On the occasion of his 90th birthday he & his wife announced the formation of “KHAYYAM PRADEEP JAGJIT KAUR” Trust and its trustees!
Ghazal singer Talat Aziz as one of the trustees
Leading light of the Indian Music Fraternity, legendary music director Khayyam Saab celebrated his 90th birth anniversary. Recipient of the National Award- Govt. of India, Khayyam Saab is among the last living composers of Hindi films’ golden era of music.
The evening had Khayyam Saab & his wife Mrs. Jagjit Kaur announce the Trust & its trustees which was the highlight of the evening. The name of the trust is “KHAYYAM PRADEEP JAGJIT KAUR (KPJ Charitable Trust)” to extend a helping hand to all needy & aspiring people from Music Fraternity. Khayyam Saab has given away his entire wealth for the trust. Khayyam Saab also announced renowned Ghazal singer Talat Aziz as one of the trustees of “KHAYYAM PRADEEP JAGJIT KAUR TRUST (KPJ Charitable Trust)” .
Fan & well wishers came to wish Khayaam Saab on his 90th Birth Anniversary. The evening saw the presence of Talat Aziz, Bina Aziz .
Recalling his special association with him Talat Aziz says “Khayyam Saab is a living legend. The Indian Music Industry has never witnessed a gem like him. There was another aspect of Khayyam Saab’s work that sets him apart from other composers— his non-film ghazals. Do you know that he is the only composer whose compositions Begum Akhtar recorded for HMV in her entire career? Otherwise she has sung only her own. Throughout his career and especially during his sabbaticals from Bollywood, he recorded many ghazals including one album with Rafi Saheb which drew a niche but devoted set of fans. I am overwhelmed to be a part of this evening as everyone knows that he was the first one to introduce me to the world of film music in the classic Umrao Jaan. And speaking of Umrao Jaan who can forget Dil cheez kya hai sung brilliantly by none other than Ashaji….His songs in films with all the greats like Talat, Mahmood, Lataji, Rafi Saheb, Mukesh ji are now part of Bollywood music history. May God Bless him with health “
Music director Khayyam Saab has composed music for just over 50 films in his long career, yet his impact on listeners has been far greater than many who scored for several hundred movies. Like Dilip Kumar among actors, Khayyam Saab too shines out with his majestic performance. No wonder connoisseurs hold Khayyam Saab in high esteem for his immaculate standards of musical harmony, as his creativity symbolises Victor Hugo’s irrefutable belief that “music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”.
Choosing a favourite from his songs is a difficult proposition, but who can ever forget the pious yearning of “Woh Subah Kabhi To Aayegi”, the heart wrenching “Jaane Kya Dhoondhti Rehti Hain Ye Aankhen”, the cry of “Bujha Diye Hain Khud Apne Haathon”, the romantic tease of “Thehriye Hosh Mein Aa Lun” or the love ballad of “Kahin Ek Masoom Nazuk Si Ladki”?
Naming few more: Phir Subha Hogi (1958), Shagoon (1964),Aakhri Khat (1966), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978),Thodisi Bewafaii (1980), Umrao Jaan (1981), Dard (1981),Ahista Ahista (1981), Bazaar (1982)
Khayyam Saab was the only Music Composer whose composition Begum Akhtar recorded for HMV in her entire career. Khayyam was still to deliver his best and the opportunity came in Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan in 1981. He made Asha Bhonsle sing songs which are indisputably her best. “In Aankhon ki masti ke”, “Ye Kya Jagah hai doston” and “Dil Cheez kya hai” are evergreen.
Khayyam Saab, who never kept a team of assistants, credits his success to his beloved wife Jagjit Kaur & his son Late Pradeep whose been a part of his musical journey applauding them as his greatest strength and inspiration. Khayyam Saab was always effusive with his praise for his wife Jagjit Kaur. She may have been behind the scenes but was a key element in Khayyam Saab’s success. It seems appropriate to recognize their partnership with the only film song they sang together ‘Kab Yaad Mein Tera Saath Nahin’ (Anjuman, 1986).
Declared as one of the greatest Bollywood Music Directors of all time, Khayyam Saab has triumphed upon the hearts of millions with his unique style of music. He has carved his name on prestigious awards like: Best Music Director of the Millennium- Govt. of Punjab, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, Madhya Pradesh State Award, Ashok Award- Govt. of Punjab, BFJA’s Best Music Director Award, UPFJA’s Best Music of Quarter Century Award, K.L Saigal Award by Javitri Vikas Samiti, Sangeet Natak Award Academy, Govt. of Maharashtra Award, Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, CINTAA Award, IMPPA Award, Urdu Marakaz Mumbai Award, Shri Yash Laxmi Art Pune, Award, Awami Haridas Award, Bhagwati Saraswati Puraskar, Talkie 75 Scroll of Honour, MAMI Award, Naushad Sangeet Kendra Samman, Cinegoer Association Award, Asha Bhosle Puraskar, to name a few.
