Celebrating the Timeless Melodies of Khayyam
The Enchantment of Khayyam's Music
Khayyam's music is renowned for its enchanting quality and melodic richness, creating a legacy that resonates through generations.
Behind many of his iconic songs lie fascinating stories. For example, the melody that became Sahir Ludhianvi's famous song 'Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayaal Aata Hai' was initially intended for a film by Chetan Anand in 1950, which ultimately never materialized.
When Yash Chopra approached Khayyam for 'Kabhi Kabhie', it marked a pivotal moment in his career. Khayyam reached out to Chetan Anand for the original tune, which he graciously provided, leading to the creation of one of the most celebrated hits in Hindi cinema.
In 'Kabhi Kabhie', Khayyam, who had been relatively quiet since composing for less successful films like 'Footpath' in 1953, produced a soundtrack that is considered one of the most comprehensive in Hindi film history. The score beautifully encapsulates a range of romantic emotions, from the heartfelt 'Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayaal Aata Hai' to the lively 'Tere Chehre Se Nazar Nahin Hat Ti', showcasing the essence of youthful love.
Sahir Ludhianvi's poetry in the film serves as a tribute to the beauty of Raakhee Gulzar, who portrayed Pooja, embodying an idealized vision of feminine allure. His evocative lines, 'Tu abb se pehle sitaron mein bass rahi thi kahin, tujhe zameen pe bulaya gaya hai mere liye', reflect the poet's ethereal love.
Another intriguing anecdote involves Khayyam's composition for the film 'Khandaan', where he created the haunting ghazal 'Maana Teri Nazar Mein Tera Pyar Hum Nahin'. Although it was not used in 'Khandaan', it later found a place in 'Ahista Ahista', featuring Padmini Kolhapure.
Khayyam's music often faced unfortunate circumstances that overshadowed its brilliance.
The duet 'Yeh Haseen Raat', recorded for the abandoned film 'Majnoon', is a monumental piece nearly ten minutes long, featuring the voices of the legendary Goddess and Yesudas. Composed by Khayyam and penned by Jan Nissar Akhtar, this melody was destined for a film directed by Kamal Amrohi, known for 'Pakeezah'. However, after an extravagant launch, the film was shelved, which was to star Rajesh Khanna and Rakhee Gulzar.
Tajdar Amrohi, Kamal Amrohi's son, shared insights about the film's fate, revealing that disputes over casting led to its cancellation. He lamented the loss of what could have been a remarkable project, stating, 'You have no idea what the world lost.' He also mentioned another song recorded for 'Majnoon' by Lata Mangeshkar, which remains elusive.
In Muzaffar Ali's 'Zooni', Khayyam crafted a score that rivaled 'Umrao Jaan', with Asha Bhosle lending her voice to exquisite tracks like 'Allah Khair Maango Sab Ki Khair' and 'Tere Bin Yeh Jeewan Kya Hai Dilbar Mere'. Each song stands as a testament to Khayyam's artistry.
There is a pressing need to revive and release these hidden gems of music, as neglecting them would be a disservice.
Another shelved project, 'Zeenat', featured Lataji's remarkable performances in Khayyam's compositions, including 'Teri Zulfon Ki Mahek' and 'Mohabbat Zindagi Hai'. Additionally, in 'Pyasi Dharti', she excelled in songs like 'Kya Shauq Kya Khayal Hai' and 'Har Nayi Subah Nayi Aas Liye Aate'.
These masterpieces deserve to be celebrated and heard widely. Khayyam's response to the obscurity of his work was characteristically profound: 'So what if others haven't heard it? You have heard it.'