One of Khayyam’s earliest triumphs was the evocative Ghazal Sham-e-Gham Kis Kasam in the Dilip Kumar-Meena Kumari experimental film Footpath in 1953, followed by the anthemic song that represented post-Nehruvian optimism about the future — Woh Subah Kabhi To Aayegi sung by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle. Actress Mala Sinha who lip-synced this song with Raj Kapoor on screen revealed in the past that this was the most important song she sang on screen.
Three years later came one of Khayyam’s biggest hits Jeet Hi Lenge Baazi Hum Tum, a tune so intricate that Lata Mangeshkar was compelled to ask Khayyam how he composed it.
Chetan Anand’s Aakhri Khat in 1966 found Lataji soaring to glorious heights with Bahaaron Mera Jeevan Bhi Sawaron and Mere Munne Mere Chanda. Chetan Anand and Khayyam had earlier collaborated on a film that never got made. For that project Khayyam had composed a tune that eventually became the turning point of his career. That tune eventually became Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayaal Aata Hai.
With Yash Chopra’s Kabhi Kabhie (1976) Khayyam’s fortunes did a somersault. He went on to compose noteworthy music for Yash Chopra’s Trishul. Thereafter they had a fall-out and Khayyam was replaced by Shiv-Hari in Yash Chopra’s Silsila. Yash Chopra had offered Silsila to Khayyam, but Khayyam was not comfortable with the theme of adultery. He was never offered another Yash Raj film.
Luckily the composer’s career did not suffer due to his fallout with Yash Chopra. He did his career’s best songs in Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan (also Ali’s Zooni which never got released but which has outstanding music), Esmayeel Shroff’s Thodisi Bewafaii (Hazaar Rahen Mud Ke Dekhin), Sagar Sarhadi’s Bazaar (Dikhayi Diye Yun, Dekh Lo Aaj Humko Jee Bhar Ke, Karoge Yaad Toh), and Kamal Amrohi’s Razia Sultan (Ae Dil-e-Nadaan).
Special mention must also be made of Kamal Amrohi’s unknown film Shankar Hussain in which Lataji sang two of her personal favourites, Apne Aap Raaton Mein and Aap Yun Faaslon Se.
Khayyam’s music, unlike some of the films that featured his songs, will live forever.
