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New Delhi, February 22, 2008
For decades, songs like these have immortalized romance on the silver screen. Bringing life to poignant poetry with melody is the genius called Khayyam. Radio Farishta, the 24-hour classic
Mohammed Zahoor Khayyam Hashmi, popularly known as Khayyam composed music for the heart and from the heart. His name echoes the highest caliber of music in the Hindi film industry. Khayyam is part of what is known as 'the golden era' of Hindi films in the decades that spanned during the late 1950s through to the 1960s.
Famed for working on his own terms, Khayyam was one of the most expensive and sought-after composers of his time. In this exclusive series, Khayyam shares never-before-heard facts about his life along with hand-picked songs from his library with Radio Farishta listeners. The maestro shares memoirs on his mentors, contemporaries and the composers who set the trends in Hindi film music as he selects songs that tribute their contributions.
Zealous and passionate about his profession, Khayyam in his conversation with Radio Farishta listeners recites the verse: "Aye tayere lahuti us rizg se maut achchi, Jis rizg se aati ho parwaaz mein kotahi." by poet Allah-mein-Akbal. When loosely translated it means that it is better to die than to live on something that hampers progress and freedom. He also added, "I have never done and will never do any work that compromises my flight towards my dream."
As Khayyam shares more on his work and his reputation of being "choosy" he said, "As the music composer, I need to know the subject of the film. I need to know which part of the country the protagonists hail from. I need to know their dress, the lines written for lovers in a scene and I need to know the characters dreams and aspirations as people. People sometimes see this as an intrusion into their area of expertise and I have often declined work for the want of these answers."
Amongst the artists Khayyam appreciated, he said "Raj Kapoor was a progressive film-maker and one of the few who understood music." He also added, "Asha Bhosle's involvement and dedication to music were exemplary."
Admiring Khayyam's work, Seetal Iyer - Group Program Director at WorldSpace said, "A brilliant music composer and a great philosopher, Khayyam Saab's intense insights, unyielding beliefs, strong will and music is an inspiration. This series is a dedication to the maestro's phenomenal contribution to Hindi film music."
She also added, "At WorldSpace, we constantly endeavour to bring exclusive programmes that enrich our listener's experience. This series on Khayyam Saab is one such initiative that I am confident Radio Farishta listeners will appreciate and cherish."
Radio Farishta - the 24 hour Classic
Farishta is the 24- hour classic Hindi film music radio station on WorldSpace Satellite Radio. Farishta plays Hindi music from the earlier decades onwards, packaged in a way that will stimulate, inform, entertain and delight you, and lead you on a journey through the Golden Era of Hindi film music. It runs a host of shows starting with 'Saathiya' at 7am Monday through Friday; which promises to brighten your morning with a mix of light, gentle melodies.
Then there is Music Room, which makes Saturday afternoons nostalgic with some amazing love tracks and a wealth of information on how they came to be. For the perfect evening sunset mood, you have Dil Dhoondta Hai on weekdays, which plays some Hindi oldies that stood out for their lyrical brilliance. So tune into Radio Farishta and get to hear some of the best and greatest all time classic hits!
For further information please contact:
Genesis Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +91 80 2558-9122/3/4 :Extn. 131
Mob: +91 98862-72514
Fax: +91 80 2558-9125
e-mail: poornashree.b@bm.com
Website: www.genesis-bm.com
