Legendary music composer Mohammed Zahur ‘Khayyam’ Hashmi, known for evergreen soundtracks for Hindi films like Kabhie Kabhie and Umrao Jaan, passed away at the age of 92 in a Mumbai hospital on Monday, 19 August. He had been in the ICU for a lung infection since 4 August.
Condolences are pouring in from the industry. Speaking to The Quint, music composer and singer Salim Merchant said, “I wasn’t alone with Khayyamji during his final moments. Talat Aziz bhai was there with his wife Bina. I wasn’t even in town. Talat bhai is like his son and he visited Khayyamji in hospital everyday. I was sending my prayers and wishes. I just happened to visit him yesterday and he wasn’t feeling good. He was moved to the ventilator later on.”
“As a teenager, I grew up listening to him and that was my introduction to Indian classical music. My introduction to film music was through Umrao Jaan. He has contributed some great music to our films and is a legend.”Salim Merchant
Remembering the late music composer, Salim Merchant said, “Khayyamji lived his life. He was a fighter and a very happy human being. I have an amazing memory with him from just three months back. I had a great opportunity to meet him, again through Talat bhai. We spent hours talking about music and staging Umrao Jaan. I wanted him (Mohammed Zahur ‘Khayyam’ Hashmi) to come for the premier of the play. He agreed to come and speak about Umrao Jaan and his music. As a teenager, I grew up listening to him and that was my introduction to Indian classical music. My introduction to film music was through Umrao Jaan. He has contributed some great music to our films and is a legend.” He dedicated the song Kabhi kabhi to the celebrated composer.
Singer Shilpa Rao, too, has some fond memories. “It was my first year of college. I had gone to meet him at his house. He had asked me to prepare something and come”, she told The Quint. The songs of Umrao Jaan will stay with me forever. She also dedicated a couple of lines of Yeh Kya Jagah Hai Doston from Umrao Jaan to Khayyam.
“What a wonderful person he was, always kind and encouraging to us as well as to new talent”.Vishal Dadlani
Vishal Dadlani said that music has lost a note today. “Oh my god! Music has lost a note today. What a wonderful person he was, always kind and encouraging to us as well as to new talent. This is a huge and terrible loss”, he told The Quint.
He added, “The soundtracks of Kabhie Kabhi and Umrao Jaan are my favourites, but when I was little, I remember literally hearing the mountains in his magical title track for the film Noorie. I'll never forget hearing that song for the first time.”
Singer Lesle Lewis recalls singing for Khayyam sahab at one of the Mirchi Music Awards. “It’s India’s loss of a Melodic Doyen. I was extremely lucky to have worked with him in my early days. I also got an opportunity to sing Kabhie Kabhi for him at one of the Mirchi Music Awards. His passing away is a huge loss for all of us”, he said.
“I’ve always been and will be a fan of Khayyam saab just like many others. It’s disheartening to know that a great soul like him is no more with us. Our loss. My prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones”, Sunidhi Chauhan told The Quint.
“From sitting four rows behind Khayyam Sahab just months ago for a showcase of Umrao Jaan to hearing of his demise sends a chill down my spine.”Shalmali Kholgade
Shalmali Kholghade said, “The world will forever be grateful for his invaluable contribution to the Indian Film Music. May his soul rest in peace.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his demise. “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”, he wrote.
Lata Mangeshkar, too, expressed her condolences. She took to Twitter to write that she was like a younger sister to Khayyam sahab.
Here’s what Javed Akhtar wrote, “Khayyam saheb the great music director has passed away . He has given many all time great song but to make him immortal only one was enough ‘voh subah kabhi to aayehi’”.
Singer Shreya Ghoshal too took to Twitter to express her grief.
Check out some more tweets:
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