Adieu to a Noble soul !

It  was a  shock  , rather a jolt to hear of the sad  and sudden demise of  our  Samadhin   ( daughter’s  mother in law ) , who  had a  cardiac arrest in the early morning hours  yesterday , at her home  near  Dhaliara . More shocking was the  fact  that  death occurred close on the heels  of the marriage of her niece, the ceremony  being  over  just 2-3 hours  before. She was not yet sixty. She was a remarkable person, ,a pious and religiously inclined  lady,   who was full of charity towards all and malice towards none. Perchance  my  son in law had come on  a short leave  from the  North East     to attend the  said marriage ,  and her daughter with her family was also there. She had  a special corner for my wife , whom she treated   more as a younger sister   than a Samadhin . The two would have  long  conversation  periodically on phone , between them sharing  all the  two could . The relatives and  near and dear ones  gathered  around  to offer condolences had only  nice things to say    about her, quite deservedly  . It was hard to console my son in law , visibly  shattered . On  24th instant, I had  posted a few lines about  my mother who had passed away  twenty seven  years back.
Now it is kids’ turn to  face the emotional  vacuum  and the practical challenges , to shoulder all responsibilities  and  to take special care of the  old  father  left behind.

Peace be to the Departed Soul ! Amen !!

S.H.Bihari

Today is the death anniversary of Shamsul Huda Bihari- S.H.Bihari for short- the noted lyricist of Hindi Cinema , who was active in the latter half of the 20th century.Known for penning Romantic songs, his filmography includes films like Shart, Kashmir Ki Kali,Bandish,Ek Jhalak,Inspector, Yahudi ki Ladki,Dilli Ka Thug, Ek Musafir Ek Haseena,Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi,Saawan Ki Ghata, Muhabbat Zindagi Hai, Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan, Duniya,Humsaya, Kismat, Shatranj,Pagla Kahin Ka, Prem Rog, Teri Meherbaaniyan and many others.
The notable songs penned by him include -
Hansta hua noorani chehra....
 Zara haule haule chalo moray ......,
Na ye chand hoga, na tarah rahenge.....
Bahut shukariya, badi meharbani....... Taareef karun kya uski .......
Kajra Muhabbat wala.....
Chain se humko kabhi aap ne jeene na diya......
Chehre se zara aanchal, jab aapne sarkaya......
Chham chham baaje re payaliya....
.
 Dil chhed koi aisa naghma.......
 Hai Duniya usi ki zamana usi ka.......
 Isharon isharon mein dil lene wale......
Lakhon hain yahan dil wale...........
Tumhara chahane wala khuda ki duniya mein........
Tumse mil kar na jaane kyon.......etc.
It is worthy of note that he was a favorite Lyricist of composer O.P.Nayyar.

The died this day in 1987, aged 64/65.
Our humble tributes !

Khayyam

Today is the birth anniversary of Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi, known by mononym Khayyam, a renowned  Composer and Music Director.Born this day in 1927, at Rahon, Punjab, he left home at an early age to live with his uncle at Delhi, where he  received training in music from the classical Vocalist & Composer, Pandit Amarnath. Later he went to Lahore to find work in films .There , Baba Chishti , the renowned Punjabi  Music Composer took him as his assistant . He worked with Baba Chishti for six months and came to Ludhiana in 1943.
After a stint in the British Indian Army  during the Second World War, he went to  Bombay and under the pseudonym of Sharmaji, of the Sharmaji- Verma ji duo, composed music for the first time for the 1948 film Heer Ranjha.His partner Rahman Verma left for Pakistan post partition and Khayyam was on his own, going solo. His early break was in 1950 film Biwi, in which a song sung by Mohammad Rafi, became an instant hit.
The 1953 film Footpath brought him real recognition when the ghazal 'Sham e  Gham ki Qasam....' sung by Talat Mahmood became very popular with the listeners.This was followed by another hit 1958 film Phir Subah Hogi, in which the duet ' Woh subah kabhi to ayegi....' written by Sahir Ludhiyanavi, and sung beautifully by Mukesh & Asha Bhosle, became very popular, another popular hit from the same film was  'Aasman pe hai khuda, aur zameen pe hum.....'
 Subsequently, the lilting  melodies composed by him for Shola Aur Shabnam, Shagun, Aakhri Khat became hits.Another shot in the arm for Khayyam was the 1976 film Kabhi Kabhi, all the songs of which became hits.
After this the songs composed by him for films Trishul, Thodi si Bewafaai, Bazar, Dard, Noorie, Naakhuda, Sawaal & Khandaan.
The melodies composed for Umrao Jaan and Razia Sultan are other gems from his kitty. A two time winner of Filmfare Best Music Director Award, he also received National Award for Best Music Director, Life Time Achievement Award. He was also awarded Padma Bhushan in 2011.
He died last year on 19th August .
Our humble tributes to the maestro !