NEW DELHI: Veteran composer Mohammed Zahur ‘Khayyam’ Hashmi, who was behind the music for classic films ‘Umrao Jaan’ and ‘Kabhi Kabhie’, passed away at 92 after prolonged illness at a Mumbai hospital on Monday.
The Padma Bhushan awardee was admitted to Sujay Hospital in suburban Juhu a few days ago owing to breathing issues and other age-related illnesses. “He died at Sujay Hospital at around 9.30 pm,” a family friend told .
Veteran music composer, Mohammed Zahur ‘Khayyam’ Hashmi, passed away at a hospital in Mumbai. https://t.co/AdEpxHm661
— ANI (@ANI) 1566233206000
According to the composer’s spokesperson, Khayyam’s mortal remains will be kept at his residential complex from 10 am onwards for people to pay their last respect. Thereafter, his funeral will take place with full state honours, the spokesperson said.
Several personalities and B-town celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the composer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took some time off his busy schedule and tweeted a tribute for the veteran music composer on Twitter in Hindi and English. He stressed that ‘Khayyam Sahab’ would be remembered for his humanitarian gestures to support upcoming artists.
His post read, “India will remain grateful to Khayyam Sahab for giving us some of the most memorable compositions, which will be remembered forever. He will also be remembered for his humanitarian gestures to support upcoming artists. His demise is extremely saddening.”
India will remain grateful to Khayyam Sahab for giving us some of the most memorable compositions, which will be re… https://t.co/WiysVoUe8q
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1566236325000
In a series of Hindi tweets, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar said that Khayyam’s demise is the end of an era in music.
Mahan sangeetkar Aur bahut nek dil insan Khayyam sahab aaj humare bich nahi rahe. Ye sunkar mujhe itna dukh hua hai… https://t.co/cOB0ufPvsz
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) 1566234461000
She also mentioned that Khayyam was a perfectionist with an impeccable understanding of poetry.
Khayyam sahab mujhe apni choti behen maante the. Wo mere liye apni khas pasand ke gaane banaate the.Unke saath kaam… https://t.co/dPoUbYGVW7
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) 1566235358000
In a subsequent Hindi tweet, the iconic singer said that he enjoyed listening to ‘Raag Pahadi’, which is a popular raga based on folk music. She further added that finding another music composer like Khayyam may not be easy.
Isiliye Meer Taqi Meer jaise mahan shayar ki shayari unhone filmon mein laayi. Dikhayi diye yun,jaisi khubsoorat gh… https://t.co/QsXQ08gWMp
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) 1566235694000
Aisi na jaane kitni baatein yaad aarahi hai, wo gaane wo recordings yaad aarahi hain.Aisa sangeetkar shayad phir ka… https://t.co/7Jstdh0UTo
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) 1566235858000
‘Kabhie Kabhie’ actor Amitabh Bachchan also remembered the ‘legend in music’ as “a soft-spoken, amiable soul”, who also contributed to his several movie, including ‘Trishul’.
T 3262 – .. a legend in music .. a soft spoken amiable soul .. one that contributed to several films and some of th… https://t.co/jKdbhYUam6
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) 1566241469000
While paying condolence to Khayyam in a Hindi post, Anupam Kher said that he spent most of his life listening to Khayyam’s tunes. He tweeted a monochrome picture along with the post.
#KhayyamSaab के जाने का सुनकर बहुत दुःख हुआ। इनकी धुनों को सुनकर हमने अपनी ज़िंदगी के बहुत सारे पड़ाव पार किए है।… https://t.co/HMTPH3P5If
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) 1566243769000
In a Twitter post, lyricist Javed Akhtar called Khayyam a ‘great music director’, and said his composition – ‘Voh Subah Kabhi To Aayehi’ – makes him immortal.
Khayyam saheb the great music director has passed away . He has given many all time great song but to make him imm… https://t.co/BYjJq2SpOa
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) 1566236787000
Remembering Khayyam’s immense contribution to music, directors Karan Johar and Madhur Bhandarkar, and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor condoled his death.
RIP Khayyamsaab!!! Your music lives on……
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) 1566239330000
करोगे याद तो हर बात याद आएगी … #khayyam sir, your immense contribution in the world of music will be always remem… https://t.co/tsEBuVXKte
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) 1566242680000
RIP. Khayyam sahab.
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) 1566236513000
Paying a tribute to the composer, actress Sonam Kapoor wrote the line from the popular song ‘Kabhie Kabhie’.
Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai Ki jaise tujhko banaya gaya hai mere liye Ki jaise tujhko banaya gaya ha… https://t.co/L2GhxpVlOg
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) 1566240331000
“Umrao Jaan” director Muzaffar Ali remembered Khayyam as a “storehouse of feelings, emotions and music”.
Reminiscing the memories of Rekha-fronted 1982 classic, the director said it took Khayyam and him almost two years to create music for the film.
“Day in, day out, I used to go to him. He used to stay at my house. It was an evolution of music. Today, no composer, director or producer will spend so much time on making the music. We left no stone unturned for this film’s music,” Ali told a news agency.
Director Muzaffar Ali (R) said that spending time with Khayyam (L) was an evolution of music.
The musician’s other notable works include films such as “Trishul”, “Noorie” and “Shola Aur Shabnam”.
In 2007, Khayyam was honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Creative Music by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy of music, dance and theatre.
Four years later, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan, the country third highest civilian award. In 2016, the veteran composer established Khayyam Jagjeet Kaur KPG Charitable Trust and pledged to donate his entire wealth to the trust to support budding artists and technicians in India.
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