Mohammed Zahur Khayyam (b. 1927)

Hindi music director born in Jullundur. Studied for a while with Pandit Amarnath and with music directors Husnlal-Bhagatram. Went to Bombay to become a film actor, then worked in Lahore. Early films composed in association with Aziz Khan, Bulo C. Rani et al. Worked at Ranjit Studio. Sang a duet in Akhtar Hussein’s Romeo and Juliet (1947) and acted in S.D. Narang’s Yeh Hai Zindagi (1947). First independent composing assignment, Zia Sarhadi’s Footpath, including the hit Shyame- gam ki kasam sung by Talat Mahmood. Worked extensively in the traditional ghazal format. His collaboration with Sahir Ludhianvi on songs satirising Nehruite politics in Phir Subah Hogi (Chin-o-Arab hamara and Woh subah kabhi to aayegi) are definitive of 50s Hindi cinema’s engagement with existential realism. Made a comeback with the hit love songs of Yash Chopra’s Kabhi Kabhie and Muzaffar Ali’s Urdu period movie, Umrao Jaan. Also did music for Esmayeel Shroff’s love stories in the 80s. Credited as ‘Sharmaji’ on his first 4 films. Har Mandir Singh’s Geet Kosh suggests he also scored a film called Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke in the 60s.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1948: Heer Ranjha; 1949: Parda; 1950: Biwi; 1951: Pyar Ki Baatein; 1953: Footpath; 1954: Dhobi Doctor; Gul Bahar; 1955: Tatar Ka Chor; 1958: Lala Rukh; Phir Subah Hogi; 1960: Barood; Bambai Ki Billi; 1961: Shola Aur Shabnam; 1964: Shagun; 1965: Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain; 1966: Aakhri Khat; 1967: Mera Bhai Mera Dushman; 1974: Pyaase Dil; Sankalp; 1975: Sandhya; Mutthi Bhar Chawal; 1976: Kabhi Kabhie; 1977: Shankar Hussain; 1978: Trishul; 1979: Meena Kumari Ki Amar Kahani; Noorie; Khandaan; Chambal Ki Kasam; 1980: Thodisi Bewafayi; 1981: Ahista Ahista; Dard; Nakhuda; Umrao Jaan; Dil-e- Nadaan; 1982: Bazaar; Banwri; Dil Aakhir Dil Hai; Saval (H); 1983: Mehndi; Razia Sultan; 1984: Lorie; 1985: Bepanah; Tere Shaher Mein; 1986: Anjuman; 1988: Parbat Ke Us Paar; Ek Naya Rishta; 1989: Jaan-e- Wafaa; 1990: Jawani Zindabad.

Music