Mohammed Zahur “Khayyam” Hashmi, popularly know as Khayyam is one of the most recognisable faces of Indian music. Recently, on the occasion of his 89th birthday, he came up with a pleasant surprise for the world of music. He pledged his entire wealth of approximately 10 crore rupees to the Khayyam Jagjeet Kaur KPG Charitable Trust, which he formed with his wife. This special trust will be dedicated to aid and support budding artists and technicians of the Hindi film industry.

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President Smt. Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Bhushan award to Shri Khayyam in 2011

President Smt. Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Bhushan award to Shri Khayyam in 2011

The many awards and accolades bestowed upon Khayyam include the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in 2011 and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. In an illustrious career spread over six decades, he has given us numerous musicals jewels like “Akele Mein Woh Ghabrate Toh Honge,” from Biwi, “Woh Subha Kabhi to Ayegi” from Phir Subha Hogi, “Jeet Hi Leinge Baazi Hum Tum” from Shola aur Shabnam, and many more! He teamed up with Sahir Ludhyanvi for Yash Chopra’s Kabhi Kabhi. Songs from the film, including “Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayaal Ata Hai,” and “Tere Chehre Sey Nazar nahi Hatti”, are perhaps his crowning glory. He has truly worked and pioneered in what is now referred to as the ‘golden era of music’ in the Hindi film industry.

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Khayyam’s selfless act for the talented yet struggling artists in the industry comes at a time when the competition is ruthless. Between the pressure and insecurities, many artists never manage to showcase their work to the world. There are others who often get overshadowed because of the prevailing nepotism and unjust favouritism. Khayyam, who himself bore the struggle and hardship to get himself established, shares a deep empathy with the younger generation of music, as he feels that they are the future custodians of his craft.

Khayyam is truly a rare living legend.

-Shkhar Goyal

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