Legendary Bollywood composer Khayyam celebrates his 92nd birthday happily

Mohammed Zahur Hashmi, better known as ‘Khayyam’, has put music to many of Bollywood’s most legendary films. His career began in 1953, and he worked tirelessly in the industry until 1990.

Born in the state of Punjab in 1927, legend has it that Khayyam ran away to his uncle’s house in New Delhi so that he could immerse himself in the world of cinematic sound, and while his uncle insisted he stay in school, he allowed him to learn music – and he reportedly received training under Pandit Amarnath, a classical vocalist and composer born in 1924.

Khayyam assisted music director Baba Chishti when he was only 17, was in the army for a short while during the Second World War and then moved to Mumbai to pursue his dreams.

The first film he composed music for was Foot Path in 1953, and he is behind the scores for more than 30 films in total. He has won three Filmfare Awards – for Kabhi Kabhie in 1977, Umaro Jaan in 1982 and a lifetime achievement honour in 2010.

Indian singer Talat Aziz, music director Uttam Singh, musician and singer Bhupinder Singh and singer Jagjit Kaur came to the musician’s home to help him celebrate his 92nd birthday.