Celebrated music composer Mohammad Zahur Khayyam Hashmi passed away at 9.30 pm on Monday. Popular known as Khayyam has contributed to some of Bollywood’s iconic soundtracks and some of his works are Kabhi Kabhi, Umrao Jann, Noorie, Raaziya Sultan, Bazaar and others. The Padma Bhushan Awardee’s music is best described as poetic and melodic. Khayyam ruled the Indian film industry for four decades, born in undivided Punjab he ran away to Delhi to learn music. His family forced him to return home in order to complete his studies. But he could not be kept away from music for long. Khayyam went to Lahore to learn music from Baba Chisti. 92-years-old Khayyam was admitted to the hospital on July 28th due to a lung infection and age-related ailment. During the tough times, Ghazal singer Talat Aziz stood beside the composer and his wife Jagjit Kaur. Aziz was the first person to share this tragic news saying,
“He was on the ventilator for a while. The doctors informed me that Khayyam Saab passed away at 9.30 pm. I’ll take his body home today and will make arrangements for the burial tomorrow. He wanted his burial to happen at the Four Bungalows graveyard. I’m extremely worried about his wife Jagjit Ji, as she, too, has been unwell for a while.”
The entire film industry expressed their condolences after his demise; even the Prime Minister of the country tweeted in his remembrance. Khayyam’s last rites will be performed on Tuesday afternoon.
