Humming the Immortal Tunes of Khayyam

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 18 February 2023 “Jaane Kya Dhoondhti Rahati Hain Ye Aankhein Mujh Mein” (Film: Shola Aur Shabnam, 1961), “Tum Apna Ranjo-Gham Apni Pareshani Mujhe De Do” (Film: Shagoon, 1964), “Baharo, Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro" (Film: Aakhri Khat, 1966), among others instantaneously remind you of Muhammad Zahoor Khayyam Hashmi who composed these evergreen numbers. Veteran music director-composer Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi, ----- Today (Feb 18) is his 96th birth anniversary. His entire career was a vindication of quality over quantity. Though he composed music for just 50-odd movies, he distinguished himself as a composer par excellence. Despite hailing from Punjab, Khayyam's music never betrayed the boisterous streak and spirit Punjabis are known for. Au contraire, his tunes were always soft and lilting. Can the number, "Thahariye Hosh Mein Aa Loon Toh Chale Jaiyega " ( Muhabbat Isko Kahte Hain, 1965, Rafi-Suman Kalyanpur) ever be expunged from the memory of connoisseurs? Or, “Hai Kali-Kali Ke Lab Par " (Film, Lala Rukh, 1958) shall remain verdant in our consciousness. Khayyam's " Jeet Hi Lenge Baazi Hum-Tum, Khel Adhoora..." (Shola aur Shabnam, Rafi-Lata, 1961) is always considered to be a quintessential composition, meant for duets. All his magnificent compositions like “Kahin Ek Maasoom, Naazuk-Si Ladki," " Aap Yoon Faaslon Se Guzarte Rahe," and "Apne Aap Raaton Mein Chilmanein Sarakti Hain" (a rare number of Lata) have retained their mojo till date, though the film 'Shankar-Hussain' (1977) flopped miserably and disappeared into oblivion sans a trace. It's a pity (he himself admitted) that today, Khayyam is remembered for his rather monotonous compositions for much-hyped 'Umrao Jaan' ( 1981), 'Kabhi Kabhi', 'Dard' or 'Razia Sultan' or ' Thodi-Si Bewafai ' whereas he himself wanted to be remembered for his music for 'Footpath' ( 1953, his debut film), 'Phir Subha Hogi' ( 1958) and 'Shola aur Shabnam' ( 1961). It was Khayyam's misfortune that his immortal creation with Sahir, “Simti Hui Ye Ghadiyan” (Film, ' Chambal Ki Qasam, Rafi-Lata, 1980) couldn't become a cult song because the film bombed at the box office. But old timers still love to listen to 'Simti Hui Ye Ghadiyaan'. It's a pretty long and haunting number that never loses its charm. By the way, it was one of the last renditions of Sahir and Rafi. But Khayyam and Nida Fazli's “Kabhi Kisi Ko Mukammal Jahan Nahin Milta " (Film, Ahista- Ahista, 1981, sung separately by Bhupinder Singh and Asha Bhonsle) hasn't lost its musicality, though no one cares for the movie. Khayyam also composed music for private albums. He composed music for the Ghazals of classical Urdu poets like Mir, Daagh and Ghalib. Listen to his composition of Daagh Dehlavi's immortal Ghazal, ' Ghazab Kiya Tere Vaade Pe Aitbaar Kiya '(Rafi). It's simply un chef d'oeuvre (a masterpiece). After listening to some of Khayyam's finest compositions from the 50s and 60s, the horrendous songs of today sound like screams of a lamb being dragged to an abattoir. We'll always remember you Khayyam Saheb. ------- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/immortal-tunes-khayyam/d/129132 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism