The Khayyam Playlist: Timeless Gems From A Master Composer

Few composers in Hindi cinema have created music as soulful and enduring as Khayyam. With a career spanning decades, his melodies steeped in poetry, simplicity, and depth continue to resonate across generations. From stirring anthems of hope to haunting ballads of love and loss, Khayyam’s music remains a timeless treasure. Here’s a playlist of some of his most unforgettable compositions.

1. Tu mere saath rahega munne (Trishul): Arguably the finest composition of Khayyam’s opulent oeuvre, this stunning song about a mother seeking justice from her son for all the wrongs done to her, is the career-defining song of Khayyam and poet Sahir Ludhianvi’s career. Khayyam once told me, “My composition was all right. Sahir Saab ne likha bahot achcha hai. Lekin sach pucha jaye toh Lataji ne gaane ko char-chand laga diya.”
2. Ae dil-e-nadaan (Razia Sultan): A very close second is this homage to the spirit of sublime stillness is this number. Can we imagine either Lataji or Khayyam’s repertoire without Ae dil-e-nadaan? An entire thesis can be written on the genesis and creation of this timeless creation. And to think it may not have happened! Director Kamal Amrohi first went to Laxmikant-Pyarelal for the music of Razia Sultan.
3. Hazaar rahen mud ke dekhin (Thodisi Bewafaai): Gulzar Saab wrote this haunting Lata-Kishore duet on a fractured marriage based on his own marriage to Raakhee Gulzar who jokes, “We should be thankful, hamari shaadi na toot-ti toh yeh gaana nahin hota.”
4. Mere chanda mere nanhe (Aakhri Khat): Lataji’s youngest co-singer ever, a toddler, gets to lisp, Mama in this enchanting deeply moving lullaby. Does he know how lucky he is?
5. Main pal do pal ka shayar hoon (Kabhi Kabhie): Sahir Ludhianvi’s autobiographical song on the evanescence of fame… Mukesh sings for Amitabh Bachchan in Khayyam’s most popular soundtrack.
6. Jeet hi lenge baazi hum tum (Shola Aur Shabnam): “How did he do it? Kaise banaya Khayyam Saab ne yeh gaana?” Lataji used to marvel at this exquisite composition. This is the only song in this excellent soundtrack to feature Lataji. Back then, he couldn’t afford her.
7. Dekho lo aaj hum jee bhar ke (Bazaar): This emotion picture had many outstanding songs. My pick is this poignant heartbreaking number sung by Khayyam’s wife Jagjit Kaur where a woman walks into her death after telling her beloved to look at her for the last time. Sob!
8. Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi (Phir Subah Hogi): This Sahir scripted song about a Shining India is still suffused with hope. One day, maybe one day… Mukesh and Asha Bhosle join chords for a song that is as relevant today as it was in 1958.
9. Maana teri nazar mein tera pyar hum nahin (Ahista Ahista): Originally composed for the Jeetendra-Sulakshana Pandit starrer Khandaan, this Khayyam composition sung with an aching sorrow by Sulakshana, finally landed on Padmini Kolhapure’s lips in the film Ahista Ahista.
10. Justuju jisski tthi (Umrao Jaan): From the quartet of Asha Bhosle masterpieces in Muzaffar Ali’s gem, the obvious pick is Dil cheez kya hai. But try this song about the quest for love: Justuju jisski thi usko toh na paaya humnein / Iss bahaane se magar dekh lee duniya humnein. Wah, Shahrayar, wah!

Also Read: ‘Balika Badhu’ Completes 49 Years, Amit Kumar Recalls The ‘Bade Achche Lagte Hain’ Experience