lot. Allama Iqbal's books "Bang e dara" and "Baal-e-jibrail" contain the goal and essence of my life. Shayari and mushaira would take place in my house all the time.
Travelling by train, whenever we would cross Bhagat Singh's village, abba jaan (father) would make me and my elder brother stand and salute. Bhagat Singh resides in every particle of my body.
On composing music for just 57 films in a career spanning 70 years
Yes, I was very selective. If, I felt that the film doesn't offer any scope of good work, I used to refuse it. And I won't hesitate in telling you that I used to ask for very high fee and I would also get it. All I wanted to do was to do quality work. I feel blessed that I was able to create good music.
On breaking into Hindi film music industry with "Akele main voh"
My guru changed my name to Sharmaji and I along with Rahman, whose name was changed to Varmaji, composed music for "Biwi" as Sharmaji-Varmaji. I don't really remember why he did it. It could be because Partition was taking place at that time. But I worked as Sharmaji for nearly five years. "Akele main voh" became a rage of the nation.
The success of this song got me "Footpath". I became a favourite of the poets and the industry after the Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari starrer became a huge hit. The film was produced by Chandulal Shah, who was emperor of the film industry at that time.
MUMBAI, 02/06/2007: Music director, Khayyam in Mumbai on June 02, 2007. Photo: Vivek Bendre
On never working with Raj Kapoor
Impressed with my work in "Phir Subah Hogi", he invited me home once. Shankar-Jaikishan, my guru-bhai were also there. They were Raj Kapoor's favourites. During the conversation, I realised, he was paying too much attention towards me, holding my hands and looking at me. He and Krishna bhabhi asked us to stay on for dinner and talks and he went inside. He wanted to work with him on his next project. As soon as he went inside, my wife Jagjeet Kaur suggested to leave. When I asked why, she said, "Haven't you seen the faces of Shankar-Jaikishan? They have turned pale." We left. Raj Kapoor felt very bad and we never worked together. I really needed a big film.
On his craze for K.L.Saigal
He was a "Junoon" for me. I wanted to be like him. He was my role model.
Khayyam helps needy in music industry
He was born as Muhommad Zahoor Khayyam Hashmi in Jallandhar in Punjab. Initially, Khayyam also harboured dreams of becoming an actor. He learnt music under Pandit Amarnath and Pandit Husnlal Bhagat and went to Lahore to train and work under music director G.A.Chisti. He is married to Jagjeet Kaur, who was a remarkable playback singer too with songs like "Tum apna ranjho-gham apni pareshani mujhe de do" (Shagoon, 1964) to her credit. He also served as a soldier in the Indian Army during the Second World War. He is a recipient of Padma Bhushan. On his 90th birthday, he announced the formation of Khayyam Pradeep Jagjit Kaur Charitable Trust to help out needy and aspiring people in the Hindi film music industry.
