Legendary music composer Mohammed Zahur 'Khayyam' Hashmi, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Monday, 19 August. The 92-year-old had been in the ICU for a lung infection since 4 August. Veteran lyricist Gulzar, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, Poonam Dhillon and singers Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam were among those who arrived at the late singer’s Juhu residence to pay their last respects on Tuesday, 20 August.
Khayyam was a recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Padma Bhushan. The veteran composer, lyricist and writer started his music career in Ludhiana in 1943 at the age of 17 and became known for evergreen soundtracks for Hindi films like Kabhie Kabhie and Umrao Jaan. The music for Umrao Jaan is considered the jewel in the crown of Khayyam's compositions and earned him a National Award and Filmfare Award among other honours.
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